CONVENTION EVENTS

Business Session – a Town Hall Meeting that includes the Annual Report from the League President and the Treasurer’s Report.
Nominating Debates (when necessary) – Make informed decisions on candidates running for office.
Change of Officers – Introduction of the newly installed officers.
President’s Cup – Recipient recognition.

Networking Opportunities

Pop Culture Buffs… bring your best brain-teasing solving mind, and join our Master of Ceremonies, Timothy Wan, for a lively interactive hour of team building and competition!

Back by Popular Demand… It’s GOOSE Time Part 2!
Honk Honk…Grab your teammates for another round of endless opportunities to compete in a fun and memorable convention scavenger-type hunt.

AceBounce… AceBounce is the perfect spot for a night of laughter and fun around the table.

Karaoke Nightcap… Hosted by the Young Members’ Section (YMS). Let your singing talent shine at the Karaoke nightcap with desserts at the Swissôtel.

Baseball in the Bleachers… Optional Activity. Limited tickets/space available.

Sponsorship will provide you with exposure to attorneys, agencies and commercial collection professionals. This is a great opportunity to showcase your company name as one of the sponsors at the 130th National Convention. Choose your sponsorship level when you register. Show your support and sponsor today!

NOTEPADS

REGISTRATION

*Disclaimer: CLE credit available to attendees in qualifying states who register on or before March 8. We cannot guarantee state accreditation after March 8.
**One registration form per member.
***Please note that business colleagues are not eligible to register under this category.

Member/Non-Member Registration Fee Includes:

• Access to all Educational Sessions
• Continuing Education: CLE/CEU
• Daily Breakfast and Breaks
• Goose Chase
• Thursday’s Lunch Buffet
• Women’s Empowerment & Networking Event
• Evening Receptions
• Game Show
• Thursday Evening Karaoke Bar Nightcap
• Friday’s Annual Awards Brunch

Spouse/Guest Registration Fee Includes:

• Daily Breakfast and Breaks
• Goose Chase
• Thursday’s Lunch Buffet
• Women’s Empowerment & Networking Event
• Evening Receptions
• Game Show
• Thursday Evening Karaoke Bar Nightcap
• Friday’s Annual Awards Brunch

Virtual Registration Fee Includes:

• Access to all Educational Sessions
• Continuing Education: CLE/CEU
• Thursday’s Business Meeting
• Friday’s Annual Awards Program

Back by Popular Demand… It’s GOOSE Time Part 2!

Honk Honk…Grab your teammates for another round of endless opportunities to compete in a fun and memorable convention scavenger-type hunt.

Competitor Teams will be given a series of “Missions”, all of which will be tracked on an app, “Goosechase”. At the end of the convention, winning teams will receive gift card prizes!
We hope you will join in the fun and make new connections!

16 
Thursday

ABOVE: Ron Peterson, Jenner & Block LLP, receiving the President’s Cup at the 129th CLLA National Conference.

