Robert Ash
Windham Professionals, Inc., Fair Lawn, NJ
Robert Ash is a seasoned veteran of the collection industry; with over 20 years’ experience in Accounts Receivable Management, Consumer Collections and Commercial Debt Collections. His longstanding career with AMS began in 1997, when Robert joined the collection team. After six years of delivering exceptional recovery results and service to AMS’ clients, Robert was promoted to Legal Department Manager. Robert’s financial expertise and strong communication skills provide a seamless transition from collections to litigation. As a member of the Commercial Law League of America (CLLA) and active participation within the CLLA’s Eastern Regional Committee, Robert has developed and cultivated close associations with a network of collection attorneys throughout the country, ensuring AMS’ clients have the best representation to meet their legal needs.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Wanda Borges
Borges & Associates, LLC, Syosset, NY
Wanda Borges, Esq. is the principal member of Borges & Associates, LLC, a law firm based in Syosset, New York. For more than forty years, Ms. Borges has concentrated her practice on commercial litigation and creditors’ rights in bankruptcy matters, representing corporate clients and creditors’ committees throughout the United States in Chapter 11 proceedings, out of court settlements, commercial transactions, and preference litigation. She is a member and Past President of the Commercial Law League of America and has been an Attorney Member of its National Board of Governors, a Chair of the Bankruptcy Section and Creditors’ Rights Section. She is the President of the Commercial Law League Fund for Public Education. She is a member of several bar associations, including the American Bar Association, the American Bankruptcy Institute, and the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers. Ms. Borges serves on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Commercial Collectors, of which her firm is an associate member.
She is an internationally recognized lecturer and author on various legal topics including Bankruptcy Issues such as 503(b)(9) claims and preferences, the Uniform Commercial Code, ECOA, FCRA, antitrust law, and current legal issues such as Credit Card Surcharge issues, social media, Cybersecurity and Ethics for the Trade Credit Grantor and current proposed legislation that may impact trade credit grantors. Ms. Borges has authored, edited, and continues to contribute to numerous publications including Thomson West’s Enforcing Judgments and Collecting Debts in New York (as its Editor-in-Chief and Lead Author), NAB’s book Out of the Red and into the Black, the BCCA’s Credit & Collection Handbook, The Financial Manager, and the CLLA’s Commercial Law World Magazine. She has authored the treatise “Hidden Liens, Who is Entitled to What?” and NACM’s Antitrust, Restraint of Trade and Unfair Competition: Myth Versus Reality, most recently revised in 2017. She is a contributing author to NACM’s Manual of Credit and Collection Laws and Principles of Business Credit. She has co-authored The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 – An Overhaul of U.S. Bankruptcy Law, also published by the NACM and her article has “Uniform Voidable Transactions Act (US) has been published by the British Law Journal – Insolvency Intelligence.
In October 1996, Ms. Borges was awarded the Mercy College Trustee’s Medal for outstanding dedication to her profession and alma mater. In September 2000, she was named one of the “50 Outstanding Alumni” of Mercy College. In February 2001, she received the “Career Achievement Award” from the Broadcast Cable Credit Association. In November 2010, Ms. Borges received the “Robert E. Caine Award for Leadership” from the Commercial Law League of America. In April 2015, Ms. Borges received a “Woman of Distinction” award from St. Catharine Academy, her high school alma mater. Ms. Borges has been included in the New York Super Lawyers – Metro Edition list (Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights) each year since 2009. She is listed in Who’s Who in America.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Peter Califano
Cooper, White & Cooper, LLP, San Francisco, CA
Peter Califano has over 30 years of experience representing creditors and debtors in all aspects of insolvency-related matters, including bankruptcy and state law insolvency proceedings, litigation, and related business transactions. He has special expertise in representing parties in non-bankruptcy alternatives such as assignments for the benefit of creditors, receiverships, and dissolutions, along with equipment leasing and financing. Mr. Califano has successfully represented a wide range of individuals’ and institutional clients’ interests. He currently is the chair of Cooper’s Bankruptcy & Insolvency Group.
