2006 Annual Report • 2006–2007 Calendar
2006 Annual Report Founded on Capitol Hill in 1982, the American Bankruptcy Institute this year celebrates its 25th anniversary of service to the nation’s insolvency professionals, while we plan for an even brighter future.
Hon. Wesley W. Steen President
Michael P. Richman Chair
Reginald W. Jackson President-Elect
Samuel J. Gerdano Executive Director
During the past 12 months, ABI met many challenges presented by the enactment of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA), the most significant change to bankruptcy law in a generation, affecting both consumer and commercial practice. A record 4,300 professionals attended a live ABI conference or distance learning educational program over the past year, helping to keep our members ahead of the curve. We redesigned the homepage of ABI World, our popular Internet site, adding innovations such a “Blog” on the new law and a weekly podcast featuring conversations with noteworthy members sharing their unique perspectives on the past and future of the practice. The ABI Journal enjoyed a facelift, making the format more magazine-like and reader friendly. The Journal also published more feature stories and column inches than ever. Our members produced more new book titles than ever before, on topics ranging from auto supplier bankruptcies to preferences and reclamation rights. Many existing titles were revised and updated to cover changes brought by BAPCPA. The ABI Endowment Fund set a record for financial contributions and pledges from our members, to benefit our educational and research mission. Our achievements and historic milestones – some recounted in this 25th anniversary issue of the Annual Report–occurred only because of our commitment of our members. On behalf of our Board of Directors and other volunteer leaders, we encourage you all to become involved in our work in the months and years ahead so that together we can build on our success.
Table of Contents Educational Programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . October 2006 Legislative Activity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 2006 Research. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . December 2006 Online Technology & Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 2007 Publications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 2007 Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 2007 In the News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 2007 Law Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 2007 International Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June 2007 Professional Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July 2007
Bankruptcy Certification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . August 2007 Finances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 2007 Endowment Fund Contributors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . October 2007 2006–2007 Board of Directors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 2007 ABI Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . December 2007 Committees
Educational Programs More than 6,000 professionals attended ABI educational programs on site over the past 12 months, a record that firmly establishes the Institute as the leading provider of high quality bankruptcy continuing legal education. Nearly 700 attended the 2005 Winter Leadership Conference in Palm Springs, Calif., and more than 1,100 attended the 2006 Annual Spring Meeting in Washington, D.C. ABI also sponsors more than a dozen regional, local and specialty programs in the United States and abroad, including the Rocky Mountain Bankruptcy Conference (Denver), Caribbean Insolvency Symposium (Miami and San Juan), Bankruptcy Battleground West (Los Angeles), New York City Bankruptcy Conference, Nuts and Bolts for Young Professionals, Litigation Skills Symposium (Atlanta and New Orleans), Central States Bankruptcy Workshop (Traverse City, Mich.), Northeast Bankruptcy Conference (Newport, R.I. and Cape Cod, Mass.), Southeast Bankruptcy Workshop (Amelia Island, Fla. and Kiawah Island, S.C.), Mid-Atlantic Bankruptcy Workshop (Cambridge, Md.), Southwest Bankruptcy Conference (Las Vegas), Complex Financial Restructuring Program (Las Vegas), International Insolvency Symposium (London), and Views from the Bench (Washington, D.C. and Wilmington, Del.). ABI further expanded and enhanced its commitment to distance learning, making educational content more accessible and affordable than ever. Audio and video programs from all ABI conferences are available 24/7/365 via the ABI Web site and/or West LegalEdCenter. ABI Educational Programs (2005)
Paid Registrants Total Attendees
1,787
Web-based Programs
2,557 4,829
Live Programs
6,152 0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000 Sen. Leahy (left)
25th Anniversary Milestone
ABI Annual Meetings have traditionally featured memorable keynote speakers from the judiciary, the administration, Capitol Hill and journalism, such as: Justice Antonin Scalia (1988), Chief Justice William Rehnquist (1992), Justice Clarence Thomas (1994), Sen. Orrin Hatch (1995), Justice Stephen Breyer (1997), Sen. Patrick Leahy (2000), Attorney General Griffin Bell (2003), Tim Russert (2004) and George Will (2005). Justice Scalia
Tim Russert (below)
Legislative Activity Once BAPCPA became fully effective on October 17, 2005, ABI’s orientation toward the new law shifted from information and analysis to implementation. What is the new law’s impact? How are courts interpreting the key provisions and (frequently) ambiguous statutory language? ABI established the first BAPCPA Blog at the ABI World homepage, written by David Rosendorf (Kozyak, Tropin & Throckmorton; Miami). The Blog provides a running commentary on judicial rulings under BAPCPA, with links to the full text of opinions. Each ABI educational program featured “new law” panels covering commercial and consumer issues. For example, the New York City Bankruptcy Conference hosted a panel debating the constitutionality of the “debt relief agency” provisions as applied to attorneys and consumer debtors. The myraid First Amendment issues were explored fully with the help of noted constitutional scholar Prof. Erwin Chemerinsky.
The 2006 New York City Bankruptcy Conference featured a debate on the constitutionality of BAPCPA, moderated by noted scholar Erwin Chemerinsky of Duke University Law School.
On October 16, 2006, ABI held a day-long symposium on the new law, one year later. The program featured a balanced cross-section of leading experts who assessed the impact on the bankruptcy system, debtors and creditors. The event was webcast live from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C.
ABI Resident Scholar Nathalie D. Martin authored The New Bankruptcy Law and You (John Wiley, 2005) just in time for the new law’s effective date. The new book provides useful tips on consumer household budgeting, in a highly accessible format.
ABI also sponsored two Capitol Hill briefings for congressional staff on the hot issues of collective bargaining agreements and pension agreements in bankruptcy. The well-attended House and Senate briefings featured presentations by Judge Stephen Mitchell (E.D. Va.), who handled the US Airways case, and Judge Eugene Wedoff (N.D. Ill.), who presided over the United Airlines case. A webinar on the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (P.L. 109–280) covered the key ERISA changes applicable to bankruptcy and workout professionals.
25th Anniversary Milestone
Ann vom Eigen, Bankruptcy Judge Mitchell and Greg Dean, staff director for the Senate Health, Education and Labor Policy committee (l-r).
ABI’s birthright is linked to legislative activity. On January 7, 1983, ABI sponsored a Capitol Hill program on the jurisdictional crisis created by the Supreme Court’s Marathon decision. Sen. Dennis DeConcini (D-Ariz.) and Rep. Caldwell Butler (R.-Va.) presided. The Senate later held hearings on the results of an ABI survey of members on the state of the bankruptcy system.
Research The ABI Endowment Fund was created in 1989 to provide a resource for the Institute’s mission of scholarly research and education. A Research Grant committee, chaired by ABI Vice President-Research Hon. Steven W. Rhodes, seeks out proposals and makes decisions on projects for funding. Other committee members are Prof. Ralph E. Brubaker, Prof. Margaret Howard, Hon. Linda B. Riegle, Nancy A. Peterman and Patricia A. Redmond. Since 1998, when the first grant from the Fund was issued, more than $500,000 in grants and scholarships have been awarded. An Endowment Fund Development Committee helps to raise funds in fulfillment of this mission.