Marco Alcala, Alcala Consulting, Inc., Pasadena, CA

Jonathan Allen, Allen Law, PC, Springfield, MA

Craig Allen (Marika), Craig H. Allen, P.A., Greenville, SC

Coleen Andersen, McCarthy, Burgess & Wolff, Cleveland, OH

Robert Ash, Radius Global Solutions/AMS Comm. Bus. Div., Totowa, NJ

Hon. Janet Baer, US Bankruptcy Court, Northern Districr of IL, Chicago, IL

Amy Ball, NACM Southwest, Coppell, TX

Lydia Basanes, Dress for Success, Chicago, IL

Ravi Batta, Rosenfeld Stein Batta P.A., Aventura, FL

Steve Bessenbacher, BARR Credit Services, Inc., Tucson, AZ

Wanda Borges, Borges & Associates, LLC, Syosset, NY

Matthew Brash, Newpoint Advisors Corporation, Schaumburg, IL

George Braun, WA Bureau Chief, Washington, DC

Murray Bristol, Bristol & Dubiel LLP, San Antonio, TX

Kirk Burkley, Bernstein-Burkley, P.C., Pittsburgh, PA

Peter Califano, Niesar & Vestal LLP, San Francisco, CA

Louis Caracci III, The LaSource Group, Erie, PA

Lawrence Cassidy, Northern California Collection Service, Inc., Sacramento, CA

Trey Cefalu, C2C Resources, Metairie, LA

Andrew Chigounis, Saldutti Law Group, Moorestown, NJ

Greg Cohen, Caine & Weiner, Encino, CA

Matt Cohen, Caine & Weiner, Sherman Oaks, CA

Jake Cohen, Caine & Weiner, Sherman Oaks, CA

Crystal Cole, Crystal R. Cole, Atty at Law, Nashville, TN

Stuart Collis (Nancy), Collis, Griffor & Hendra, PC, Ypsilanti, MI

Brad Council, Slovin & Associates Co., LPA, Cincinnati, OH

Jeremy Crane, Retrievables, New York, NY

Rick Crowson, Isenberg & Hewitt PC, Sandy Springs, GA

Edgar Davison, Davison Law Firm, Memphis, TN

Robert DelSignore, Lamont, Hanley & Associates, Inc., Manchester, NH

Justin DeNiro, The LaSource Group, Erie, PA

Michael DeNiro, The LaSource Group, Erie, PA

Jennifer Dlugolecki, Firefly Legal, Mokena, IL

John Dubiel, Bristol & Dubiel LLP, Dallas, TX

Kara Eisen, Lichtman Eisen Partners, Ltd., Chicago, IL

George Eliades (Adrienne), The Eliades Law Firm, Chester, VA

Marc Ellison, Totz Ellison & Totz, P.C., Houston, TX

Ben Farrow, Anderson, Williams & Farrow, LLC, Montgomery, AL

Tom Fawkes, Tucker Ellis LLP, Chicago, IL

Dawn Federico, CLLA, Rolling Meadows, IL

Judith Fitzgerald (Barry), Tucker Arensberg, PC, Pittsburgh, PA

Scott Foeller, Hodges Avrutis & Foeller, Sarasota, FL

David Gamache, Gamache & Myers, PC, St. Louis, MO

Victor Garcia, Garcia Legal, PA, Miami Lakes, FL

Joseph Garcia, Garcia Legal, PA, Miami Lakes, FL

Matias Garcia, Barnett & Garcia, PLLC, Austin, TX

Julie Gelderblom, Julie G., Consultant, New Orleans, LA

David Gengler, Kohner, Mann & Kailas, SC, Milwaukee, WI

Michelle Gilbert (Marcel), Gilbert Garcia Group, P.A., Tampa, FL

Warren Gottlieb, Gottlieb Ostrager LLP, Armonk, NY

Todd Gurstel, Gurstel Law Firm PC, Golden Valley, MN

Nancy Hamilton, American Lawyers Quarterly, Cleveland, OH

Theodore Hamilton (Sarah), Wetherington Hamilton, P.A., Tampa, FL

Thomas Hamilton, American Lawyers Quarterly, Cleveland, OH

Chad Hammons, Jones Walker LLP, Jackson, MS

Sabrina Hart, Dress for Success, Chicago, IL

Owen Hare, Friedman, Framme & Thrush P.A., Owings Mills, MD

Jamie Hart, Weltman, Weinberg & Reise Co., LPA, Cincinnati, OH

Jessica Hartmann, International Association of Commercial Collectors, Eagan, MN

Beau Hays (Jane), Hays & Potter LLP, Peachtree Corners, GA

Jonathan Hempfling, Marcadis Singer, Tampa, FL

Jonathan Herron, Sklar Law LLC, Havertown, PA

Lauri Hudson, Hudson Law Offices, PC, Turnersville, NJ

Tyler Hughes, CCC of NY, Tonawanda, NY

Brandon James, Tucker Albin & Associates, Richardson, TX

Kerry Jensen, CLLA, Rolling Meadows, IL

Richard Keifer, Keifer Law Firm, LLC, Kingston, PA

Conor Kelly, Webster, Chamberlain and Bean, Washington, DC

Dan Kerrick, Hogan McDaniel, Wilmington, DE

Jason Khano, Aubrey Thrasher, LLC, Marietta, GA

Patrick Kilburn, Lloyd & McDaniel, PLC, Louisville, KY

Jason Kirkorsky, Law Offices of Mark A. Kirkorsky, P.C., Mesa, AZ

Mark Kirkorsky, Law Offices of Mark A. Kirkorsky, P.C., Mesa, AZ

Richard Klein, RHK Recovery Group, Plainview, NY 

Candice Kline, Saul Ewing LLP, Maumee, OH

James Kozelek (Maria), Weltman, Weinberg & Reis, Dublin, OH

Salene Kraemer, MazurKraemer Law Group, Pittsburgh, PA

Jonathan Kramer, Whitfield & Eddy, PLC, Des Moines, IA

Phil Lattanzio, CLLA, Rolling Meadows, IL

Brinen LeFevre, Kearns Brinen & Monaghan, Greenville, SC

David Leigh, Ray Quinney & Nebeker, PC, Salt Lake City, UT

Graham Liccardi, Teller Levit & Silvertrust, P.C., Chicago, IL

Marc Lichtman, Lichtman Eisen Partners, Ltd., Chicago, IL

David Lippman, Lippman Recupero, Tucson, AZ

Walt Lockhart, STA International, Melville, NY

Eric Logvin, Law Office of James R. Vaughan, P.C., Scottsdale, AZ

Robert Lurie, Reisenfeld and Associates, Cincinnati, OH

Hon. Thomas Lynch, US Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of IL, Rockford, IL