Mr. Califano is active in the bankruptcy bar leading several national and regional bankruptcy organizations and is a frequent speaker and writer on bankruptcy-related topics. In September 2011, he testified in Washington, D.C. before the Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law of the House Judiciary Committee on bankruptcy venue reform. He remains active on the issue and helped to draft the Bankruptcy Venue Reform Act of 2018 (S. 2282), introduced on January 8, 2018, by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). As President of the California Bankruptcy Forum, he helped to develop and create the Pro Bono Project in 2013, a statewide program to assist indigent debtors with access to the courts. Since 1997, Mr. Califano has been a member of the Panel of mediators for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California’s Dispute Resolution Program and since 2008 he has been a member of the Early Neutral Evaluators’ Panel for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Mr. Califano is AV Preeminent rated by Martindale Hubbell. He is currently the Past President for the Commercial Law League of America (CLLA) where he continues to support the partnership between the International Association of Commercial Collectors and the CLLA.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Hon. Donald Cassling
US Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of IL
Donald R. Cassling is a United States Bankruptcy Judge in the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division. He was appointed for a 14‐year term on January 18, 2012. Prior to his appointment, he was a commercial litigator at Quarles & Brady and Jenner & Block. He received his undergraduate degree from Duke University and his law degree from the University of Chicago, where he was also on the Editorial Board of the Law Review. Following graduation, he clerked for the Honorable John R. Brown, Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Robert P. Charbonneau
Agentis, PLLC, Coral Gables, FL
Robert Charbonneau is a founding member of the firm, Agentis, PLLC. He concentrates his practice in troubled loan workouts, business restructuring and dispute resolution and insolvency matters. Bob has particularly broad experience representing statutory committees, including creditors’ committees, and funds purchasing distressed debt.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Hon. Judith Fitzgerald (Ret.)
Tucker Arensberg, PC, Pittsburgh, PA
Hon. Judith Fitzgerald (Ret.) A long-time member of CLLA, Retired U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Judith K. Fitzgerald has been blessed with an exciting, challenging and intellectually stimulating career. As a Judicial Law Clerk, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Chief Bankruptcy Judge, Professor of Law, Practitioner at Tucker Arensberg, Arbitrator, Mediator, Author and Expert Witness, she has experienced a wide variety of legal disciplines and administrative responsibilities. Judi is a Professor in the Practice of Law at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where she teaches Bankruptcy and Advanced Bankruptcy. She is active in national and local professional organizations including the Commercial Law League of America, the American Law Institute, the American College of Bankruptcy. The American Bankruptcy institute and the American Inns of Court. Among other offices, she has served as President of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges and as Chair of the Bankruptcy Judges Advisory Committee to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Judi has received numerous awards and recognitions including the Commercial Law League’s Lawrence P. King Award for Excellence in Bankruptcy and the American Inns of Court Bankruptcy Alliance Distinguished Service Award. Judi consults and lectures in matters involving trial strategy, evidence, procedure, contracts, bankruptcy, and professional responsibility, and participates on several committees and boards dedicated to fostering legal education and improving access to justice.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Lori Frank
Markoff Law PLLC, Southfield, MI
Lori J. Frank received her undergraduate degree from Boston University and law degree from Detroit College of Law now known as Michigan State University College of Law. Lori is the President of the Michigan Creditors Bar Association. She is a past board member for the Commercial Law League of America, and has lobbied in Congress and Lansing. Lori is an active member of the State Bar and Oakland County Bar Associations and is the proud dog mom of Big Popi & Little Khalessi.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
FRIDAY, MAY 20
James Hurley
Fowler White Burnett, Miami, FL
James N. Hurley is a Shareholder and Chair for the firm’s Admiralty and Maritime Law Practice Group. With over 30 years of experience handling complex matters in the maritime industry, Jim provides full-cycle legal representation to his clients, from helping them achieve their initial goals to ensuring their continued success should disputes arise. Jim represents domestic and international insurers, cargo carriers, major cruise lines, operators and charter companies, and marina and terminal owners and operators in negotiating and drafting various marine-related contracts essential to their business, including the purchase, construction and sale of vessels, financing and vessel registration, concessionaire contracts, contracts for charters, and storage contracts. Additionally, Jim regularly assists private clients with purchasing, financing, and registering multi-million dollar vessels for personal use. Jim has significant experience trying maritime and admiralty cases in state and federal courts, and frequently represents clients in disputes including passenger and crew personal injury claims, first party coverage disputes, property damage claims, and commercial disputes. Jim also advises clients on regulatory compliances issues and defends civil, criminal, and administrative enforcement actions. Board Certified in Admiralty & Maritime Law by The Florida Bar, Jim served on the Certification Committee of the Admiralty and Maritime Section of The Florida Bar, and assisted in drafting the certification exam. He is also past Chair of the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute, where he currently serves on its Advisory Committee.