Stephen Lubben
David A. Skeel
Lois R. Lupica
There are four current research projects funded by the Endowment. The largest is a multi-year, $346,000 grant to Prof. Stephen Lubben of Seton Hall University School of Law for an empirical study of professional fees in chapter 11 cases. Other pending studies are on the prevalence of substantive consolidation in large public company bankruptcies, being done by Prof. William H. Widen of the University of Miami School of Law; the incidence of serial chapter 13 bankruptcies pre- and post BAPCPA, being done by the Dr. Jean Lown of the Utah State University; and a demographic study of consumer debtors in the Western District of Memphis, being done by the Rise Foundation. The Fund also supports the Robert M. Zinman Resident Scholar program. Each Zinman Scholar is a leading member of the bankruptcy academic community, on leave from full-time teaching to assist ABI in research and educational activities. The Fall 2006 Scholar is Prof. David A. Skeel, Jr., the S. Samuel Arsht Professor of Corporate Law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School and author of Debt’s Dominion: A History of Bankruptcy Law in America (Princeton, 2001). Lois R. Lupica, Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Professor of Law at the University of Maine School of Law, is the Spring 2007 Resident Scholar.
Robert M. Zinman Resident Scholars
2006/07 Endowment Fund Development Committee
Prof. Lois R. Lupica, Spring 2007 Prof. David A. Skeel Jr., Fall 2006 Prof. Jack Ayer, Spring 2006 Prof. Nathalie Martin, Fall 2005 Prof. Jeffrey W. Morris, Spring 2005 Prof. Edward J. Janger, Fall 2004
• Chair: Anthony H.N. Schnelling, Bridge Associates, LLC • Melyssa R. Barrett, Visa USA, Inc. • Norma Corio, JPMorgan Chase & Co. • William Q. Derrough, Jefferies & Company, Inc. • James S. Feltman, Mesirow Financial Consulting, LLC • Benjamin L. Nortman, Hilco Trading Company, Inc. • Nancy A. Ross, High Ridge Partners, Inc. • Joseph Samet, Baker & McKenzie LLP
Hon. Roger M. Whelan, Spring 2004 Prof. Marianne Culhane, Fall 2003 Prof. David G. Epstein, Spring 2003 Prof. G. Ray Warner, Fall 2002 Prof. Margaret Howard, Spring 2002 Prof. Jack F. Williams, Fall 2001
25th Anniversary Milestone
The ABI Endowment Fund’s first grant was awarded in 1998 to Prof. Marianne Culhane and Prof. Michaela White of Creighton University School of Law. Culhane and White produced an empirical study of the repayment capacity of chapter 7 debtors under the means test then under consideration in Congress. The widely-cited study, published in the American Bankruptcy Institute Law Review, provided critical guidance to Congress during the consideration of “needs-based bankruptcy.” Culhane and White discussed their findings during a 1999 press conference on Capitol Hill. (photo at right)
Online Technology & Resources ABI World continues to be the preeminent site on the Internet for bankruptcy information. Our home page continues to be the first bankruptcy result when searching using the most popular Web search engines. Traffic to ABI World averaged 128,000 visits per month for the first nine months of 2006. Approximately 60,000 unique visitors make a stop at ABI World each month. The home page received a facelift for ABI’s 25th anniversary year. Content is king at ABI World. Content partners such as Thomson West, Lexis (Collier Bankruptcy Case Update), BankruptcyData.com and Dow Jones provide daily and weekly summaries of the latest case law developments and trends. A team of ABI members write regular circuit court of appeals updates, while ABI staff assembles the daily news headlines and other content. In combination with WestLegalEdCenter, members have immediate access to the largest, most current collection of bankruptcy online CLE programs available on the Internet. These programs include both live webcasts and previously recorded online programs in both video and audio formats. The “Best of ABI” series brings the top-rated program from each of the regional CLE programs to members, ondemand, right to their computers. These programs are a very affordable method of meeting state licensing requirements.
Best of ABI
ABI has always been on the leading technology edge. We introduced bankruptcy podcasts in 2006, offering direct download or streaming of program content, including formats capable of being downloaded automatically on personal audio devices. The weekly podcasts feature conversations with some of the leading players in the insolvency world from the fields of law, accounting, finance, the judiciary and more. Most of the podcasts are moderated by ABI’s Robert M. Zinman Resident Scholar. ABI’s interactive membership CD-Rom application is an installable program with a complete listing of all members. Once installed on your computer, it works in tandem with our membership database to continually update changes to members’ records, making obsolete the need for a 1,000-page printed directory. By moving away from printed materials that were mailed yearly to members at significant costs, the hundreds of hours formerly devoted to compiling the directory now takes minutes, at a fraction of the cost. In today’s world of instant information, ABI members now have the means to immediate access to critical data with or even without connectivity to the Internet.
25th Anniversary Milestone
ABI On-Line launched in mid-1994, a private computer network designed to give members 24-hour access to a variety of bankruptcy databases, electronic conferencing and more. It required special software and a dial-up modem, but it was a first for the bankruptcy world. By February 1996, we moved the World Wide Web. More innovations were added and accolades earned, such as the Legal Times “Web Site of the Week” award in 1998. Numerous facelifts and upgrades later, ABI World today reflects ABI’s sustained commitment to excellence in member services and public information on bankruptcy law and policy.
Publications New Titles
ABI achieved an ambitious goal of 12 new books and publications during 2006. Some of the titles in ABI’s “Book of the Month Club” are BAPCPA-inspired updates of previous editions, such as the Reclamation Manual (written by Bruce Nathan), First Day Motions (written by Debra Grassgreen and Maxim Litvak), Bankruptcy Telecommunications Manual (written by the telecom practice group at Wiley, Rein & Fielding) Creditors’ Committee Manual (written by Joseph Bodoff) and Bankruptcy Overview (written by Prof. Jack Ayer). Several new titles were also published, including the Preference Defense Handbook (written by Deborah Thorne, Carrie Foster and David Wheeler), Bankruptcy Issues for Commercial Landlords, Tenants & Mortgagees (written by David Kuney) and a timely manual on Auto Supplier Insolvencies & Bankruptcies (written by the creditors’ rights department at Barnes & Thornburg). Also new is a full-length treatise on Bankruptcy Business Acquisitions (edited by Rick Tilton).
New Look for ABI Journal
Our flagship periodical, the ABI Journal, broke out a new look in 2006, designed by our Director of Communications, Carolyn Kanon, and our Communications Manager, Courtney Reyers. Updated graphics, a new layout and full color throughout combined to produce more of a magazine look and feel. One constant is quality content: Today’s Journal is more than 50 percent larger in editorial content than just five years ago. More than 100 members now serve on the Journal’s editorial board.
