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AIRA
221 W. Stewart Ave.
Medford, OR 97501
(541) 858–1665
aira@aira.org

CONFERENCE

SCHEDULE

WED THU FRI SAT

Pre-Conference
Wed, June 13, 2018

7:30AM-8:30AM

Breakfast

8:45AM-5:15PM

Bankruptcy Taxation

“Making Insolvency Music under the Tax Cuts and (Accounting) Jobs Act”

During this all day bankruptcy tax program, our panel of insolvency tax experts will assess how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will create many planning opportunities and how it will impact insolvent corporations and bankruptcy estates of individuals and pass through entities. We will also explore tax planning and compliance, including paperless filing and wage claims; computing, paying and filing post-petition payroll taxes; the bankruptcy estate’s ability to recover payments to tax authorities; and opportunities and risks created by tax liens, including a 10 year reach back when standing in the shoes of the IRS. Our panel will also provide insights and an overview for filing bankruptcy estate income tax returns, and how to advise clients to minimize taxes under the new tax law.

Speakers:

Donald Barg, CIRA

Barg & Henson CPA’s, PLLC

Andrew Barg, CIRA

Barg & Henson CPA’s, PLLC

Alan D. Barton, CIRA

KPMG LLP

Jay D. Crom, CIRA

Bachecki, Crom & Co., LLP

Alana Gabrielson, CIRA

Bean Hunt Harris & Co.

James R. Kelley LL.M.

Neal & Harwell, PLC

Kimberly J. Lam, CIRA

Bachecki, Crom & Co., LLP

Robert Liquerman LL.M.

KPMG LLP

Lauren McNair

Green & Sklarz, LLC

Robert L. Nistendirk

Woomer, Nistendirk & Associates, PLLC

Jack F. Williams, CIRA, CDBV

Georgia State University College of Law

Concurrent

Financial Advisors' Toolbox

This all day session is geared towards educating an intermediate practitioner on the skills needed to prepare and analyze a bankruptcy Plan of Reorganization or Liquidation. Throughout the day, discussions will include the need for, and preparation of, various components of the Plan, including the disclosure statement, claim classes, liquidation analysis and feasibility projections. Session topics include Class Determination, Feasibility, Disbursing Agent and Administrative Issues and Concerns, Litigations, and Post-Confirmation Corporate Structure.

Speakers:

Kate Aiello

Fox Rothschild LLP

Justin Alberto

Bayard, P.A.

Patrick Diercks, CIRA

Clear Thinking Group LLC

Timothy Dragelin

FTI Consulting, Inc.

Sheryl Giugliano

Diamond McCarthy LLP

Jean Hosty

Piper Jaffray & Co.

Brian Jordan, CIRA

Crowe Horwath

Jeannie Kim

Buchalter

Karl Knechtel, CIRA

Knechtel Advisors

Howard Magaliff

Rich Michaelson Magaliff, LLP

Brett Moore

Porzio Bromberg & Newman, P.C.

Hon. Jerrold N. Poslusny Jr

United States Bankruptcy Court District of New Jersey

Brian Ryniker, CIRA

CBIZ MHM, LLC

Daniel Waxman

Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP

12:15PM-1:45PM

Luncheon & Keynote

Speaker:

Keith Hegger

CFO, Nashville Predators

6:30PM-8:00PM

34th Annual Opening Reception

Sponsored by:

Conference – Day 1
Thu, June 14, 2018

7:30AM-8:20AM

Breakfast

Sponsored by:

8:30AM-8:40AM

Opening Remarks

Speakers:

Joel Waite

Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP

8:40AM-9:30AM

Keynote

Speaker:

James W. Bradford

Former Dean, Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management

Sponsored by:

9:30AM-10:45AM

The Healthcare Industry: Problems Impacting Providers

This plenary session offers a panel of professionals and a judge with extensive experience dealing in the healthcare industry, including distressed situations. The panel will discuss the ongoing and new challenges that providers today face including, changes to Obamacare, Qui Tam/Whistleblower Litigation, Consolidation, Alliances/Joint Ventures, Technology Designation.