Sarah Malmquist, McCarthy, Burgess & Wolff, Cleveland, OH

Richard Maner, Richard B Maner PC, Atlanta, GA

Beverly Manne, Tucker Arensberg, P.C., Pittsburgh, PA

Joseph Marino, Marino Mayers & Jarrach, LLC, Clifton, NJ

Steven Markoff, Markoff Law LLC, Chicago, IL

Dawn Matune, Dress for Success, Chicago, IL

Mary McCann, CLLA, Rolling Meadows, IL

Ian McCarthy, Barnett & Garcia, Austin, TX

Jim McConnville, Radius Global Solutions, Ramsey, NJ

Marc Miceli, S. Mitnick Law PC, Oldwick, NJ

Natalia Minassian, Hatkoff & Minassian, A Law Corporation, Los Angeles, CA

Johnnie Mister, Dress for Success, Chicago, IL

Joseph Molinaro, Law Offices of Joseph A. Molinaro, LLC, Wyckoff, NJ

Robin Moselle, Robin S Moselle, P.A., Plantation, FL

Chris Moss, SCJ Commercial Financial Services, Harrington, DE

Brian Nagle, McCarthy, Burgess & Wolff, Cleveland, OH

Chris Nall, Case Master, Inc., Jacksonville Beach, FL

William Newland, 360 Legal Inc., Sarasota, FL

Jeffrey Nicolet, Wagner, Falconer & Judd, Ltd., Minneapolis, MN

Christopher Nixon, American Lawyers Quarterly, Cleveland, OH

John Parker, Park Law Firm, PLC, Phoenix, AZ

Richard Payne, Morrison and Payne, Toronto, ON

Joseph Peiffer, Ag & Business Legal Strategies, Cedar Rapids, IA

Nikki Perri, Brown & Joseph, LLC, Itasca, IL

Bill Peterson, Miller Cohen Peterson Young, P.C., Longmont, CO

Ron Peterson, Jenner & Block, Lake Forest, IL

Warren Pinchuck, The Columbia Directory Co., Inc., Boca Raton, FL

Robert Pohl, Pohl, PA, Greenville, SC

Amy Pona, Gurstel Law Firm, Golden Valley, MN

Kevin Posen, Teller Levit & Silvertrust, P.C., Chicago, IL

Bryan Press, Esq., Metro Group of NY, Inc., Livingston, NJ

John Pucin, Caine & Weiner Company, Inc., Schaumburg, IL

Bryan Rafferty, CCC of NY, Tonawanda, NY

Peter Ragan, Ragan & Ragan, PC, Wall, NJ

Jeffrey Ramsey, Lloyd & McDaniel, Louisville, KY

Jack Rose, Jack Rose Law, Larchmont, NY

David Roth, Blenden Roth Law Firm, PLLC, Bedford, TX

Deborah Rubin, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, Southfield, MI

T Britt Rudman, Law Offices of T. Britt Rudman, Beverly Hills, CA

Neil Sander, Sander Law, LLC, Columbus, OH

Greg Sargent, Lamont, Hanley & Associates, Inc., Manchester, NH

Robert Scanlon, Dellwo Roberts & Scanlon P.S., Spokane, WA

Gary Schafkopf, Weisberg Law, Morton, PA

Jeffrey Schatzman (Lisa), Schatzman & Schatzman, P.A., Miami, FL

Don Scott, Wright Holmes, Katonah, NY

Zach Shelomith, LSS Law, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Joe Shur, Relin, Goldstein & Crane, LLP, Rochester, NY

Gilbert Singer, Marcadis Singer PA, Tampa, FL

Regina Slowey, Orland PC, Troy, MI

Michael Sonnhalter, General Bar Inc., Cleveland, OH

Daniel Spil

Cary Sternback, Heitner & Breitstein PC, Manalapan, NJ

Michael Stillman, Stillman Law Office, Farmington Hills, MI

William Sturm, Rausch Sturm LLP (ret.), Brookfield, WI

Steven Taitz, Taroff & Taitz LLP, Bohemia, NY

Matt Tabloff, Hilco Real Estate, LLC, Northbrook, IL

Carlos Tabora, CLLA, Rolling Meadows, IL

Jonathan Tanase, CLLA, Rolling Meadows, IL

Tony Terry, CRF Solutions, Simi Valley, CA

Bob Tharnish, ABC-Amega, Inc., Elma, NY

Maribeth Thomas, Tucker Arensberg, P.C., Pittsburgh, PA

William Thrush (Nancy), Friedman, Framme & Thrush, PA, Owings Mills, MD

Gary Tier, The Forwarders List of Attorneys, Newtown, PA

Michael Tobia, Gottlieb Ostrager LLP, Armonk, NY

Robert Tyler, Law Offices of Gary A. Bemis, Riverside, CA

Themis Vlahos, CLLA, Rolling Meadows, IL

Lorna Walker, Sweet & Walker PC, San Francisco, CA

Marc Wallick, Wallick & Associates, Warwick, RI

Timothy Wan, Smith Carroad Wan & Parikh, Smithtown, NY

Lee VandenHeuvel, Ross, Stuart & Dawson, Clawson, MI

Ben Vinci, Vinci Law Office, LLC, Denver, CO

John Wanderer (Elizabeth Foyt), Wanderer Law (ret.), Las Vegas, NV

Matthew Weisberg, Weisberg Law, Morton, PA

Jay Welford, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, Southfield, MI