ABI Committee e-Newsletters
ABI’s 25 committees publish regular e-newsletters that provide committee members with the latest news and information. More than 60 newsletters were published during 2006; these provide a great opportunity for members to become more involved in the work of committees. All members can access these electronic newsletters online at ABI World. ABI staff Susan Druzak (l) and Courtney Reyers with their winning design pieces.
ABI Staff Earn Recognition
ABI’s design and communications staff earned well-deserved recognition from their peers during 2006. Susan Druzak, our chief Graphic Designer, won six awards in the American Inhouse Design Awards competition for her work on conference brochures and various other print products, while Communications Manager Courtney Reyers won an award for her design of the ABI “Get Inolved” logo.
25th Anniversary Milestone
The first ABI Newsletter was published in March 1983. Volume 1, Number 1 of what evolved into the ABI Journal was eight pages. It cost $2,418 to mail that first issue to about 2,000 prospective members. Robin Phelan served as the first newsletter editor. Today, volume XXV averages 100 pages in size and has peaked at 112 pages on two occasions. It costs more than $400,000 annually to produce and mail the Journal to our nearly 11,500 members.
Membership Members by Title
Through mid-year 2006, ABI’s membership roster stands at a record 11,415 members. Total members grew by seven percent in 2005, with an impressive 88 percent member retention rate. More than 1,200 members renewed in December 2005–a single-month record.
Boston members attend a new law program before the networking reception at the Thomas P. O’Neill Federal Courthouse.
11,371
10-year Membership Growth 9,881
12,000
7,003
5,960
6,000
5,156
8,000
Not content to rest on past success, ABI initiated a new membership outreach program. We held five networking events during 2006 (in St. Louis, Dallas, Boston, Wilmington, Del. and Houston) attended by more than 1,000 members. Several of these events combined an educational program on the new law or current developments.
“I am very impressed that the Institute cared enough to take this special effort to welcome me.”
4,000 2,000 0
Members are encouraged to become active in one or more of ABI’s 25 substantive committees. Each committee produces its own educational program at the Annual Spring Meeting and Winter Leadership Conference. Committees also create regular electronic newsletters, providing numerous outstanding speaking and writing opportunities.
Members by Profession Attorney Consultant Accountant Financial Services Investment Banker Turnaround Professional Other
All new members attending an ABI conference are assigned an “Ambassador” to meet with them at the opening reception, introduce them to colleagues and answer questions about how to maximize the value of their ABI membership. Ambassador receptions were held at the Annual Spring Meeting, Central States Workshop, Northeast Conference, Southeast Workshop, Mid-Atlantic Workshop and Southwest Conference.
8,417
10,000
Partner Director Owner Judge Shareholder Associate Attorney President/Vice President Other
5 7 9 1 3 5 199 199 199 200 200 200
ABI’s membership is a diverse mix of experienced professionals who are among the leaders in the insolvency community. More than 240 sitting bankruptcy judges are members. Government and international members (outside North America) are eligible for membership at just $95 annually.
–Member comment on the ABI Ambassador program.
25th Anniversary Milestone
ABI’s first dues-paying members joined in early April 1983. Dues were set at $75; by the end of the month, some 50 members had joined. The first ABI Membership Directory was published in January 1987. It listed about 1,400 members on 60 pages. The 2006 Directory contained 1,026 pages and was also available in CD-Rom format.
In the News The effects of the most sweeping legislative change in a generation dominated the bankruptcy news during 2006. Other top stories focused on the ongoing crisis facing the pension system in the wake of several large public company filings in the airline and auto industries. ABI was a leading source for the news media on these and other topics over the past 12 months. On average, the Institute is cited in the press more than 80 times per month, making ABI the go-to source for those covering the insolvency world. Press coverage peaked during October 2005. ABI conducted a unique satellite media tour for the nation’s electronic media markets on October 14, the Friday before the new law’s effective date. More than a dozen of the top broadcast markets in the country participated live and on tape. ABI experts such as President John Penn, Resident Scholar Nathalie Martin and Executive Director Sam Gerdano explained the new law’s key features affecting both consumers and businesses. A week before the law’s effective date, Penn and Martin participated in a live online chat at washingtonpost.com, taking dozens of questions from the public on the practical and immediate impact of BAPCPA.
John Penn and Prof. Nathalie Martin hosted the BAPCPA satellite media tour from studios in Washington, D.C.
Bankruptcy Media Resource
For the future, ABI plans to create a Media Information Resource on bankruptcy to provide a comprehensive portal of news, data and related information of interest to both the press and ABI members who deal with the media in a professional capacity. The initiative recognizes both the profound impact that bankruptcy has on the national and global economies and the clear need for improvement in the business reporting on such issues to benefit the public, policymakers and others.
25th Anniversary Milestone
ABI’s first major network television appearance came on September 4, 1991. The “CBS Evening News” and cable networks covered an ABI press conference from the National Press Club on the release of quarterly bankruptcy filings. The news hook was that annual filings had set a national record and neared one million for the first time. Executive Director Sam Gerdano and Vice President Chuck Tatelbaum presented the findings; the story was the top story on that night’s “CBS Evening News with Dan Rather” (video clip at right).
Law Review The American Bankruptcy Institute Law Review is the nation’s largest-circulation bankruptcy law journal. It is edited by top students at St. John’s University School of Law and published semi-annually by Thomson West. An advisory board of more than three dozen bankruptcy judges, scholars and practitioners help to plan theme issues, edit articles and assist in the production of each issue. The board is headed by Prof. G. Ray Warner, director of the bankruptcy LL.M. program at St. John’s. Prof. Warner is also a past member of the ABI Board of Directors and a former ABI Robert M. Zinman Resident Scholar.
Prof. Robert Zinman presents the annual ABI Law Review award to top editor Kris Villareal.
The Law Review has been cited as an authority in more than 900 law reviews and court opinions since the first issue was published in 1993. During the 2005 Supreme Court term, the High Court again had occasion to cite to the ABI Law Review in the Central Va. Community College v. Katz opinion. The Law Review strives to be on the leading edge of the law. The past year continues this tradition. The Winter 2005 issue features a symposium on BAPCPA, with 15 articles and one recent development. We asked its 21 authors to dig deep under the surface of the new law to identify issues likely to arise in the courts and practice. The result is a collection of enlightening articles that go well beyond mere description of the law, to guide both judges and practitioners. The issue was dedicated to the memory of the late Chief Judge Conrad B. Duberstein, a member of the advisory board until his passing in November 2005. The Spring 2006 issue is an open issue of seven articles and two student notes. Featured are articles on the Supreme Court’s new direction in sovereign immunity and trends in the important doctrine of substantive consolidation, as well as a timely article on committee representation under the new law. The issue also contains an empirical article resulting from the first comprehensive study of consumer bankruptcy repeat filings. A student note covers the constitutionality of the new “debt relief agency” provisions of BAPCPA, particularly the provisions that compel disclosures by consumer bankruptcy attorneys. This issue is now being litigated at the appellate court level.