Jim is consistently recognized by esteemed legal publications Florida Super Lawyers, Florida Trend Legal Elite, and The Best Lawyers in America®, which recognized Jim as the “Best Lawyers® Miami Transportation Law Lawyer of the Year” for the 2022 edition as well as the “Best Lawyers®Miami Admiralty and Maritime Lawyer of the Year” in 2011, 2015 and 2017. Widely recognized for his professional expertise, Jim is a frequent author on various topics in domestic and international maritime law, and is called upon to share his experience at maritime seminars throughout the country.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Conor Kelly
Webster, Chamberlain & Bean, Washington, DC
Conor Kelly is an associate attorney at Webster, Chamberlain & Bean LLP in Washington, D.C. specializing in government relations. Before joining the firm, Conor worked as a counsel for Senator Amy Klobuchar on the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, where he focused on issues including voting rights, election administration, and investigations into events surrounding January 6. He graduated from George Washington University Law School, where he served as a member of the Federal Communications Law Journal and worked in law clerk positions on Capitol Hill and with a voting rights nonprofit. He holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia, where he majored in history and government and wrote a thesis on the Iraq anti-war movement in the United States that won the history department’s award for best undergraduate thesis in modern American history.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Patrick J. Kilburn
Lloyd & McDaniel, PLC, Louisville, KY
Patrick Kilburn’s practice centers around the representation of banks, large and small corporations, and general creditors in the collection of past due accounts both in and outside of litigation throughout Lloyd & McDaniel’s growing Southeast U.S. footprint. After working for a local regional bank, Mr. Kilburn brings clients real-world experience to protect their interests. Mr. Kilburn attended the University of Kentucky, B.B.A. Finance, 2004, and University of Louisville, Brandeis School of Law, J.D., 2007. He is admitted to practice in the State of Indiana, Commonwealth of Kentucky, State of Florida, United States District Court, Western District of Kentucky, United States Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Kentucky, United States District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky, United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Kentucky, United States District Court, Southern District of Indiana, United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Indiana.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
FRIDAY, MAY 20
Candice L. Kline
Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr, LLP, Chicago, IL
Candice Kline is a partner at Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr and focuses on bankruptcy and restructuring situations and litigation. She serves in leadership at various bar and trade associations and is a member of the CLLA’s Bankruptcy Section Executive Council. Candice has an MBA and JD and began her legal career after many years in global commercial banking and business, including startups. She practices in Illinois and Ohio with a nationwide docket in complex commercial matters.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Beverly Weiss Manne
Tucker Arensberg, PC, Pittsburgh, PA
Beverly Weiss Manne, Esq. is a shareholder in the Insolvency and Creditors’ Rights Department of the law firm of Tucker Arensberg, P.C. in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and had been the chair of that department for over twenty years until 2020. Beverly is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Her practice includes creditors’ rights, commercial loan originations, restructuring and liquidations, receiverships, complex bankruptcies and reorganizations, and commercial lending/leasing workouts. Beverly has been an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law teaching Commercial Paper and Banking (Payment Systems) since 2003 and has taught Secured Transactions. From 1981 to 1986, Ms. Manne was an attorney for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of General Counsel, Regions I, II and III. She earned her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law as well as her B.A., magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa.
Ms. Manne was a founding member and served a two-year term as the initial president of the Judith K. Fitzgerald Western Pennsylvania Bankruptcy American Inn of Court, was on the Inn’s executive committee and is currently a Barrister in that Inn. Ms. Manne is also a member of the Commercial Law League of America and serves on the Bankruptcy Section Executive Committee and NCBJ Planning Committee. Ms. Manne is also a member of the ABA, PBA and Allegheny County Bar Association, International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation, Commercial Law League Bankruptcy and Executive Committee, American Bankruptcy Institute, and a past Chair of the ACBA Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Section. She is Vice Chair and Education Liaison of the PBA Business Law Section Council and chair of the Insolvency Law Modernization Task Force, and on the committees for the Western District Bankruptcy Court Chapter 11 Subchapter V Small Business procedures as well as the Complex Chapter 11 Procedures committee. Ms. Manne is a member, and was president, of the PBA Shale Energy Committee and a member, an ex-officio officer and board member of the Turnaround Management Association and TMA International. Ms. Manne was a member of the PBA Avoidable Transfer Act Adoption Task Force, the PBA Insolvency Law Task Force (1994-1996), and the UCC Article 9 Revisions Task Forces which were responsible for the adoption of Revised Article 9 in Pennsylvania in 2001 and the revisions in 2011.