Jason Wetenhall, Tucker Albin & Associates, Richardson, TX

Hon. Mary Ann Whipple, US Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of OH, Toledo, OH

Richard D. White Jr. (Judy), Barber & Bartz, Tulsa, OK

Katie Whitmore, Atradius Collections, Inc., Downers Grove, IL

Tony Williams, Williams & Williams, Inc., Louisville, KY

Jeffrey Wilson, Jeffrey S. Wilson, Attorney at Law, Philadelphia, PA

Randall Woolley, Darcy & Devassy PC, Chicago, IL

Legislative Forum

CLLA panelists will provide a review of CLLA legislative and government affairs efforts during the past year, inform members about the political make-up of the current Congress and possibilities for legislation impacting the commercial law, and educate attendees about the legislative process; including drafting legislation and policy positions for consideration by members of Congress and aligned interested parties and organizations.

PANELISTS: Peter Califano, Niesar & Vestal LLP, San Francisco, CA; Conor Kelly, Webster, Chamberlain & Bean, Washington, DC; Dan Kerrick, Hogan McDaniel, Wilmington, DE; Gilbert M. Singer, Marcadis Singer P.A.

Good Forwarders Go Bad

Join us for a practical discussion between a panel of agencies and attorneys as we talk about how to handle cases that we’d rather walk away from, but it’s what you do for a good client! We’ll be discussing some do’s and don’ts on handling those situations and best practices for the relationship. This session will also touch on hot topics and relationship management tips.

PANELISTS: Robert Ash, Radius Global Solutions, Fair Lawn, NJ; Matias Eduardo Garcia, Barnett & Garcia, PLLC, Austin, TX; Bryan Press, Metro Group Maritime, Livingston, NJ

Hot Topics in Bankruptcy Case Law

This session will be a summary of important bankruptcy cases decided through March 29, 2024, including recently decided U.S. Supreme Court cases.

SPEAKER: Ronald Peterson, Of Counsel at Jenner & Block, LLP, Chicago, IL

Packers & Stockyards Act-Hidden Statutory Liens That Will Bite you in the PACA!

Our speaker will outline and discuss the use of the Packer & Shippers Act and Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act as it applies to collections in the agricultural industry. Both transactional and litigation with questions and answers from the audience.

SPEAKER: George F. Braun, Law Offices of George Braun, Washington, DC

The New Day of Real Estate: How the Market Reset is Impacting Bankruptcy Law

Our speakers will examine the ongoing volatility of the real estate market and trends to watch for by bankruptcy practitioners. The discussion will examine how to do workouts in an evolving lending environment and evaluate whether filing bankruptcy is the best course of action. The speakers will also discuss takeaways from the WeWork cases and other recent bankruptcy filings. They also will consider such topics as the enforceability of arbitration clauses and handling pre-negotiation letters. Our speakers will also address such issues as dealing with landlord liens and waivers, and why residential property conversions may not be the answer in this environment.

SPEAKERS: Hon. Thomas Lynch, US Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of IL, Rockford, IL; Jack Rose, Law Offices of Jack Rose, PLLC, LLC, Bronxville, NY; Matthew Tabloff, Hilco Real Estate, LLC, Northbrook, IL

Ethical Tips from Movies & TV Lawyers

Ethical legal actions are at the core of any and every successful law-related business endeavor, so attorneys, agencies and forwarders will find tremendous value, insight, and education in an entertaining and informative way, which will benefit your business, improve your caseload, and illustrate the value of using a CLLA vetted and approved attorney. Our speaker will use 5-6 television and movie clips to demonstrate some typical ethical issues and apply the model rules to provide guidance.

SPEAKERS: Ben H. Farrow, Anderson, Williams & Farrow, LLC, Montgomery, AL;
William H. Thrush, Friedman, Framme & Thrush, P.A., Owings Mills, MD

Four Years of the SBRA: How is it Working?

The Small Business Reorganization Act is four years old. What lessons have we learned? In the post-COVID world, does Subchapter V work better for small businesses? How do creditors view the Subchapter V experience? What have Subchapter V trustees learned about their role in a case? Join our experienced panel as they discuss practical issues addressing the ways in which Subchapter V is working and perhaps not working so far.

PANELISTS: Matthew Brash, Newpoint Advisors Corporation, Schaumburg, IL; Zach B. Shelomith, LSS Law, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Beverly Weiss Manne, Tucker Arensberg, PC, Pittsburgh, PA; Hon. Mary Ann Whipple, US Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of OH, Toledo, OH

Caution, Beware of Potholes in Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

The program will provide an opportunity for attendees to ask the experts about Chapter 11 cases and obtain guidance on identifying and avoiding the potholes along the way – starting with first day motions and continuing through plan confirmation.

Discussion topics to include:

• What to look for in the first day motions.
• Avoiding stay violations.
• How to reserve your rights if there is a DIP lender.
• Understanding cash collateral order(s) and monthly operating reports.
• Determining if you have reclamation rights.
• What sale motions mean for creditors.
• Cure amounts and what to do if your agreement is assumed and assigned (or not assumed).
• Identifying critical vendors.