Law Review Advisory Board Prof. G. Ray Warner (Co-chair) Prof. Robert M. Zinman (Co-chair) Lawrence R. Ahern John W. Ames Prof. Jean Braucher Jo Ann J. Brighton Prof. Ralph Brubaker G. Eric Brunstad Jr. Prof. Daniel J. Bussel
25th Anniversary Milestone
Hon. Leif M. Clark Prof. Marianne B. Culhane Douglas E. Deutsch Prof. A. Mechele Dickerson Hon. Dennis Dow Jonathan P. Friedland Prof. Christopher W. Frost Hon. Rosemary Gambardella Prof. Gregory Germain
Christopher F. Graham Prof. Karen Gross Prof. John P. Hennigan Prof. Margaret Howard David R. Kuney Prof. Robert M. Lawless Robin E. Phelan Arnold M. Quittner Patricia A. Redmond
Prof. Mark S. Scarberry George H. Singer Hon. Wesley W. Steen Prof. Charles J. Tabb Hon. Eugene R. Wedoff Prof. Jay L. Westbrook Prof. Mary Jo Wiggins Prof. Jack F. Williams Prof. Todd J. Zywicki
During the spring of 1993, ABI published the inaugural issue of the ABI Law Review. The first publisher was LRP Publications. The first issue was thematic, focusing on the then-critical issue of single-asset real estate bankruptcies. The first issue was so well received that the American Bar Association reprinted an updated version as a comprehensive text on the topic. Faculty Advisor Robert M. Zinman and the student editors, John McNicholas (president of the St. John’s Bankruptcy Law Society) and Gerard Luckman (first editor-in-chief of the Law Review), were honored for the success of the first issue during the Annual Spring Meeting.
International Activity Globalization is having a noticeable impact on the insolvency world, as cross-border financial arrangements create new opportunities for both conflict and cooperation between legal systems. The need for clear communication and shared experiences is stronger than ever. ABI provides a number of tools, resources and educational programs to help insolvency professionals worldwide meet the needs of clients and stakeholders.
Ontario Justice James Farley was honored at the 2006 Annual Spring Meeting for his lifetime achievements in cross-border judicial case management and comity in the bankruptcy field.
ABI’s international membership stands at nearly 300, from nearly 30 different nations. International members outside North America are eligible for a special $95 reduced rate on an “e-membership.” E-members have access to all member benefits and publications via electronic file rather than paper copies delivered by mail. This allows our international members to receive information in a more timely and costeffective manner.
Cross-border Educational Programs
Lars Westpfahl, Lynn Heistand, Annerose Tashiro, Alain Le Berre and Helen Lee presented “International Insolvencies: The European Approach.”
ABI’s Second International Insolvency Symposium, held September 8, 2006, at London’s Savoy Hotel, attracted more than 150 insolvency professionals from Europe and the Americas for a comparative law program on the new chapter 15 vs. the European approach. Panels of top speakers covered developments around the globe in financially troubled sectors such as aviation, automotive and retail. Terrorism is another global fact of life today, and the London Symposium featured a provocative address by Tony Blankley (author, The West’s Last Chance) on the security, economic and cultural challenges confronting the civilized world. ABI’s Caribbean Insolvency Symposium will be held in Puerto Rico in February 2007, featuring programs on offshore banking, the rise in hedge funds and other lender issues.
25th Anniversary Milestone
The GlobalINSOLvency Web site, created by ABI and edited by Mark Liscio (Kaye Scholer LLP), is a useful resource on crossborder legal and economic developments. It features daily news, analyses of cases and trends, links to international insolvency organizations and more. More than 600 members belong to ABI’s International Committee. The committee publishes regular newsletters on cross-border developments and conducts educational programs at both the Annual Spring Meeting and Winter Leadership Conference.
ABI has hosted educational exchange programs on four continents over the years, in countries from west to east, such as Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, United Kingdom, Israel, China and Thailand. The first program was held in London in 1990, shortly after ABI became the first U.S. member association of INSOL International in 1989. These programs have promoted mutual understanding and awareness of differences in legal and economic systems around the world.
Professional Development ABI maintains a strong commitment to developing the next generation of insolvency professionals. More than 100 law students are ABI members, enjoying full membership benefits at reduced member rates. A new initiative is the Bankruptcy Judicial Clerkship Institute, the only formal education training program designed to improve the effectiveness of bankruptcy judicial law clerks. The Institute–which combines both live and taped educational programs taught by an expert faculty–is the product of a partnership between ABI, Pepperdine University School of Law and the Federal Judicial Center. Medal of Excellence Program Each year, more than 100 law school students are presented with the ABI Medal of Excellence and a certificate of achievement, in recognition of being named the top bankruptcy student at their school. Christopher F. Graham (Thacher Proffitt & Wood; New York) directs the program.
Timothy J. Ford (r) of Albany Law School received his Medal of Excellence from Dean Thomas Guernsey.
National Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition
The 14th Annual Chief Judge Conrad B. Duberstein National Bankruptcy Memorial Moot Court Competition attracted a record 54 teams in March 2006. Baylor University School of Law prevailed as the top team. More than 800 insolvency professionals attended the final night awards dinner at Pier 60 in Manhattan. The competition, hosted by ABI and St. John’s University School of Law, is named to honor the memory of the late Judge Duberstein, a former member of the ABI Board of Directors and the Chief Bankruptcy Judge of the Eastern District of New York. Judge Duberstein passed away in November 2005. The final night dinner in 2006 celebrated his successful life in the law via a loving video tribute, produced by St. John’s. In 2007, the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges will hold its governors meeting in conjuntion with the competition, allowing bankruptcy judges from around the country to serve as competition judges.
Samuel Gerdano and Fifth Circuit Chief Judge Edith Hollan Jones pose with Loren Reynolds and Deren Boswell of first-place team Baylor University School of Law (l-r).
Corporate Restructuring Competition
Twelve of the nation’s top graduate business schools competed in the Second Annual ABI/Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin Corporate Restructuring Competition, held in November 2005 at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. The Stern School of Business at NYU edged out Stanford (the 2004 winner), the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia and the Kellogg School at Northwestern to earn the beautiful Bettina M. Whyte Trophy. The top prize is named to honor ABI past president Bettina M. Whyte. The competition encourages second-year MBA students to find creative solutions to a real-world complex case problem, while providing them with feedback from some of the top talent in the corporate recovery world who serve as the judges. The 2007 competition will move to downtown Chicago in mid-January.
25th Anniversary Milestone
New York University’s winning team of Ivan Kasanof, Joseph Ryan, Christian Berg and Brian Angeli (l-r) poses with Bettina Whyte (2nd from left) and Jeff Werbalowsky of Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin (4th from left).
The first Duberstein National Moot Court Competition was held in March 1993. Eight schools competed, dealing with a case problem involving the classification of claims and the “new value exception” to the absolute priority rule, based on the theme selected for the first issue of the ABI Law Review. New York University School of Law won the first event, a title they would repeat in 1994. Final-round judges were Judge Duberstein, Bankruptcy Judge James Garrity (S.D.N.Y.) and District Court Judge Robert Sweet (S.D.N.Y.). About 200 people attended the final night awards dinner, held at the Financial Center Marriott. Judge Duberstein poses with the winning team, at right.