Ms. Manne is a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer in Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights Category for 2006 through the present and was selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2007 through the present in the Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law category.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Joseph Marino, Esq.
Marino, Mayers & Jarrach, LLC, Clifton, NJ
Joseph A. Marino, Esq. became a Board Certified Creditors Rights Specialist in 1994, and received his Juris Doctor, from the New England School of Law, MA in1976, and a Bachelor of Science in Commerce at the
St. Louis University, MO in1971. He was admitted New Jersey State Bar in 1976, the Florida State Bar in1976, and the Washington D.C. Bar in1977.
Joseph has been a member of the Commercial Law League of America and the American Bar Association since1978. His is affiliated with the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the Unico Foundation, the Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs, and the International Honor Society of the Sovereign Military Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta.
Joseph A. Marino, Esq. is a Board Certified Creditors’ Rights Specialist and contributing author to various legal publications with over 33 years of experience, and spearheads the firm’s practice.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Donald A. Mauser
Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., LPA
Don Mausar practices in commercial and consumer collections, Don brings more than 25 years of experience to the firm. He aims to bring a “concierge level service” to his clients, who are typically the decision makers from large financial institutions to small family businesses. Focusing primarily on complex claims, his matters typically include high balance contested matters that involve a blend of legal action and collection work. Don is an active member of the legal community and the creditors’ rights industry. He is also a frequent presenter on a variety of topics, including the collections of transportation claims, B2B receivables, and collection best practices. Don is the managing attorney for the firm’s downtown Cleveland, Ohio office, where he is responsible for spearheading office-specific initiatives that help shape the culture of the firm. In his free time, Don enjoys live theater, sporting events, hiking, golfing, playing cards, and long car rides. He is an auto enthusiast and loves anything with an engine.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Jeffrey S. Nicolet
Wagner, Falconer & Judd, Ltd., Minneapolis, MN
Jeffrey S. Nicolet is a graduate of Luther College (B.A. 1991); Graduate of William Mitchell College of Law (J.D. 1994); Licensed to practice in MN (1994) and WI (2002); Member of Hennepin County Bar Association, Minnesota Bar Association, and Wisconsin Bar Association; Shareholder of Wagner, Falconer & Judd, Ltd. – joined firm in 1998; Leads WFJ’s Commercial Collection and Litigation Practice. Born and raised in the Midwest living in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, but has called MN home for over 30 years. Jeff enjoys spending time with friends and family.
FRIDAY, MAY 20
Joel Oster
Comedian of Law
Joel Oster is a litigator, podcaster and speaker to attorneys and non-attorneys alike. He currently is in private practice in Kansas City, specializing in constitutional litigation, ethics, campaign finance, and appellate advocacy. He previously served as senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom at its Kansas City Regional Service Center. While at ADF, he was counsel for the Town of Greece, New York in the landmark case Galloway v. Greece. Joel argued the case before the United States District Court for the Western District of New York and the Second Circuit and was part of the legal team presenting the case to the U.S. Supreme Court where they successfully defended the Town against a challenge to its practice of opening its sessions with an invocation.
Joel has also spoken to thousands of attorneys across the United States and has learned from their successful and unsuccessful legal practices. Joel brings this practical perspective to all his seminars.