PANELISTS: Hon. Janet Baer, US Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of IL, Chicago, IL; Candice Kline, Saul Ewing, LLP, Chicago, IL; Hon. Judith Fitzgerald (ret.), Tucker Arensberg, PC, Pittsburgh, PA; Thomas R. Fawkes, Tucker Ellis LLP, Chicago, IL

Cybersecurity for Law Firms

In the upcoming cybersecurity session tailored for legal professionals, attendees will gain invaluable insights into fortifying their digital practices against today’s most pervasive cyber threats. The program will kick off with an in-depth exploration of business email compromise (BEC), a type of cyber fraud that could devastate a firm’s financial integrity. We will unravel the deceptive tactics used by cybercriminals and provide practical defense strategies. The session will then pivot to the menacing landscape of ransomware attacks, discussing how these malicious software breaches can lock down critical data and disrupt legal operations. Participants will learn how to not only prevent such attacks but also how to respond effectively if they occur. Lastly, we will delve into the robust cybersecurity controls necessary for the protection of confidential client information. From encryption to two-factor authentication, lawyers will leave equipped with a toolkit of measures designed to uphold their ethical obligations in maintaining client confidentiality in the digital age.

SPEAKER: Marco Alcala, Alcala Consulting, Inc., Pasadena, CA

Litigating on Dual Fronts – Examining War Stories and Real-World Cases Involving Litigation Inside and Outside Bankruptcy

The panelists will address “cross-over” issues in the gray areas of the law that affect both bankruptcy and creditors’ rights attorneys. The program will be centered on real-world cases handled both inside and outside of bankruptcy. Discussions topics will include: fraudulent transfer cases (where a judgment against the principles is non-dischargeable), Ponzi scheme cases, (when there is a presumption of insolvency), RICO cases (when there is NO presumption of insolvency), director and officer litigation arising out of bankruptcy cases and judgment collection, dealing with bad faith filings and vexatious litigants, application of the Colorado River Doctrine and first to file rule, and debtor’s standing to prosecute claims outside of bankruptcy court.

PANELISTS: Joseph A. Marino, Marino, Mayers & Jarrach, LLC, Clifton, NJ; Randall Woolley, Darcy & Devassy PC, Chicago, IL; Kirk B. Burkley, Bernstein-Burkley, PC, Pittsburgh, PA

MORE INFORMATION

How do I access sessions?

All sessions will be accessible via Zoom. One week prior to the convention, you will receive an Attendee Information email that will direct you to the Convention Resource Center for all Zoom links to the sessions. We recommend downloading the app and setting up an account (it is free) before the first session. You can download it here: https://zoom.us/download.

Will I receive CLE/CEU for participating inthe live sessions?

All live sessions will be accredited with the state(s) in which members are registered. Be sure to register on or before Friday, March 8 in order to receive CLE state(s) accreditation.

What happens if I am unable to attend the live sessions?

Don’t worry, all the sessions will be recorded and available up to 30 days following the convention to all registered attendees. We will do everything possible to get all pre-recorded sessions accredited with each state. We ask that you know your state’s requirement(s) to insure acceptance of your session(s) for CLE.

To adhere to most states’ accreditation of CLE’s for recorded sessions, the recorded sessions must be “interactive”. You will need to identify the two (2) floating images during the viewing of the recorded session. You will need to write down the floating images on your CLE Form for each recorded session you view.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be submitted in writing. Registration fee refunds will be granted on the following schedule.

Cancellation notice received by Monday, April 22, 2024, will receive 100% refund less $50 processing fee, between April 23-May 6 will receive a 50% refund and no refund on or after May 7, 2024.

Cell Phones

Please be considerate in your cell phone use. CLLA requests that electronic devices be silenced in all sessions as a courtesy to the presenters and attendees.

EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Here’s your chance to fulfill your CLE and CEU certification requirements by attending the educational programs throughout the event.

A Note from the Education Committee Chair

“The Education committee is pleased to present its programming for this year‘s National Convention.

There will be something for agencies, attorneys, and forwarders this year with sessions on best business practices, as well as complex programs for creditors’ rights and bankruptcy. We also have the honor of welcoming multiple distinguished speakers on our education panels, including several current/past judges, and law school professors. Also, our government affairs committee will provide an update on CLLA’s legislative efforts. We are confident that these educational programs will meet our members’ wide-ranging interests and will provide any required education credit.

We look forward to seeing everyone in 2024.”    

 
Ben Farrow, CLLA Education Chair

CONVENTION EVENTS

Business Session – a Town Hall Meeting that includes the Annual Report from the League President and the Treasurer’s Report.
Nominating Debates (when necessary) – Make informed decisions on candidates running for office.
Change of Officers – Introduction of the newly installed officers.
President’s Cup – Recipient recognition.

Networking Opportunities

Pop Culture Buffs… bring your best brain-teasing solving mind, and join our Master of Ceremonies, Timothy Wan, for lively interactive hour of team building and competition!