Bankruptcy Certification ABC Directors ark Abrams M Prof. Laura B. Bartell Gary W. Becker Winn D. Brown Candace C. Carlyon E. Rebecca Case Rudy J. Cerone Prof. Marianne B. Culhane John J. Cruciani Alexander L. Edgar Mac D. Finlayson Prof. Christopher W. Frost Terri L. Gardner Craig M. Geno Daniel J. Goldberg Martin F. Goldman Harry W. Greenfield Dion W. Hayes Christine Hayes Hickey Henry E. Hildebrand, III Brian L. Holman Michael P. Horan Robert J. Keach Danny C. Kelly Prof. Margit Livingston Theodore Edward Malpass Prof. Nathalie Martin Jill A. Michaux Francis A. Monaco, Jr. C. Daniel Motsinger Adam B. Nach Hon. John K. Pearson Robert L. Pollak Barbara J. Rom Mark J. Sheriff Jennifer A. Smith Charles R. Sterbach Michael S. Tucker Prof. G. Ray Warner Deborah D. Williamson John F. Young Mark Zuckerberg
ABC Exam Changes
It’s been a busy year for the ABC. Due to the change in the Bankruptcy Code that took effect in October 2005, the Board determined that the December 2005 examination would be the last under the “old Code.” This change resulted in an unprecedented number of applications. In anticipation of testing under the “new Code,” which went into effect in April 2006, the ABC faculty completely rewrote exams. The Board’s Standards Committee recently approved the first applicants who passed the “new” test. Although some applicants were hesitant to test because of the new laws, the recent approvals show it can be done! Traditionally, applicants who take the ABC exams enjoy a high pass rate—over 90 percent. And there are now nearly 1,000 certified attorneys! We encourage those who have been waiting to join them.
Getting States on Board
The Board continued to work this year on the 10 states that do not yet recognize ABC certification. These states have delayed approval for various reasons, but principally it is because the states do not yet have processes for recognition and approval. ABC is working on the submission of a long-awaited application for recognition in Florida and has already filed its application in Arizona. While already approved in North Carolina, the ABC entered into an agreement with the North Carolina Board of Specialization to provide certification examination services to North Carolina lawyers.
Spreading the Word
The ABC exhibited at a number of industry meetings. In May, President Robert S. Bernstein presented to the Global Debt Collection Summit in Atlanta on the value of ABC certification in all business and consumer bankruptcy and collection markets. Finally, the Board authorized additional Internet marketing, which is expected to bring certified attorneys additional exposure and client opportunities.
Current ABC Officers
Chair: William L. Norton, III Boult, Cummings, Conners & Berry Nashville, Tenn.
President: Robert S. Bernstein Bernstein Law Firm, P.C. Pittsburgh
President Elect: Joseph A. Peiffer Day Rettig Peiffer, P.C. Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Secretary: William I. Kohn Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff LLP Cleveland, Ohio
Treasurer: Lawrence R. Ahern, III Burr & Forman LLP Nashville, Tenn.
Finances Dear Members: Last year, in response to the guidelines promulgated by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and various new state laws, an Audit Subcommittee of the ABI Finance Committee was formed. Among the duties of the Audit Subcommittee are the retention of independent auditors and a review of the audit report, any management letters accompanying such report, and the internal controls and accounting procedures in place at ABI.
$9M
Growth in Revenue and Expenses 1996–2005
$8M
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
$7M $6M $5M $4M $3M $2M
The Subcommittee approved the retention of a new audit firm, Aronson & Company. The financial information presented on this page was taken from the 2005 audited financial statements.
$1M
At the Annual Spring Meeting in April 2006, the Audit Committee Chair reported to the Board of Directors of the ABI that (a) the independent auditors had issued an unqualified opinion that the financial statements of the ABI represented fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the ABI in conformity with general accepted accounting principles and (b) the auditors found no matters involving internal controls and operations that were considered to be material weaknesses.
Respectfully submitted, Rebecca Roof, Chair ABI Audit Subcommittee
Expenses 1,797,168 2,070,394 2,358,461 2,657,604 3,054,115 3,880,922 4,276,104 5,454,232 5,890,165 7,075,181
0
6
199
7
199
8
199
9
199
2% 2% 13%
0
200
1
200
2
200
3
200
4
5
200
200
2005 Expenses Conferences and Meetings
$3,121,639 $1,898,587
General and Admin
28% 55%
The Subcommittee has selected and retained an audit firm for the 2006 audit.
Revenue 1,872,567 2,318,743 2,633,678 3,058,946 3,427,825 4,152,251 4,931,889 5,929,755 6,448,895 8,010,219
Sources of Revenue 2005 Conferences and Meetings Membership Dues Publications and Other Endowment Investments
$1,229,960
Publications and Other $465,961
Membership Services Membership Recruitment
$161,589
Research Projects and Grants
$123,890 $73,555
Fundraising
0
0K
$50
$1M $1.5M
$2M $2.5M
ABI Financial “Index,” Then and Now ABI members, April 1983: 51 ABI members, August 2006: 11,400
ABI revenue from membership & conferences, 1989: $392,263 ABI revenue from membership & conferences, 2005: $6,673,287
ABI full-time staff, 1991: ABI full-time staff, 2006:
3 28
$3M $3.5M
Endowment Fund Contributors Through August 15, 2006
Century Council Members ($25,000 and above) • AlixPartners LLC Jay Alix • Scott L. Baena Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod, LLP • William A. Brandt, Jr. Development Specialists, Inc. • Bridge Associates, LLC Anthony H.N. Schnelling & Carl H. Young, III • John William Butler, Jr. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP • L.E. Creel III Creel & Moore, LLP • Robert N. Dangremond AlixPartners LLC • Harry D. Dixon, Jr. • Keen Consultants LLC • National Auctioneers Association Robert A. Shively & Larry Theurer • John Tittle, Jr. LECG • Visa USA, Inc. • Bettina M. Whyte MBIA Insurance Corporation
Century Council Members receive awards during the recognition ceremony at the 2006 Annual Spring Meeting: Carl Young (Bridge Associates, LLC), Scott L. Baena (Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod, LLP), presenter John D. Penn (Haynes and Boone LLP) and Robert N. Dangremond (AlixPartners LLC) (l-r).