Oster earned his J.D. in 1997 from the University of Kansas School of Law. Oster is admitted to the bar in Kansas, Missouri, Florida, and numerous federal courts.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18
Richard J. Payne
Morrison & Barristers & Solicitors, Toronto, ON, Canada
Richard Payne attended Dalhoise Law School and obtained his Bachelor of Laws. Mr. Payne was the Valedictorian of his class. He has been called to the Bar of the Province of Nova Scotia and in the Province of Ontario and has maintained a civil litigation practice at the offices of Morrison and Payne, Barristers and Solicitors in Toronto. Mr. Payne is a member of the Commercial Law League of America, the Canadian Bar Association, the Ontario Bar Association, the Law Society of Ontario, the Nova Scotia Barrister Society. His practice consists of a large volume of civil litigation including commercial debt collection claims and construction liens. Mr. Payne is a member of the Board of Governors of the Commercial Law League of America and the former chair of the CLLA Creditors’ Rights Section.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Making Your Unsecured Creditor Client Feel More Secure
Ronald R. Peterson
Partner, Jenner & Block LLP, Chicago, IL
Ronald R. Peterson, Partner, Jenner & Block LLP in Chicago, Illinois. He concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial, insolvency and bankruptcy law. Mr. Peterson has presided over numerous complex commercial cases, including Stotler & Co., the country’s 10th largest commodities house, and Lancelot Investors Fund, L.P., a $1.7 billion Ponzi scheme. He is the Chairman of the Creditors’ Committee in Thomas J. Petters, a $3.5 billion Ponzi scheme. Mr. Peterson served as the examiner in the Chapter 11 case of Robert Lund, a large real estate developer.
Mr. Peterson has been a member of the panel of Chapter 7 Trustees for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, since 1987. He is the past President of the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees.
Mr. Peterson is a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy and a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute. He is a member of the Business Bankruptcy Committee of the Business Law Section and the Bankruptcy Litigation Committee of the Litigation Section of the American Bar Association. He is a member of the International Association of Restructuring, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Professionals, and the Commercial Law League of America. In 2014, the Commercial Law League of America awarded Mr. Peterson the Lawrence P. King Award.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Hot Topics in Bankruptcy Case Law
John O. Postl
John Postl, PC, Boston, MA
John O. Postl has practiced law for over twenty-seven years’ concentrating in the area of general civil litigation with an emphasis on creditors’ rights. Mr. Postl is a 1987 graduate of the University of Vermont and a 1994 cum laude graduate of Suffolk University Law School in Boston. Mr. Postl serves on the executive committee of the CLLA Creditors’ Rights Section and is a member of the Membership Committee. Mr. Postl also serves on the Executive Committee of the Boston chapter of the American Inns of Court and as a volunteer hearing officer for the Board of Bar Overseers. Mr. Postl has been an active member of Civil Air Patrol- the United States Air Force Auxiliary since 1981. As a CAP lieutenant colonel, Mr. Postl has served in positions including mission pilot and assistant National Legal Officer.
FRIDAY, MAY 20
The Benefits and Pitfalls of E-Filing
John S. Pucin
Caine & Weiner Co., Inc., Schaumburg, IL
John Pucin is a creditor’s rights attorney with over 25 years of industry experience. He has been a member of the Commercial Law League for over twenty (20) years and is a past chair of the Midwest Region. He was instrumental in the recent rewrite and update the CLLA Operative Guides He has had the unique opportunity to work in both the law firm and agency environment. He currently manages multiple priorities in his position as Senior Vice President, Corporate Counsel for Caine & Weiner Company, Inc. This includes compliance, negotiation, management of personnel, litigation, team leadership, and marketing. He understands how to execute strategic objectives and has a strong passion for consistent deliverance of client satisfaction. A unique combination of courtroom competency and ability to manage and help grow an organization provides John the necessary experience to coordinate, assess, and lead Legal Department and affiliated law firm. John is admitted to the State Bars in Illinois and Ohio along with the United States District Courts of Northern Illinois, Northern Ohio, and Southern Ohio. He graduated in 1988 from Xavier University, Cincinnati OH with a B.S.B.A./Finance and in 1992 with a Juris Doctor degree from the Capital University Law School, Columbus Ohio.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Where are Collections Today: Best Practices and Recent Trends
Nancy Rapoport
UNLV, Las Vegas, NV
Nancy B. Rapoport is the Garman Turner Gordon Professor of Law at the William S. Boyd School of Law, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and an Affiliate Professor of Business Law and Ethics in the Lee Business School at UNLV. After receiving her B.A., summa cum laude, from Rice University in 1982 and her J.D. from Stanford Law School in 1985, she clerked for the Honorable Joseph T. Sneed III on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and then practiced law (primarily bankruptcy law) with Morrison & Foerster in San Francisco from 1986-1991. Her specialties are bankruptcy ethics, ethics in governance, law firm behavior, and the depiction of lawyers in popular culture. In 2001, she was elected to membership in the American Law Institute, and in 2002, she received a Distinguished Alumna Award from Rice University. She is also a Fellow of the American Bar
Foundation and a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy. In 2009, the Association of Media and Entertainment Counsel presented her with the Public Service Counsel Award at the 4th Annual Counsel of the Year Awards. In 2017, she received the Commercial Law League of America’s Lawrence P. King Award for Excellence in Bankruptcy, and in 2018, she was one of the recipients of the NAACP Legacy Builder Awards (Las Vegas Branch #1111). She is the Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Mob Museum and a Trustee of Claremont Graduate University.