Speakers:

Dr. Ernest Franklin

Baylor Scott & White Health

Brian Grant

Conway MacKenzie, Inc.

James Hadfield

Configure Partners, LLC

Angela Humphreys

Bass, Berry & Sims PLC

Hon. Randal S. Mashburn

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Tennessee

10:45AM-11:00AM

Refreshment Break

11:00AM-12:00PM

Insolvency and Cyber-related Claims: A Brave New World

The panel will discuss potential pre-petition and post-petition cyber-related claims, recoveries and practical considerations for insolvency and restructuring advisors in the brave new world of data security and cybercrime.

Speakers:

Jacqueline Calderin

Agentis

Leanne Gould

Gould Consulting Services

William J. Holley

Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs LLP

Carl N. Kunz III

Morris James LLP

Excursions

12:30PM-3:45PM

"Walk-Eat-Nashville" Food Tour

Don’t miss this walking food tour that offers a taste of the people, places and dishes that make Nashville the new culinary capital of the South. The tour includes 5 tasting stops over 3 hours and a 1.5–mile moderate walk, and behind–the–scenes interactions with chefs and food industry experts. Tasting locations include a mix of restaurants and specialty food shops and each include savory and sweet items. No alcohol is provided as part of the cost of the tour.

East Nashville Tour – East Nashville put Music City on the culinary map, and it continues to wow with an ever–expanding food–and–drink scene two miles across the river from downtown Nashville. Eat like a local at chef–owned restaurants and specialty food shops in this creative, historic neighborhood.

Cost: $125

Sponsored by:

1:00PM-5:00PM

Sporting Clay Shooting with Lunch

This excursion begins with a catered lunch by Jim ‘n Nick’s famous Bar-B-Q at the Nashville Gun Club. After a safety briefing, you’re off with your team for an afternoon of shooting 50 sporting clays targets. Sporting clays shooting is a form of clay pigeon shooting often described as "golf with a shotgun" because a typical course includes from 10 to 20 different shooting stations laid out over natural terrain. No two sporting clays courses are alike, and terrain and background have a lot to do with how targets are presented. Sporting clays courses are designed to simulate the hunting of ducks, pheasants, other upland birds, and even rabbits. Since there is no set season and it can be shot at any time, many hunters shoot sporting clays to further their wingshooting skills during the off-season. This excursion was the most popular last year so reserve your spot now!

Cost: $150

Sponsored by:

2:00PM-4:30PM

iRide Nashville Segway Tour

In the heart of Music City USA, a Segway tour gives you the most unique and relaxing way to enjoy downtown Nashville. Within two and a half hours, you'll learn how to ride a Segway and get a guided tour around the most popular sites in Nashville. On your Segway, you will travel approximately 5 miles through downtown Nashville covering such landmarks as the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Country Music Hall of Fame, Bridgestone Arena, Fort Nashborough, Bicentennial Mall, Farmer's Market, and the Tennessee State Capitol. We'll even cover some areas that most tours can't get to, because you're on your very own Segway!

Cost: $115

Sponsored by:

2:30PM-4:30PM

Self-guided Tour of The Hermitage

General Jackson welcomed many important visitors to The Hermitage throughout his life. Join AIRA for this tour of Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage – Home of the People’s President – which includes a guided tour of the mansion and a self-guided tour of the gardens, grounds and other historic buildings. Your ticket also provides access to the exhibit gallery and gift store.

Cost: $45

Sponsored by:

Festivities

6:30PM-7:30PM

Cocktail Reception

Sponsored by:

7:30PM-8:30PM

Annual Dinner

Wine sponsored by:

8:30PM-9:30PM

Presentation of Awards

Sponsored by:

9:30PM-11:00PM

Dessert Reception

Sponsored by:

Conference – Day 2
Fri, June 15, 2018

7:30AM-8:20AM

Breakfast

Sponsored by:

8:30AM-9:30AM

Avoidance Actions and Valuations

During this session, the panel will address the recent Supreme Court case, Merit Management Group, LP v. FTI Consulting, Inc The question presented in this case is narrow: does section 546(e) of the Bankruptcy Code prohibit avoidance of a transfer to a financial institution when the financial institution acts only as an agent in receipt of the payment and is not the ultimate beneficiary of the payment? While the issue presented may be narrow, the case may have broader applicability in the context of litigation over failed leveraged buy-outs and whether a bankruptcy trustee will be able to succeed in litigation over the failure. The panelists will address the case from both a transactional and litigation perspective, considering the impact of the case on leveraged transactional structures moving forward. Our distinguished panel includes the lawyer who originally brought the underlying case and argued it up through the 7th Circuit.

