Wednesday   |   Thursday   |   Friday   |   Saturday

Wednesday, June 5 (Pre-conference)
7:30 – 8:30 am Continental Breakfast
8:30 am – 5:15 pm Concurrent Session 1
Bankruptcy Taxation
  Speakers Donald R. Barg, CIRA, BARG & HENSON, P.C.
Dennis Bean, CIRA, Bean Hunt Harris & Company
Elizabeth Berry, CIRA, Elizabeth C. Berry CPA PLLC
Jay D. Crom, CIRA, Bachecki Crom & Company LLP
Joseph Dawson, CIRA, Dawson & Gerbic LLP
M. Kathleen Klein, CIRA, M. Kathleen Klein CPA
Robert Liquerman, KPMG LLP
Hon. Mark Wallace, US Bankruptcy Court, C. Dist. CA
 

Topics Include:

  • Corporate Tax: Parent stock used to satisfy sub debt and cancellation of debt income-recourse, nonrecourse, timing and disregarded entities
  • Views from the Bench: Disputed Ownership Funds and Liquidating Trusts
  • Offers in compromise, installment agreements and individual tax liability discharge and other exit strategies
  • Individual income tax planning and compliance, the impact of case dismissal, taxation of foreclosures, tax treatment of cancellation of indebtedness
  Concurrent Session 2
Financial Advisors' Toolbox - Maximizing Value in the World of Liquidations
  Speakers Co-Chair - Leah Eisenberg, Esq., Arent Fox LLP
Co-Chair - Brian Ryniker, CIRA, CBIZ MHM, LLC
Steve Agran, CIRA, MorrisAnderson
Jacqueline Calderin, Esq., Ehrenstein
Charbonneau Calderin
Lee Diercks, Clear Thinking Group
Jon Friedland, Esq., Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC
Dean C. Harvalis, U.S. Trustee, Chicago
Mark Hebbeln, Esq., Foley & Lardner LLP
Dennis Kalten, CIRA, Crowe Horwath LLP
Karl Knechtel, CIRA, CBIZ MHM, LLC
Lee LaBine, PNC Bank
Brett Moore, Esq., Porzio Bromberg & Newman P.C.
Jerrold Poslusny, Jr., Esq., Cozen O'Connor
Shane Ramsey, Esq. - Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
Jeffrey Rothleder, Esq., Arent Fox LLP
Catherine Steege, Esq., Jenner & Block (panel trustee)
 

This session will provide an overview of liquidation alternatives and discussions related to preserving value in liquidation proceedings, both in and out of bankruptcy; preservation of avoidance actions and preservation of documents; concluding a liquidation by way of structured dismissals and creditor trusts; and avoidance actions, including preferences, fraudulent transfers, recharacterization, equitable subordination, constructive trusts and ponzi schemes and related defenses and case examples.
12:00 – 1:50 pm Luncheon Program
Emerging Health Care Privacy Concerns in Bankruptcy
  Speaker Camisha L. Simmons, Esq., Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
  Sponsored by WilmerHale
 

Biological data related to health care is a valuable commodity. Laws, including bankruptcy law, are not keeping up with the rate of technological change and the consequent emerging health care privacy concerns related to biological data. The presentation explores some of the gray areas in the law with respect to emerging privacy concerns related to technological advances in health care.
6:30 – 8:00 pm AIRA's 29th Annual Conference Opening Reception
  Sponsored by Conway MacKenzie, Inc.; Duane Morris LLP
 