Lifetime Members ($10,000-$24,999) • Andersen • A.S.K. Financial LLP Gregory S. Abrams & Joseph L. Steinfeld • Gerald P. Buccino Buccino & Associates, Inc. • Clear Thinking Group LLC Joseph E. Myers & Stuart Kessler • Mitchell H. Cohen Gordon Brothers Group, LLC • James H. Cossitt Attorney & Counselor at Law • Sanford R. Edlein Glass & Associates, Inc. • Ford Elsaesser Elsaesser, Jarzabek, Anderson, et al. • Barbara A. Everly • James S. Feltman Mesirow Financial Consulting LLC • Ted Gavin NachmanHaysBrownstein, Inc. • Steven G. Golick Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt, LLP • High Ridge Partners, Inc. Pat Cavanaugh, Mike Eber & Nancy Ross • The Hilco Organization • Executive Sounding Board Associates, Inc. Martin I. Katz • James B. Matthews Prime Locations LLC • McDonald Hopkins Co., LPA Shawn M. Riley • J. Robert Medlin FTI Consulting, Inc. • Mesirow Financial Consulting LLC • Leslie H. Miles, Jr. Asset Valuation Source, LLC • Morris-Anderson & Associates, Ltd. Daniel F. Dooley & Baker A. Smith
• NachmanHaysBrownstein, Inc. Howard Brod Brownstein • Robert P. Reynolds Reynolds, Reynolds & Duncan, LLC • Thomas J. Salerno Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, LLP • James Patrick Shea Shea & Carlyon, Ltd. • Togut, Segal & Segal LLP Albert Togut • Wells Fargo Foothill • Prof. Robert M. Zinman St. John’s University School of Law
Benefactors ($5,000-$9,999) • John W. Ames Greenebaum Doll & McDonald PLLC • Arent Fox PLLC Andrew I. Silfen • Atlas Partners, LLC Roger “Biff” Ruttenberg • Becket & Lee LLP Thomas A. Lee, III • Berman PLC Steven M. Berman • Joseph S.U. Bodoff Bodoff & Slavitt, LLP • Edward P. Bond Bederson & Company, LLP • Paul Bennett Bran Dickstein, Shapiro, Morin & Oshinsky LLP • Eric L. Brossman Saul Ewing LLP • Hon. Leif M. Clark U.S. Bankruptcy Court • Cohn, Whitesell & Goldberg LLP Daniel C. Cohn
• H. Slayton Dabney King & Spalding LLP • William Q. Derrough Jefferies & Company, Inc. • Dickinson Wright PLLC Daniel F. Gosch • Robert M. Fishman Shaw, Gussis, Fishman, Glantz et al. • Giuliani Capital Advisors LLC Robert H. Warshauer • Dion W. Hayes McGuireWoods LLP • Philip J. Hendel Hendel & Collins, PC • Kenneth C. Henry RTL Recovery Group, Inc. • Reginald W. Jackson Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease LLP • Hon. Lee M. Jackwig U.S. Bankruptcy Court • Douglas Jessop Jessop & Company, PC • Jones Day Richard A. Chesley & Paul E. Harner • Peter S. Kaufman Gordian Group, LLC • George M. Kelakos Kelakos Advisors LLC • William I. Kohn Schiff Hardin LLP • E. Bruce Leonard Cassels Brock & Blackwell, LLP • David Linn Oak Point Partners • James T. Markus Block, Markus & Williams, LLC • Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris et al. Richard E. Mikels & William W. Kannel • David L. Osias Allen, Matkins, Leck et al. • The Ozer Group/Paragon Capital LLC
• Dawn Ragan XRoads Solutions Group • Craig V. Rasile Hunton & Williams LLP • Patricia A. Redmond Stearns Weaver, et al. • Michael P. Richman Foley & Lardner, LLP • Rebecca A. Roof AlixPartners LLC • Chester B. Salomon Stevens & Lee PC • Joseph Samet Baker & McKenzie LLP • Keith J. Shapiro Greenberg Traurig, LLP • William K. Snyder Corporate Revitalization Partners LLC • James H.M. Sprayregen Goldman Sachs & Co. • Stutman, Treister & Glatt, PC Michael H. Goldstein • Troy Taylor Algon Capital LLC • Harvey L. Tepner Compass Advisers, LLP • Richard N. Tilton Richard Tilton, P.C. • TRG Michael J. Epstein • J. Scott Victor SSG Capital Advisors LP • Prof. G. Ray Warner St. John’s University School of Law • Prof. Jack F. Williams Georgia State University/BDO Seidman LLP • Deborah D. Williamson Cox Smith Matthews Incorporated
2006–2007 Board of Directors • Michael P. Richman* Chairman Foley & Lardner LLP New York, N.Y. • John D. Penn* Immediate Past-President Haynes and Boone LLP Fort Worth, Texas • Hon. Wesley W. Steen* President U.S. Bankruptcy Court Houston, Texas • Reginald W. Jackson* President-Elect Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP Columbus, Ohio • John W. Ames* Vice President-Publications Greenebaum, Doll & McDonald PLLC Louisville, Ky. • Robert J. Keach* Vice President-Education Bernstein Shur Portland, Maine • George M. Kelakos* Vice President-International Affairs Kelakos Advisors LLC Greenwich, Conn. • Melissa Kibler Knoll* Vice President-Membership Mesirow Financial Consulting, LLC Chicago, Ill. • Hon. Steven W. Rhodes* Vice President-Research Grants U.S. Bankruptcy Court Detroit, Mich. • Anthony H.N. Schnelling* Vice President-Development Bridge Associates, LLC New York, N.Y.
• Hon. James D. Gregg* Treasurer U.S. Bankruptcy Court Grand Rapids, Mich. • Dillon E. Jackson* Secretary Foster Pepper PLLC Seattle, Wash. • Lawrence R. Ahern III Burr & Forman LLP Nashville, Tenn. • Peter J. Antoszyk Proskauer Rose LLP Boston, Mass. • Melyssa R. Barrett Visa USA Inc. San Francisco, Calif. • Geoffrey L. Berman Development Specialists, Inc. Los Angeles, Calif. • Matthew Bordwin Keen Consultants, LLC Great Neck, N.Y. • Prof. Ralph E. Brubaker* University of Illinois College of Law Champaign, Ill. • Andrew W. Caine Pachulski, Stang, Ziehl, Young, et al. Los Angeles, Calif. • Rudy J. Cerone McGlinchey Stafford, PLLC New Orleans, La. • Francis J. Conway Mercer Management Consulting New York, N.Y. • Norma C. Corio JP Morgan Chase New York, N.Y. • William Q. Derrough Jefferies & Company, Inc. New York, N.Y.
• Mitchell E. Drucker CIT Business Capital New York, N.Y. • Sanford R. Edlein Glass & Associates Inc. Dallas, Texas • Hon. Joan N. Feeney U.S. Bankruptcy Court Boston, Mass. • James S. Feltman Mesirow Financial Consulting, LLC Miami, Fla. • Hon. Judith K. Fitzgerald U.S. Bankruptcy Court Pittsburgh, Pa. • Jonathan P. Friedland Kirkland & Ellis LLP Chicago, Ill. • Peter S. Kaufman Gordian Group, LLC New York, N.Y. • Prof. Margaret Howard Washington & Lee Law School Lexington, Va. • Joel H. Levitin Dechert LLP New York, N.Y. • James T. Markus* Block, Markus & Williams, LLC Denver, Colo. • Josefina Fernandez McEvoy Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, LLP Los Angeles, Calif. • J. Robert Medlin FTI Consulting, Inc. Dallas, Texas • Bruce S. Nathan Lowenstein Sandler PC New York, N.Y. • Benjamin L. Nortman Hilco Trading Company, Inc. Northbrook, Ill.