Speakers:

David E. Gordon

Polsinelli

Gregory S. Schwegmann

Reid Collins & Tsai LLP

Hon. Tracey N. Wise

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, E.D. Kentucky

Concurrent

Generation X, Gen Z, Millennials and Baby Boomers: The Sector Wreckers—Demographic Demise of Napkins, Golf, Shopping Malls, and …?

Which generation’s buying habits will create restructuring opportunities in the next decade? Which market sectors will ride the demographic wave to success? Using each generation’s motivations and drivers, this panel will debate the consumption that moves markets and worries municipalities. Our panelists will help you bridge the generation gap between industry winners and losers, and make a few predictions of their own about the source of future business in a generational economy.

Speakers:

Kristina M. Johnson

Jones Walker LLP

Teresa C. Kohl

SSG Capital Advisors

Ken Mann

Equity Partners HG

Suzanne Yoon

Kinzie Capital

9:30AM-10:30AM

The Art of the Turnaround - Advising the Lender

Advising a Lender prior to or during a restructuring is critical. While some Lenders want to rush in and immediately exercise their rights under the loan agreement, that may not always be the best option. The panel will discuss strategies for advising the Lender with reasonable/multiple options to achieving their maximum return.

Speakers:

John Buck

DW Partners

Annette Jarvis

Dorsey & Whitney LLP

Brad Sharp

Development Specialists, Inc.

Teri Stratton, CIRA

Piper Jaffray & Co.

Concurrent

Wage and Other Employment Issues Facing Troubled Companies (SBMM*)

This panel will discuss how wage and hour laws and employment issues can influence or even trigger a bankruptcy filing. State employment laws and employee classifications can significantly hinder an operating company's ability to reorganize and can add additional uncertainty to an already challenging process. The panel will address the impact of these types of claims on the bankruptcy process, including the decision of a company to file a bankruptcy, how these claims are handled by the debtor, jurisdictional issues, the role of a creditors committee, the treatment of these claims in a chapter 11 plan, and the impact on other creditors and case administration. The panel will also touch on industries that are ripe for employment law types of claims and recent pertinent cases.

Speakers:

Dr. Stephen G. Bronars

Edgeworth Economics

Kevin Clancy, CIRA

CohnReznick LLP

Jonathan T. Edwards

Alston & Bird LLP

Daniel H. Reiss

Levene, Neale, Bender, Yoo & Brill L.L.P.

10:30AM-11:00AM

Refreshment Break

Sponsored by:

11:00AM-12:00PM

The Art of the Turnaround - Advising the Debtor

Advising a Debtor prior to or during a restructuring is critical. While some Debtors want to grasp onto the only remaining authority they have by delaying or ignoring the lenders and/or creditors, this may not always be the best option. The panel will discuss strategies for advising the Debtor with reasonable/multiple options for transparency and working with lenders and/or creditors to achieve the best outcome for the Debtor.

Speakers:

Todd M. Schwartz

Paul Hastings LLP

H. Denny Taylor Jr.

Capital Alignment Partners

Robert Tormey, CIRA

Traverse LLC

Mike Wyse

Wyse Advisors, LLC

Concurrent

Valuation of Distressed Closely Held Companies (SBMM*)

This session is designed to give a brief overview of how to value a distressed closely held company. During the session, the panel will cover traditional valuation methods as well as the particular complexities in valuing a closely held and distressed company, including key case law that has addressed valuation in the bankruptcy context.