Thursday, June 6
7:30 – 8:30 am Continental Breakfast
Sponsored by McGladrey LLP
8:30 – 8:40 am Introductory Remarks
  Speaker Anthony V. Sasso, CIRA, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP
8:40 – 9:30 am Keynote Presentation
  Speaker Robert Wiedemer, Managing Director, Absolute Investment Management
  Sponsored by WeiserMazars LLP
9:30 – 10:45 am Where is the Industry Going?
  Moderator Keith Shapiro, Esq., Greenberg Traurig, LLP
  Speaker William A. Brandt, Jr., Development Specialists, Inc.
Durc Savini, Peter J. Solomon Company
10:45 – 11:00 am Morning Break
  Sponsored by Bachecki Crom & Company LLP
11:00 – Noon Concurrent Session 1
Healthcare After the Election
  Moderator Michael Lane, CIRA, Hammond Hanlon Camp LLC
  Speakers Frank Flosman, Aetna
Felicia Perlman, Esq., Skadden, Arps, Slate,
Meagher & Flom LLP
Brian Pottinger, GE
Hon. Barry Russell, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, C.Dist.CA
Karen Teitelbaum, Mt. Sanai Medical Center
  Description Lessons learned from Healthcare Reform - responding to fiscal pressures; search for capital; mergers, partnerships and joint ventures. What will the industry look like in 3-5 years - shifting markets; winners and losers.
  Concurrent Session 2
Fiscal Cliff – The Impact of Resolution (or Lack of) and the 2012 Election
  Moderator Charles Braley, AlixPartners, LLP
  Speakers Thomas Davis, Deloitte & Touche LLP (Former U.S. Congressman)
Robert Dold, Former U.S. Congressman
Adolfo Laurenti, Mesirow Financial
Robert Weidemer, Absolute Investment Management
  Description Examining the intersection of politics, debt and the economy and exploring the impact on businesses today and tomorrow.
Noon – 5:00 pm Social Activities
6:30 – 7:30 pm Cocktail Reception
  Sponsored by Deloitte CRG
7:30 – 9:30 pm Annual Banquet and Awards Dinner
  Speaker Lynn J. Osmond, President & CEO, Chicago Architecture Foundation
9:30 – 11:00 pm Dessert Reception
  Sponsored by Mesirow Financial Consulting LLC; Protiviti Inc.
 