FRIDAY, MAY 20
Jack Rose
Kroll, New York, NY
Jack Rose is a Managing Director in the Restructuring Advisory practice at Kroll LLC in New York. Jack focuses his practice on Distressed MM&A and Special Situations. Jack has more than 30 years of experience in the restructuring industry.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
The Bankruptcy Unwave–The Ongoing Impact of COVID-19 on All Things Legal
Deborah Rubin
Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, PC, Southfield, MI
Deborah Rubin is an attorney in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Insolvency & Reorganization practice groups at Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, PC. She concentrates her practice in all areas of bankruptcy law, including representation of creditors’ committees and corporate debtors in bankruptcy proceedings and commercial litigation. She also has significant experience representing plaintiffs and defendants in avoidance litigation, fraud, discharge proceedings, relief from the automatic stay, preferences, collection proceedings, and other insolvency actions. Deborah represents businesses with workouts and assignments for the benefit of creditors and provides strategic counsel and creative solutions in all types of bankruptcy and insolvency matters. Deborah has experience with all phases of litigation from inception through resolution, handling matters in state and federal court at the trial and appellate levels.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Zach Shelomith
Leiderman Shelomith + Somodevilla, PLLC, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Zach Shelomith is a founding member of Leiderman Shelomith + Somodevilla, PLLC, in Fort Lauderdale. He handles corporate and personal bankruptcy and insolvency law. Zach is Board Certified in Business Bankruptcy Law and Consumer Bankruptcy Law by the American Board of Certification.
Zach is a past president of the Bankruptcy Bar Association for the Southern District of Florida, is the Chair-Elect of the Bankruptcy Law Section of the Commercial Law League of America and is also the Co-Chairperson of the Broward County Bar Association Bankruptcy Law Section. Zach co-authored the book Individual Chapter 11, published by the American Bankruptcy Institute and has contributed to other articles of interest in the bankruptcy community
Zach obtained a B.B.A. from the University of Miami and a J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law.
Zach resides in Cooper City, Florida with his wife and two children.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Gilbert M. Singer
Marcadis Singer, PA, Tampa, FL
Gilbert M. Singer is a Florida Debt Collection Attorney, and Partner in Marcadis Singer, P.A.
Gilbert Singer was born in New York in 1955, graduated from Emory University in 1976, and earned his Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Miami School of Law in 1979. Gil is a member of The Florida Bar, Hillsborough County Bar Association, and the Commercial Law League of America in which he served as Southern Region Chair in 2018—2019. He has an AV Rating with Martindale—Hubbell. For over 41 years, Gil has been a member of the Kiwanis Club of Tampa where he served as President during 1996-1997 and was the recipient of the Doyle Carlton Memorial Award in 2002 honoring the Kiwanian of the Year.
Mr. Singer is a founding member and former President of the Grand Krewe de Libertalia, the first multi-cultural Krewe in Tampa history, and was a longtime volunteer attorney for the Guardian Ad Litem program in Hillsborough County. He currently volunteers with Bay Area Legal Services and Crossroads for Florida Kids representing older children in foster care. He has also been active as a Board Member for Joshua House, A Kid’s Place, For the Family, and LifeLink. He served on the Citizens Advisory Commission to the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, and in 1996 he was honored by The Florida Bar and the Florida Supreme Court for his pro bono service.
Gil serves on the Hillsborough County Republican Executive Committee and was their attorney for over 20 years. He led the Hillsborough County legal response team for the re-election of Governor Jeb Bush in 2002. He was a member of President George W. Bush’s Legal Team, and actively participated in the 2000 Florida recount. He also participated as a member of John McCain’s and Mitt Romney’s legal teams.
In 2002, Jeb Bush appointed Mr. Singer to the Florida Commission on Human Relations where he served a four-year term as Commissioner. In 2007, Governor Charlie Christ re—appointed him to this same post where he was elected Chairman. He served as Chairman of the Commission for four years and served on the Commission for over 18 years. Gil has been and continues to be active as a volunteer in local, statewide, and national political campaigns.