Speakers:

Robert Dempsey

Polsinelli

Steve Fleming, CIRA, CDBV

PwC

Scott Jackson

Houlihan Lokey

Suzanne Roski, CIRA, CDBV

Protiviti Inc.

12:00PM-1:30PM

Luncheon & Keynote: Unique Challenges of Running a Department of Justice

Speaker:

Hon. Alberto R. Gonzales

Dean and Doyle Rogers Distinguished Professor of Law at Belmont University College of Law, and former Attorney General of the United States, Belmont University College of Law

Sponsored by:

1:30PM-2:30PM

Healthcare Receiverships: Emerging Issues and Alternative Solutions (SBMM*)

Healthcare workouts are often complex with many competing legal and economic interests involved. Restructuring professionals must employ the right structure to maximize value and recovery for creditors. The structure must address the collection of receivables and licensing issues that can derail a turnaround. This panel will focus on the use of receiverships in healthcare cases and explore the emerging issues in state court receiverships involving multi-state healthcare businesses. The panel will look at federal receiverships as a viable option and discuss when you ultimately need to bear the cost for a chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.

Speakers:

Lawrence R. Ahern III

Brown & Ahern

Jeffrey K. Garfinkle

Buchalter

David W. Houston

Burr & Forman

Clare Moylan

Healthcare Management Partners

Concurrent

Best Practices from the Bench, Bar, Boardroom and Bean Counters

This distinguished and experienced panel will bring decades of experience in law, business and finance together to provide a unique perspective of how it all comes together in troubled company environments. From what works and does not work in retaining professionals, all the way to how the court may perceive the professionals and issues during the resolution of a case, this panel will engage in a collaborative discussion giving attendees an exceptional learning experience, plus take home tips and best practices to enhance and grow their career and business.

Speakers:

Michael Fahlman, CIRA

Berkeley Research Group, LLC

M. Natasha Labovitz

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

David Miller, CIRA, CDBV

Alvarez & Marsal

Hon. Shelley D. Rucker

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, E.D. Tennessee

2:30PM-3:30PM

Please Release Me - Let Me Go!

Releases are an important part of getting deals done in bankruptcy. This panel will discuss recent developments (including the Millennium decision out of Delaware), the current status of the law and differences among jurisdictions in obtaining approval of debtor releases, third-party releases and exculpation provisions in Chapter 11 plans. The panel will also discuss the extent to which releases can be obtained through debtor-in-possession financing orders, 9019 settlements and structured dismissals (post–Jevic).

Speakers:

Justin Brass

Jefferies LLC

Hon. Kevin J. Carey

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware

Ken Enos

Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP

Lisa M. Schweitzer

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

Concurrent

Restructuring Companies Dependent on the Federal Government

This panel will explore the nuances of restructuring companies that derive a large portion of its revenues from the federal government. The panelists will share their real-world experiences to discuss restructurings from a regulatory, litigation and financial perspective related to the higher education (both Non-profit and For-profit institutions), mortgage servicing and student loan debt collection sectors.

Speakers:

Sue R. Blazis

BMO Financial Group

Katherine R. Catanese

Foley & Lardner LLP

Anthony J. Guida Jr.

Duane Morris LLP

William Nolan, CIRA

FTI Consulting, Inc.

3:30PM-4:00PM

Refreshment Break

Sponsored by:

4:00PM-5:00PM

Unprecedented Times in the Municipal Market

Historically, the municipal market has enjoyed very few and infrequent governmental defaults, let alone bankruptcies. However, there have been several notable recent governmental bankruptcies and fiscally distressed municipalities are becoming much more commonplace. Market participants and their advisors are increasingly confronting the reality that there are common elements of municipal stress around legacy pension and health care obligations, aging and/or declining populations, post-Great Recession lagging revenue growth, and reductions in federal program funding. The panel will discuss the interplay between legacy obligations and municipal credits, increasing investor preference for dedicated tax revenue credits versus general obligation bonds and how these issues differ from corporate finance practices.

Speakers:

Renee Boicourt

Lamont Financial Services Corp.

Maria J. DiConza

Greenberg Traurig, LLP

Kent Hiteshew

EY and Senior Fellow, Marron Institute of Urban Management

Jim Schwartz

BlackRock, Inc.