Friday, June 7
7:30 – 8:30 am Continental Breakfast
  Sponsored by Bederson & Company LLP
8:30 – 9:45 am Concurrent Session 1
SBMM * - Hot Topics in the Middle Market
  Moderator Van Conway, CIRA, CDBV, Conway MacKenzie, Inc.
  Speakers Larry Ahern, Esq., Burr & Forman LLP
David Berliner, CIRA, BDO USA, LLP
Jason Jones, CIRA, Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP
Scott Schreiber, Esq., Stahl Cowen Crowley Addis LLC
  Description The panel will describe the critical issues impacting financing, restructuring and investing in the current middle market environment.
  Concurrent Session 2
FDIC – Too Big to Fail?
  Moderator Robert Stradtman, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP
  Speakers Joseph Fellerman, FDIC, Office of Complex Financial Institutions
Michael Krimminger, Esq., Cleary Gottlieb LLP
Ivan Lehon, Ernst & Young Capital Advisors, LLC
Deirdre McGuinness, Wells Fargo Capital Finance
  Description The Dodd-Frank Act and a host of foreign laws and regulations have been enacted to give regulators the tools to avert the widespread economic impacts of the failures of the next Lehman or AIG. The implications for insolvency practitioners is significant, requiring analysis and understanding to properly advise clients that have been deemed or may be deemed a SIFI. This panel's objective is to raise awareness and discuss the following key factors:
  • Limitations of the US Bankruptcy Code that have arisen under Title I "Living Will" regulatory requirements
  • The FDIC's proposed "Title II" strategy for SIFI resolution
  • Actions being taken by global regulators that could impact US-based SIFI resolution plans or options
  • Actions underway by the global regulatory community to mitigate cross-border challenges to resolution
  • Potential actions SIFIs may be forced to take if still deemed "Too Big To Fail"
  Concurrent Session 3
Emerging Trends in Valuation
  Moderator Matthew Steele, CDBV, Mesirow Financial Consulting, LLC
  Speakers Hon. Kevin J. Carey, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, D. Del.
Jeff Risius, Stout Risius Ross, Inc.
Robert J. Stark, Esq., Brown Rudnick, LLP
Michael Vitti, Duff & Phelps
  Description Our panelists will provide their views on emerging valuation trends in the bankruptcy and litigation environments. Topics will include the strengths and weaknesses of market evidence versus traditional valuation techniques when valuing distressed businesses as well as a discussion on the various standards of value.
9:45 – 10:00 am Morning Break
  Sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
10:00 – 11:00 am Concurrent Session 1
SBMM * - Accomplishing Small Business Transactions
  Moderator Joseph Tedesco, High Ridge Partners
  Speakers Elias Boufis, Driehaus Private Equity
Richard Schmitt, AccuVal
  Description The panel will discuss the unique issues faced in navigating a small business transaction in today's market place. Topics will include financial and operational assessment, financial and management restructuring and traditional bank financing vs. non-bank financing.
  Concurrent Session 2
IP Valuation Issues in Bankruptcy
  Moderator Guy Davis, CIRA, CDBV, Protiviti Inc
  Speakers Rick Braun, FTI Consulting, Inc.
Michael Dansky, Capstone Advisory Group LLC
William Sugden, Esq., Alston & Bird LLP
  Description Discussion topics include patents, copyrights, trademarks, customer lists, domain names, and goodwill; valuation techniques; protecting and assigning intellectual property rights in chapter 11; and discussion of cases where the outcomes were dependent on the valuation and sale of intangible assets.
11:00 – Noon Concurrent Session 1
SBMM * - Real Estate Investment: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
  Moderator Karen Samuels Jones, Esq., Perkins Coie LLP
  Speakers Richard Hollowell, CohnReznick LLP
David Neff, Esq., Perkins Coie LLP
Margaret Smith, CIRA, CDBV, GlassRatner Advisory & Capital Group LLC
  Description Real Estate investment will be discussed from four different viewpoints: equity investment, loan sales/ workouts, receiverships, and the absolute priority rule – the broad or narrow view. Panelists with backgrounds in each of these areas will discuss the progress from yesterday, through today and into tomorrow.
  Concurrent Session 2
Private Equity – Opportunistic Investing, Buy and Hold Credits, DIP Lending, Trading
  Moderator John Wm. Butler, Jr., Esq., Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
  Speakers Vikram Chitkara, Macquarie Capital (USA) Inc.
Philip Goy, CIRA, BBK
Reid Snellenbarger, Houlihan Lokey
Hon. Mary F. Walrath, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, D. Del.
Suzanne Yoon, Versa Capital
  Description A panel discussion of the opportunistic investing approach taken by private equity investors including buy and hold credits, debtor-in-possession lending and debt trading.
  Concurrent Session 3
Cross-Border Transactions
  Moderator Cyrus Pardiwala, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
  Speakers Hon. Timothy A. Barnes, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, N. Dist. IL
William Schrag, Esq., Thompson Hine LLP
Jack Surdoval, CIRA, Capstone Advisory Group LLC
  Description Observations and Insights into the Challenges and Opportunities presented in Cross Border Insolvencies
Noon - 1:30pm Luncheon Program
Keynote Speaker
  Speaker Grant Achatz, Chef and Restaurateur
  Sponsored by Alston & Bird LLP; Greenberg Traurig, LLP; Young, Conaway, Stargatt & Taylor LLP
1:30 – 2:30 pm Concurrent Session 1
Distressed Investing Part II
  Moderator Duncan Bourne, CIRA, Wynnchurch Capital, Ltd.
  Speakers Mitchel Appelbaum, Esq., WilmerHale
Teri Stratton, CIRA, Piper Jaffray & Co.
Daniel Wikel, CIRA, Huron Consulting Group