Back by Popular Demand… It’s GOOSE Time Part 2!
Honk Honk…Grab your teammates for another round of endless opportunities to compete in a fun and memorable convention scavenger-type hunt.

AceBounce… AceBounce is the perfect spot for a night of laughter and fun around the table.

Karaoke Nightcap… Hosted by the Young Members’ Section (YMS). Let your singing talent shine at the Karaoke nightcap with desserts at the Swissôtel.

Baseball in the Bleachers… Optional Activity. Limited tickets/space available.

Sponsorship will provide you with exposure to attorneys, agencies and commercial collection professionals. This is a great opportunity to showcase your company name as one of the sponsors at the 130th National Convention. Choose your sponsorship level when you register. Show your support and sponsor today!

LANYARDS

PROGRAM

POCKET GUIDE

NOTEPADS

PENS

MULTI DEVICE CHARGING STATION

Registration Information

REGISTRATION DEADLINE

*Disclaimer: CLE credit available to attendees in qualifying states who register on or before March 8. We cannot guarantee state accreditation after March 8.
**One registration form per member.
***Please note that business colleagues are not eligible to register under this category.

Member/Non-Member Registration Fee Includes:

• Access to all Educational Sessions
• Continuing Education: CLE/CEU
• Daily Breakfast and Breaks
• Goose Chase
• Thursday’s Lunch Buffet
• Women’s Empowerment & Networking Event
• Evening Receptions
• Game Show
• Thursday Evening Karaoke Bar Nightcap
• Friday’s Annual Awards Brunch

Spouse/Guest Registration Fee Includes:

• Daily Breakfast and Breaks
• Goose Chase
• Thursday’s Lunch Buffet
• Women’s Empowerment & Networking Event
• Evening Receptions
• Game Show
• Thursday Evening Karaoke Bar Nightcap
• Friday’s Annual Awards Brunch

Virtual Registration Fee Includes:

• Access to all Educational Sessions
• Continuing Education: CLE/CEU
• Thursday’s Business Meeting
• Friday’s Annual Awards Program

Swissôtel Chicago

323 East Upper Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 565-0565
www.swissotel.com

Parking

• 303 East Wacker Garage (303 E. Wacker Dr.)
• Coast Parking (345 E, W. Wacker Dr.)
• The Tides at Lakeshore East (360 E. South Water St.)
• Illinois Center (111 E. Randolph)
• Park Millennium Parking Garage (221 N. Stetson Ave.)

Weather

Transportation

Law Offices of Gary A. Bemis
Tucker Arensberg, PC
Friedman, Framme & Thrush, PA
Miller Cohen Peterson Young, PC
Crystal R. Cole, Attorney at Law
Ben Farrow
Beverly Manne
Wagner, Falconer & Judd, Ltd.
Gilbert Garcia Group
Natalia Minassian
Phil Lattanzio
Hays & Potter
Totz Ellison & Totz PC
Edgar Davison
Candice Kline
RHK Recovery Group
Sweet & Walker PC
John Wanderer
Law Offices of T. Britt Rudman
Wetherington Hamilton
The LaSource Group
Schatzman & Schatzman, P.A.
BARR Credit Services, Inc.
American Lawyers Quarterly
Orland PC
George Eliade
NACM Southwest
Wanda Borges
Teller Levit & Silvertrust, PC
Maria Kozelek
Ellen Ellison
Dawn Federico
Mary McCann
American Lawyers Quarterly
Debbie Rubin
Jane Hays
Beverly Weiss Manne
Amy Pona
Maya Fischer
Regina Slowey
Nancy Freeman Thrush
Robin S Moselle P.A.
Hatkoff & Minassian ALC
Sarah Hamilton
Barnett & Garcia
Joseph A. Marino
Timothy Wan
Peter Califano
Law Offices of Joseph A. Molinaro, LLC
Spilotro Law Group
Graham Liccardi
Allen Law, PC
Jack Rose
Gurstel Law Firm
Relin, Goldstein & Crane, LLP
Jennifer Dlugolecki
Richard Payne
Jeff Nicolet

Back by Popular Demand… It’s GOOSE Time Part 2!

Honk Honk…Grab your teammates for another round of endless opportunities to compete in a fun and memorable convention scavenger-type hunt.

Competitor Teams will be given a series of “Missions”, all of which will be tracked on an app, “Goosechase”. At the end of the convention, winning teams will receive gift card prizes!
We hope you will join in the fun and make new connections!

15  Wednesday

Reconnect with colleagues and celebrate the first night of National at the Welcome Reception.

16  Thursday

17  Friday

ABOVE: Ron Peterson, Jenner & Block LLP, receiving the President’s Cup at the 129th CLLA National Conference.

Wednesday, May 15
4:00 – 5:00 PM CST

Legislative Forum

CLLA panelists will provide a review of CLLA legislative and government affairs efforts during the past year, inform members about the political make-up of the current Congress and possibilities for legislation impacting the commercial law, and educate attendees about the legislative process; including drafting legislation and policy positions for consideration by members of Congress and aligned interested parties and organizations.