Concurrent

Restructuring Businesses Impacted by Natural Disasters (SBMM*)

Unfortunately, natural disasters are a part of everyday life. The year 2017 unleashed a wrath of devastating fires, horrific storms and unprecedented flooding that has affected the U.S. and its territories. This panel will discuss the challenges and unique issues inherent when assisting and restructuring businesses impacted by natural disasters. The panel will explore the positives: access to FEMA and SBA loans, and insurance claims, and the negatives: lack of electricity, gasoline, clean water; difficult access to customers and vendors; denial of insurance coverages; public infrastructure that is unusable, and more. This panel will address options to help companies in financial and operational distress, despite often insurmountable hurdles, like access to bankruptcy courts, while providing insight and direction that will help restructuring professionals navigate these challenging situations.

Speakers:

Soneet Kapila, CIRA

KapilaMukamal, LLP

José Monge-Robertín, CIRA

Monge Robertín Advisors, LLC

Paul Singerman

Berger Singerman

Hon. Brian K. Tester

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Dist. of Puerto Rico

7:00PM-10:00PM

Dinner at Wildhorse Saloon

Don’t Walk The Line – Dance It!

Don’t miss an evening at the World–Famous Wildhorse Saloon, a live music and dance destination with three floors of action-packed fun! It’s a restaurant, bar, concert site, dance venue and TV studio–all under one roof. More than 1.5 million music lovers stampede through their doors annually to catch the hottest in live entertainment, learn the newest dance steps and dine on their award-winning Southern smokehouse cuisine. The likes of Darius Rucker, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, Etta James, Gladys Knight, Heart, Pat Benatar, Foreigner, 38 Special, Rick Springfield, Big & Rich, Ringo Starr and many more have graced their stage.

HERE there’s a strict no–holds-barred–policy, where you have permission to forget the world outside and get lost—IN the music, ON the dance floor, or WITH the taste of award–winning BBQ.

HERE you’ll become part of the show, not just part of the audience. Because HERE there’s little distinction between dance floor and stage door. We’re one of those places where you’re encouraged to dance the line, not walk it.

AIRA will have our own space with hors d’oeuvres, a buffet dinner, open bar and access to the live music and dancing!

Cost: $150

Sponsored by:

Conference – Day 3
Sat, June 16, 2018

7:30AM-8:20AM

Breakfast

Sponsored by:

8:30AM-9:45AM

Auctions: Law, Tips and the Cutting Edge

Listen to industry leaders give their views on the law and the latest trends in auctions. The program will provide insights and tips on the dos and don'ts of running an auction.

Speakers:

Paul K. Ferdinands

King & Spalding LLP

Denise Lorenzo, CIRA

Zolfo Cooper

Ben Nortman

Hilco

Hon. Charles M. Walker

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Tennessee

Scott Williams

Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell

9:45AM-10:00AM

Refreshment Break

Sponsored by:

10:00AM-11:15AM

Recent Developments on Conflicts and Compliance Duties

During this session, our panel will address a number of mini case studies presenting dilemmas insolvency and restructuring practitioners may encounter. These include issues involving multiple party representations and developments related to evolving responsibilities for certain professionals to report non-compliance with laws and regulations.

Speakers:

Hon. Joan N. Feeney

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, D. MA

William K. Harrington

U.S. Trustee

S. Gregory Hays, CIRA

Hays Financial Consulting LLC

James M. Lukenda, CIRA

Huron

Jordana L. Renert

Arent Fox LLP

*Small Business / Middle Market Session

Cancellation/Refund Policy

Written cancellation for the conference or any excursions must be received by midnight on Monday, May 13, 2019 for a full refund less a $75 cancellation processing fee. No refunds will be given after May 13, 2019; substitutions are allowed.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorship with the AIRA provides exposure and visibility to the decision making experts in the insolvency and restructuring field. To discuss available opportunities contact Cheryl Campbell at (541) 646–9261 or ccampbell@aira.org.

National Registry of CPE Sponsors

"Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors" is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.learningmarket.org.