  Description The §363 sale process taking up where the morning's panel left off – filing the bankruptcy petition to closing the deal. The panel will discuss post-petition issues involving alignments and conflicts between stakeholder and potential acquirer interests, potential conflicts between continuing the auction process post-petition and preserving enterprise value and, despite the very short time available in bankruptcy, acquirer strategies to initiate the rehabilitation of the business.
  Concurrent Session 2
Today's Energy
  Moderator Monty Kehl, CIRA, CDBV, Mesirow Financial Consulting, LLC
  Speakers Ken Hiltz, AlixPartners, LLP
Pete Kadens, SoCore Energy
Trey Wood, Esq., Bracewell & Giuliani
  Description This panel will discuss current trends in energy, from gas production to the coal market to alternative forms. Updates of current markets as well as recent bankruptcy cases and issues will be addressed.
  Concurrent Session 3
SBMM * - Out of Court Restructurings
  Moderator Chip Hoebeke, Rehmann Robson
  Speakers David Bart, CIRA, CDBV, McGladrey LLP
Kevin Hamernik, CIRA, Hamernik LLC
Hon. Ann I. Jones, LA Superior Court
Theodore Phelps, CIRA, CDBV, PCG Consultants
  Description During this session, the panel will provide a description of commonly used Out of Court restructuring options and will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each one, including the most appropriate application. They will also compare success rates with traditional solutions involving judicial remedies.
2:30 – 2:45 pm Afternoon Break
  Sponsored by Melville Capital
2:45 – 3:45 pm Concurrent Session 1
SBMM * - Real Estate Bubble
  Moderator Harry Steinmetz, CIRA, WeiserMazars LLP
  Speakers Mark Cody, Esq., Jones Day
Hon. Neil Olack, US Bankruptcy Court, S. Dist. MS
Jay Sakalo, Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP
  Description What are the characteristics of a Real Estate Bubble? This session will include a discussion about asset classes and geography; lessons to be learned from the last real estate bubble and practice points going forward; and valuation methodologies of real estate, including single asset and pooled portfolios of assets.
  Concurrent Session 2
Hotel/Hospitality
  Moderator R. Greg Apathy, CIRA, High Ridge Partners Inc.
  Speakers Jeffrey Bucaro, Aries Capital
David Neff, Esq., Perkins Coie LLP
Dr. Thomas Maier, DePaul University
  Description The panel will discuss how the hotel/hospitality industry has changed since the economic downturn. Topics covered will include key issues impacting the industry as well as new trends and where the opportunities will be as the markets begin to recover. In addition, the panel will provide insight into important legal and financial issues that arise out of restructuring operations from both the owner and lender/investor prospective.
  Concurrent Session 3
Distressed Shipping and Infrastructure – A "Great White Whale" or a "Yellow Brick Road"?
  Moderator Conray Tseng, Esq., Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
  Speaker Christopher Grubb, Greenhill & Co.
Neil McLaughlin, DVB Bank
  Description The panelists will discuss some of the financial and legal issues in investing in and restructuring shipping, infrastructure, and other related companies, including potential quagmires and possible ways to identify and unlock value.
3:00 – 5:00 pm Public Field Hearing
ABI Commission to Study Reform of Ch. 11—Field Hearing on Valuation Issues
  Description The Advisory Committee on the Role of Valuation in Chapter 11 Cases will conduct a public field hearing. Hearing topics include the various methods of enterprise valuation relevant to plan confirmation and valuation issues relevant to timing issues (e.g. estoppel) and disclosure of expert opinions.
3:45 – 4:00 pm Afternoon Break
  Sponsored by Melville Capital
4:00 – 5:00 pm Concurrent Session 1
Carrying the LABORing Oar!
  Moderator Stephen Darr, CIRA, CDBV, Mesirow Financial Consulting, LLC
  Speakers Sharon Levine, Esq., Lowenstein Sandler
Ancela Nastasi, Esq., Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
Leon Szlezinger, Jefferies & Co.
  Description Learn about issues arising in recent leading cases from attempts to reject collective bargaining agreements and the significant impact that labor unions have had in high profile cases over the past 12 months.
  Concurrent Session 2
Rising Food Costs
  Moderator Michael Colella, CIRA, CDBV, Plante & Moran PLLC
  Speaker David Oppedahl, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Chad Peterson, Victory Park Capital
  Description A panel addressing the causes of the increase in food costs and related challenges the increase has caused.
6:00 pm Evening Social Event
Baseball Outing - Chicago White Sox v Oakland Athletics at U.S. Cellular Field
 
Saturday, June 8
8:00 – 9:00 am Continental Breakfast
  Sponsored by GlassRatner Advisory & Capital Group, LLC
9:00 – 10:15 am The Critical Role of Mentoring and Coaching
  Moderator Rebecca Rosenthal, Esq., Greenberg Traurig, LLP
  Speakers Caroline Reckler, Esq., Latham & Watkins LLP
Tom Lemanski, Vista Development, Chicago Executive Coaching
  Description Mentoring and coaching are great ways to obtain honest feedback about your performance and accelerate professional development, at any level. This panel will focus on how to find a mentor or coach, developing effective relationships, the impact on business and career development and the benefits and rewards of being a mentor or coach.
10:15 – 10:30 am Morning Break
10:30 – 11:45 am Refining Your Marketing Strategies and Defining Your Reputation
  Moderator Loretta Cross, CIRA, CDBV, Charles River Associates
  Speaker Charles Braley, AlixPartners, LLP
Monty Kehl, CIRA, CDBV, Mesirow Financial Consulting, LLC
Keith Shapiro, Esq., Greenberg Traurig, LLP
  Description Expect to gain insights from proven professional services firm rainmakers. Find out what works today. Improve your effectiveness and productivity. Discover specific skills they have developed that have brought them to the top of their game.