PANELISTS: Peter Califano, Niesar & Vestal LLP, San Francisco, CA; Conor Kelly, Webster, Chamberlain & Bean, Washington, DC; Dan Kerrick, Hogan McDaniel, Wilmington, DE; Gilbert M. Singer, Marcadis Singer P.A.

Thursday, May 16
8:45 – 9:45 AM CST
TRACK 1

Good Forwarders Go Bad

Join us for a practical discussion between a panel of agencies and attorneys as we talk about how to handle cases that we’d rather walk away from, but it’s what you do for a good client! We’ll be discussing some do’s and don’ts on handling those situations and best practices for the relationship. This session will also touch on hot topics and relationship management tips.

PANELISTS: Robert Ash, Radius Global Solutions, Fair Lawn, NJ; Matias Eduardo Garcia, Barnett & Garcia, PLLC, Austin, TX; Bryan Press, Metro Group Maritime, Livingston, NJ

Thursday, May 16
8:45 – 9:45 AM CST
Track 2

Hot Topics in Bankruptcy Case Law

This session will be a summary of important bankruptcy cases decided through March 29, 2024, including recently decided U.S. Supreme Court cases.

SPEAKER: Ronald Peterson, Of Counsel at Jenner & Block, LLP, Chicago, IL

Thursday, May 16
10:00 – 11:00 AM CST
TRACK 1

Packers & Stockyards Act-Hidden Statutory Liens That Will Bite you in the PACA!

Our speaker will outline and discuss the use of the Packer & Shippers Act and Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act as it applies to collections in the agricultural industry. Both transactional and litigation with questions and answers from the audience.

SPEAKER: George F. Braun, Law Offices of George Braun, Washington, DC

Thursday, May 16
10:00 – 11:00 AM CST
Track 2

The New Day of Real Estate: How the Market Reset is Impacting Bankruptcy Law

Our speakers will examine the ongoing volatility of the real estate market and trends to watch for by bankruptcy practitioners. The discussion will examine how to do workouts in an evolving lending environment and evaluate whether filing bankruptcy is the best course of action. The speakers will also discuss takeaways from the WeWork cases and other recent bankruptcy filings. They also will consider such topics as the enforceability of arbitration clauses and handling pre-negotiation letters. Our speakers will also address such issues as dealing with landlord liens and waivers, and why residential property conversions may not be the answer in this environment.

SPEAKERS: Hon. Thomas Lynch, US Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of IL, Rockford, IL; Jack Rose, Law Offices of Jack Rose, PLLC, LLC, Bronxville, NY; Matthew Tabloff, Hilco Real Estate, LLC, Northbrook, IL

Thursday, May 16
1:30 – 2:30 PM CST
TRACK 1

Ethical Tips from Movies & TV Lawyers

Ethical legal actions are at the core of any and every successful law-related business endeavor, so attorneys, agencies and forwarders will find tremendous value, insight, and education in an entertaining and informative way, which will benefit your business, improve your caseload, and illustrate the value of using a CLLA vetted and approved attorney. Our speaker will use 5-6 television and movie clips to demonstrate some typical ethical issues and apply the model rules to provide guidance.

SPEAKERS: Ben H. Farrow, Anderson, Williams & Farrow, LLC, Montgomery, AL;
William H. Thrush, Friedman, Framme & Thrush, P.A., Owings Mills, MD

Thursday, May 16
1:30 – 2:30 PM CST
Track 2

Four Years of the SBRA: How is it Working?

The Small Business Reorganization Act is four years old. What lessons have we learned? In the post-COVID world, does Subchapter V work better for small businesses? How do creditors view the Subchapter V experience? What have Subchapter V trustees learned about their role in a case? Join our experienced panel as they discuss practical issues addressing the ways in which Subchapter V is working and perhaps not working so far.

PANELISTS: Matthew Brash, Newpoint Advisors Corporation, Schaumburg, IL; Zach B. Shelomith, LSS Law, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Beverly Weiss Manne, Tucker Arensberg, PC, Pittsburgh, PA; Hon. Mary Ann Whipple, US Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of OH, Toledo, OH

Thursday, May 16
2:45 – 4:15 PM CST

Caution, Beware of Potholes in Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

The program will provide an opportunity for attendees to ask the experts about Chapter 11 cases and obtain guidance on identifying and avoiding the potholes along the way – starting with first day motions and continuing through plan confirmation.

Discussion topics to include:

• What to look for in the first day motions.
• Avoiding stay violations.
• How to reserve your rights if there is a DIP lender.
• Understanding cash collateral order(s) and monthly operating reports.
• Determining if you have reclamation rights.
• What sale motions mean for creditors.
• Cure amounts and what to do if your agreement is assumed and assigned (or not assumed).
• Identifying critical vendors.