• Nancy A. Peterman Greenberg Traurig, LLP Chicago, Ill. • Jeffrey N. Pomerantz Pachulski, Stang, Ziehl, Young, et al. Los Angeles, Calif. • John Rao National Consumer Law Center Boston, Mass. • Patricia A. Redmond Stearns, Weaver, Miller, et al. Miami, Fla. • Clare Ann Resop Brennan, Steil & Basting, SC Madison, Wis. • Hon. Linda B. Riegle U.S. Bankruptcy Court Las Vegas, Nev. • Susan Rinebold Thomson West Rochester, N.Y. • Rebecca A. Roof AlixPartners LLC New York, N.Y. • Robert J. Rosenberg Latham & Watkins LLP New York, N.Y. • Nancy A. Ross High Ridge Partners, Inc. Chicago, Ill. • Chester B. Salomon Stevens & Lee, PC New York, N.Y. • Joseph Samet Baker & McKenzie LLP New York, N.Y. • Tracy C. Sandler Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP Toronto, Ont.
• Sandra L. Schirmang Kraft Foods Global, Inc. Northfield, Ill. • Brian L. Shaw Shaw Gussis Fishman Glantz, et al. Chicago, Ill. • James Patrick Shea* Shea & Carlyon Ltd. Las Vegas, Nev. • John Tittle, Jr. LECG, LLC Dallas, Texas • Lynnette R. Warman Jenkens & Gilchrist, PC Dallas, Texas • Robert H. Warshauer Giuliani Capital Advisors LLC New York, N.Y. • Hon. Eugene R. Wedoff* U.S. Bankruptcy Court Chicago, Ill. • Bettina M. Whyte MBIA Insurance Corporation Armonk, N.Y. • Ian G. Williams Geldards LLP Nottingham, England • Samuel J. Gerdano Executive Director Alexandria, Va. * Denotes Executive Committee Member
ABI Staff Samuel J. Gerdano, Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer Ann vom Eigen, Deputy Executive Director/General Counsel
Accounting Department Kathy Sheehan, Chief Financial Officer Patty Sadusky, Accounting Manager Alexandra Abraham, Staff Accountant Monica Brown, Staff Accountant Pawel Pietrzak, Staff Accountant
Administration Department Mary Kleppinger, Director of Administration Rhonda Lindsay, Receptionist/Staff Assistant
Ann vom Eigen.
Rhonda Lindsay and Mary Kleppinger.
Kathy Sheehan, Patty Sadusky, Pawel Pietrzak, Monica Brown and Alexandra Abraham.
Communications Department Carolyn Kanon, Director of Communications Courtney Reyers, Communications Manager Susan Druzak, Graphic Designer Patricia Noboa, Publications Coordinator/Staff Assistant Thomas Borak, Communications Assistant John Hartgen, Public Affairs Manager
Interactive Media and Technology Department Karim Guirguis, Director of Interactive Media & Technology Erica Peterson, Multimedia Specialist Haymanate Legesse, Web Developer
John Hartgen, Courtney Reyers, Susan Druzak, Patricia Noboa, Carolyn Kanon and Thomas Borak.
Erica Peterson, Karim Guirguis and Haymanate Legesse.
Kimberly Hay, Larissa Mendes, Emily Gaines and Christopher Thackston.
Jennifer Dugas, Jennifer Aversano, Nichole Rawson, John Good, Jennifer Walker and Sharisa Sloan.
Membership Department Christopher Thackston, Director of Membership Kimberly Hay, Membership Retention Manager Emily Gaines, Membership Specialist Larissa Mendes, Membership Assistant
Meetings and Marketing Department Jennifer Dugas, Senior Meeting Planner John Good, Meeting Planner Jennifer Walker, Meeting Planner Jennifer Aversano, Meeting Planner Sharisa Sloan, Marketing Manager Nichole Rawson, CLE Coordinator/Staff Assistant
Committees Alternative Dispute Resolution
Bankruptcy Taxation
Subcommittee on Small Business
Lester J. Levy JAMS San Francisco, CA (415) 982-5267 (415) 982-5287 fax llevy@jamsadr.com
Business Reorganization
Commercial Fraud Task Force
Weston Anson CONSOR La Jolla, CA (858) 454-9091 x207 (858) 454-7819 fax wanson@consor.com
Bradley D. Sharp Development Specialists, Inc. Los Angeles, CA (213) 617-2717 (213) 617-2718 fax bsharp@dsi.biz
Jack Seward Jack Seward Associates, LLC New York, NY (917) 450-9328 (212) 656-1486 fax jackseward@msn.com
David Peress Crystal Capital Boston, MA (617) 428-8703 (617) 428-8701 fax dperess@crystalcapital.com
Subcommittee on Insurance, Construction & Surety
Consumer Bankruptcy
Hon. Barbara J. Houser U.S. Bankruptcy Court Dallas, TX (214) 753-2055 (214) 753-2057 fax judge_barbara_houser@txnb.uscourts.gov
Asset Sales
Bankruptcy Litigation
Rudy J. Cerone McGlinchey Stafford, PLLC New Orleans, LA (504) 596-2786 (504) 596-2760 fax rcerone@mcglinchey.com Hon. Barry Russell U.S. Bankruptcy Court Los Angeles, CA (213) 894-3118 barry_russell@cacb.uscourts.gov
David Howard Stein Duane Morris LLP Newark, NJ (973) 424-2022 (973) 424-2001 fax dhstein@duanemorris.com Jo Ann J. Brighton Kennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman, LLP Charlotte, NC (704) 331-5793 (704) 353-3633 fax jbrighton@kennedycovington.com
Lawrence R. Ahern, III Burr & Forman LLP Nashville, TN (615) 724-3210 (615) 724-3290 fax E-mail: lahern@burr.com J. Gregg Miller Pepper Hamilton LLP Philadelphia, PA (215) 981-4085 (215) 981-4750 fax millerj@pepperlaw.com
Subcommittee on Hospitality, Entertainment Venues & Gaming Candace C. Carlyon Shea & Carlyon, Ltd. Las Vegas, NV (702) 471-7432 (702) 471-7435 fax ccarlyon@sheacarlyon.com
Deborah A. Crabbe Foster, Pepper & Shefelman, PLLC Seattle, WA (206) 447-5325 (206) 749-2009 fax crabd@foster.com Sandra T. Rasnak Office of the U.S. Trustee Chicago, IL (312) 886-5784 (312) 886-5794 fax sandra.rasnak@usdoj.gov
Hon. Dennis R. Dow U.S. Bankruptcy Court Kansas City, MO (816) 512-1880 (816) 512-1893 fax dennis_dow@mow.uscourts.gov Dennis J. LeVine Dennis LeVine & Associates, PA Tampa, FL (813) 253-0777 (813) 253-0975 fax dennis@bcylaw.com John Rao National Consumer Law Center Boston, MA (617) 542-8010 (617) 542-8028 fax jrao@nclc.org