PANELISTS: Hon. Janet Baer, US Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of IL, Chicago, IL; Candice Kline, Saul Ewing, LLP, Chicago, IL; Hon. Judith Fitzgerald (ret.), Tucker Arensberg, PC, Pittsburgh, PA; Thomas R. Fawkes, Tucker Ellis LLP, Chicago, IL

Friday, May 17
8:30 – 9:30 AM CST

Cybersecurity for Law Firms

In the upcoming cybersecurity session tailored for legal professionals, attendees will gain invaluable insights into fortifying their digital practices against today’s most pervasive cyber threats. The program will kick off with an in-depth exploration of business email compromise (BEC), a type of cyber fraud that could devastate a firm’s financial integrity. We will unravel the deceptive tactics used by cybercriminals and provide practical defense strategies. The session will then pivot to the menacing landscape of ransomware attacks, discussing how these malicious software breaches can lock down critical data and disrupt legal operations. Participants will learn how to not only prevent such attacks but also how to respond effectively if they occur. Lastly, we will delve into the robust cybersecurity controls necessary for the protection of confidential client information. From encryption to two-factor authentication, lawyers will leave equipped with a toolkit of measures designed to uphold their ethical obligations in maintaining client confidentiality in the digital age.

SPEAKER: Marco Alcala, Alcala Consulting, Inc., Pasadena, CA

Friday, May 17
9:45 –11:00 AM CST

Litigating on Dual Fronts – Examining War Stories and Real-World Cases Involving Litigation Inside and Outside Bankruptcy

The panelists will address “cross-over” issues in the gray areas of the law that affect both bankruptcy and creditors’ rights attorneys. The program will be centered on real-world cases handled both inside and outside of bankruptcy. Discussions topics will include: fraudulent transfer cases (where a judgment against the principles is non-dischargeable), Ponzi scheme cases, (when there is a presumption of insolvency), RICO cases (when there is NO presumption of insolvency), director and officer litigation arising out of bankruptcy cases and judgment collection, dealing with bad faith filings and vexatious litigants, application of the Colorado River Doctrine and first to file rule, and debtor’s standing to prosecute claims outside of bankruptcy court.

PANELISTS: Joseph A. Marino, Marino, Mayers & Jarrach, LLC, Clifton, NJ; Randall Woolley, Darcy & Devassy PC, Chicago, IL; Kirk B. Burkley, Bernstein-Burkley, PC, Pittsburgh, PA

MORE INFORMATION

Code of Conduct

The Commercial Law League of America has zero-tolerance for discrimination and all forms of harassment, including but not limited to sexual harassment. Our zero-tolerance policy means that no form of discriminatory or harassing conduct by or towards any CLLA member, exhibitor, presenter, attendee, vendor or staff member will be tolerated. The CLLA is committed to assuring compliance with its policy at all levels within the association. By registering for this event, you agree to accept the Code of Conduct Policy.

CLE Credit

The Commercial Law League is applying for CLE with those states that require CLE credits for their licensed attorneys. All attorney attendees will receive a CLE Attendance Record form in their registration packet. At the conclusion of the Conference, please submit your form via email to mary.mccann@clla.org by Friday, May 31, 2024, or drop off your form at the Registration Desk.

CEU Credit

All CLLA Certified Agencies will receive a CEU Attendance Record form in their registration packet if recertification credits for the next fiscal year are needed. At the conclusion of the Conference, please submit your form via email to mary.mccann@clla.org by Friday, May 31, 2024, or drop off your form at the Registration Desk.

Special Needs

The Commercial Law League of America is happy to assist you with any special needs or requirements you may have. Visit the Registration Desk and a staff member will be happy to assist.

Dress Code

All CLLA Convention events are business casual.

Presentation Information

Commercial Law League of America’s 2024 National Convention presentation materials will be available to view/download through a link provided via email the week following the convention.

Name Badges

The Commercial Law League of America requires all attendees to properly display their name badge at all Convention sessions and events.

How do I access sessions?

All sessions will be accessible via Zoom. One week prior to the convention, you will receive an Attendee Information email that will direct you to the Convention Resource Center for all Zoom links to the sessions. We recommend downloading the app and setting up an account (it is free) before the first session. You can download it here: https://zoom.us/download.

Will I receive CLE/CEU for participating inthe live sessions?

All live sessions will be accredited with the state(s) in which members are registered. Be sure to register on or before Friday, March 8 in order to receive CLE state(s) accreditation.

What happens if I am unable to attend the live sessions?

Don’t worry, all the sessions will be recorded and available up to 30 days following the convention to all registered attendees. We will do everything possible to get all pre-recorded sessions accredited with each state. We ask that you know your state’s requirement(s) to insure acceptance of your session(s) for CLE.

To adhere to most states’ accreditation of CLE’s for recorded sessions, the recorded sessions must be “interactive”. You will need to identify the two (2) floating images during the viewing of the recorded session. You will need to write down the floating images on your CLE Form for each recorded session you view.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be submitted in writing. Registration fee refunds will be granted on the following schedule.

Cancellation notice received by Monday, April 22, 2024, will receive 100% refund less $50 processing fee, between April 23-May 6 will receive a 50% refund and no refund on or after May 7, 2024.

Cell Phones

Please be considerate in your cell phone use. CLLA requests that electronic devices be silenced in all sessions as a courtesy to the presenters and attendees.