Hon. Thomas F. Waldron U.S. Bankruptcy Court Dayton, OH (937) 225-2863 (937) 255-2705 fax thomas_waldron@ohsb.uscourts.gov
Court Administration
Financial Advisors
David M. Powlen Western Reserve Partners Philadelphia, PA (317) 727-2211 (215) 563-6870 fax dpowlen@wesrespartners.com
Deirdre A. Martini CIT Group, Inc. New York, NY (212) 771-9469 (212) 771-1758 fax deirdre.martini@cit.com
Rebecca A. Roof AlixPartners LLC New York, NY 10019-2701 (212) 297-6321 (212) 490-1344 fax broof@alixpartners.com
Hon. Cecelia G. Morris U.S. Bankruptcy Court Poughkeepsie, NY (845) 452-3728 (845) 452-5031 fax cecelia_morris@nysb.uscourts.gov
Finance and Banking
Lynn Lewis Tavenner Tavenner & Beran, PLC Richmond, VA (804) 783-8300 (804) 783-0178 fax ltavenner@tb-lawfirm.com
Ethics
Terri L. Gardner Poyner & Spruill LLP Raleigh, NC (919) 783-1037 (919) 783-1075 fax tgardner@poynerspruill.com Richard M. Meth Pitney Hardin LLP Florham Park, NJ (973) 966-8319 (973) 966-1015 fax rmeth@pitneyhardin.com
Mark D. Collins Richards, Layton & Finger, PA Wilmington, DE (302) 651-7531 (302) 651-7701 fax collins@rlf.com Suzanne S. Palmer CIT Corporate Finance/ National Restructuring Group New York, NY (212) 536-1206 (212) 536-9468 fax suzanne.palmer@cit.com
Health Care William W. Kannel Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo, PC Boston, MA (617) 348-1665 (617) 542-2241 fax wkannel@mintz.com Samuel R. Maizel Pachulski, Stang, Ziehl, Young, et al. Los Angeles, CA (310) 277-6910 (310) 201-0760 fax smaizel@pszyjw.com
International Josefina Fernandez McEvoy Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, LLP Los Angeles, CA (213) 689-5120 (213) 623-4581 fax jmcevoy@ssd.com Ronald J. Silverman Bingham McCutchen LLP New York, NY (212) 705-7868 (212) 508-1407 fax ronald.silverman@bingham.com Ian G. Williams Edwards Geldard Nottingham England 44 115 840 4499 44 115 840 4500 fax ian.williams@geldards.co.uk
Investment Banking James D. Decker Alvarez & Marsal, LLC Atlanta, GA (404) 260-4103 (404) 260-2836 fax jdecker@alvarezandmarsal.com Peter S. Kaufman Gordian Group, LLC New York, NY (212) 486-3600 (212) 486-3616 fax psk@gordiangroup.com
Law School Christopher F. Graham Thacher Proffitt & Wood LLP New York, NY (212) 912-7669 (212) 912-7751 fax cgraham@thacherproffitt.com
Prof. Robert M. Zinman St. John’s University School of Law Jamaica, NY (718) 990-6646 (718) 990-2199 fax zinmanr@stjohns.edu
Pensions and Benefits in Bankruptcy
Real Estate
Unsecured Trade Creditors
Judy D. Thompson Poyner & Spruill LLP Charlotte, NC (828) 749-1865 (828) 749-3865 fax jdthompson@poynerspruill.com
John Collen Duane Morris LLP Chicago, IL (312) 449-6783 (312) 449-6701 fax jcollen@duanemorris.com
Douglas G. Fox Bosch Rexroth Corporation Bethlehem, PA (610) 694-8250 (610) 954-8631 fax doug.fox@boschrexroth-us.com
Hon. David W. Houston, III U.S. Bankruptcy Court Aberdeen, MS (662) 369-2624 (662) 369-2635 fax david_houston@msnb.uscourts.gov
Prof. G. Ray Warner St. John’s University School of Law Jamaica, NY (718) 990-6620 (718) 591-1855 fax warnerg@stjohns.edu
Alec P. Ostrow Stevens & Lee, PC New York, NY (212) 537-0402 (212) 319-8505 fax apo@stevenslee.com
Bruce S. Nathan Lowenstein Sandler PC New York, NY (212) 262-6700 (973) 422-6851 fax bnathan@lowenstein.com
R. Scott Williams Haskell Slaughter Young & Rediker, LLC Birmingham, AL (205) 254-1435 (205) 324-1133 fax rsw@hsy.com
Professional Compensation
Technology and Telecommunication Cases
Deborah L. Thorne Barnes & Thornburg LLP Chicago, IL (312) 214-8307 (312) 759-5646 fax dthorne@btlaw.com
Legislation
Mass Torts
T. Edward Malpass Law Offices of T. Edward Malpass Irvine, CA (949) 788-9944 (949) 788-9919 fax temalpass@aol.com
Richard Cohen The Garden City Group Weston, FL (954) 315-3698 rich.cohen@gardencitygroup.com
Thomas A. Morrow AlixPartners LLC Southfield, MI (248) 358-1969 fax tmorrow@alixpartners.com
Theodore L. Freedman Kirkland & Ellis LLP New York, NY (212) 446-4934 (212) 446-4900 fax tfreedman@kirkland.com
Public Companies and Claims Trading
David B. Wheeler Moore & Van Allen, PLLC Charleston, SC (843) 579-7015 (843) 579-8727 fax davidwheeler@mvalaw.com
Geoffrey Groshong Miller Nash LLP Seattle, WA (206) 622-8484 (206) 622-7485 fax geoff.groshong@millernash.com Glenn E. Siegel Dechert LLP New York, NY (212) 698-3569 (212) 698-3599 fax glenn.siegel@dechert.com
Joel H. Levitin Dechert LLP New York, NY (212) 698-3558 (212) 698-3599 fax joel.levitin@dechert.com William K. Snyder Corporate Revitalization Partners, LLC Dallas, TX (972) 702-7333 (972) 702-7334 fax wsnyder@crpllc.net
Uniform Commercial Code Brent R. Cohen Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons LLP Denver, CO (303) 628-9521 (303) 623-9222 fax bcohen@rothgerber.com Gary A. Norton Whitfield & Eddy, PLC Des Moines, IA (515) 288-6041 (515) 246-1474 fax norton@whitfieldlaw.com
Young and New Members Douglas E. Deutsch Chadbourne & Parke LLP New York, NY (212) 408-5169 (214) 541-5369 fax ddeutsch@chadbourne.com Nir Gabriely Brown Gibbons Lang & Co., LP Cleveland, OH (216) 241-2800 (216) 241-7417 fax ngabriely@bglco.com Brian L. Shaw Shaw, Gussis, Fishman, Glantz et al. Chicago, IL (312) 541-0151 (312) 980-3888 fax bshaw100@shawgussis.com
44 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 404 • Alexandria, VA 22314-1592 (703) 739-0800 • fax (703) 739-1060 E-mail: info@abiworld.org • www.abiworld.org
2006 Partners