In 2011, Mr. Singer was appointed by Florida Governor Rick Scott to the Judicial Nominating Commission for the 13th Judicial Circuit. In 2018, he was elected as its Chair and served an eight-year term which ended in 2020. Florida’s Judicial Nominating Commissions are constitutionally created non—partisan bodies designed to interview and nominate diverse, highly qualified candidates for judgeships to the Governor for appointment when a judicial vacancy arises.
Gil has published several articles on creditors ’ rights law in various publications. He has been nominated for “Lawyers of Distinction” and as 2021 “Elite Lawyer” and “Premier Lawyers of America”. He is a member of Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club and The Royal Krewe of Privateers.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Michael J. Sonnhalter
General Bar, Cleveland, OH
Michael J. Sonnhalter is Vice President of General Bar, Inc. In 1983, Mike and his family acquired General Bar and continue to develop it into the successful and widely-acclaimed creditors’ rights attorney network it is today. The Sonnhalter family, along with their dedicated staff, is providing the industry with a succession plan to take care of its needs now and for many years to come. They continually challenge themselves to provide the best product on the market, noting that their loyal customers inspire them to strive for excellence. During Mike’s 30-plus years at General Bar, he honorably serves on the Commercial Law League of America (CLLA) Board of Governors, Midwest Region Executive Council, Membership Committee and Young Members’ Section.
FRIDAY, MAY 20
Eric Van Horn
Spencer Fane, Dallas, TX
Eric Van Horn is a partner in the Dallas office of Spencer Fane LLP, a national business law firm with offices throughout the country. Eric assists clients nationwide with all aspects of bankruptcy, reorganizations, negotiations, collection actions, multijurisdictional insolvencies, and corporate liquidations. His work in complex Chapter11 and Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases has involved representing committees of unsecured creditors and investors, debtors, trustees, secured lenders, landlords, and general unsecured creditors (including critical vendors and suppliers). He also defends clients against bankruptcy preference and fraudulent transfer (claw back) lawsuits and assists clients in bidding on and acquiring assets out of bankruptcy cases. His specific industry experience includes clients in oil and gas, manufacturing, health care, restaurant, manufacturing, retail, and technology industries.
Eric served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Leif M. Clark, retired bankruptcy judge in the Western District of Texas, San Antonio. He graduated from The University of Texas School of Law and served as a Research Assistant for Professor Jay L. Westbrook.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Lorna Walker
The Law Offices of Sweet & Walker, PC, San Francisco, CA
Lorna Walker is a principal in the Law Offices of Sweet & Walker, P.C. and is the managing attorney. She has practiced law in the San Francisco Bay Area for almost 30 years, focusing on commercial litigation and collection matters. In addition to her state court litigation practice, Ms. Walker represents clients in the United States District and Bankruptcy Courts for the Northern, Central, and Eastern Districts of California. She also has handled international arbitration cases and appellate matters in both State and Federal Courts.
Ms. Walker is actively involved in several legal organizations and is a past president of the Board of Governors for the Commercial Law League of America (“CLLA”), chairs the CLLA National Education Committee, and sits on the education committee for the International Association of Commercial Collectors. She is a frequent speaker on creditor’s rights topics and has presented programs for various trade groups, including programs directed to the oil and gas industry, the agricultural industry, the wine industry, the food and beverage industry, the marijuana industry, and various finance, credit management, and legal associations.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Timothy Wan
Smith Carroad Levy Wan & Parikh, Commack, NY
Timothy Wan, Esq. is Senior Partner and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Smith Carroad Levy Wan & Parikh. Mr. Wan’s areas of expertise include managing the creditor’s rights and collection law practice, serving as General Counsel to various small businesses in the local business community, and spearheading practice in the area of entertainment law, music law, copyright, and intellectual property.
Mr. Wan was admitted to the New York State Bar in January 2001, after graduating from Brooklyn Law School for his Juris Doctor where he was a member of the Moot Court Honor Society, and from Vassar College with a double B.A. in Political Science and Theatre in 1997. This background has fostered Mr. Wan’s trial and courtroom skills; throughout his career, he has successfully tried several hundred litigation matters, as well as successfully brought and defended appeals on healthcare-related matters to the appellate courts in the State of New York. Mr. Wan is admitted to the United States District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts, and is a member of the New York State and Suffolk County Bar Associations.
Mr. Wan is a Past Chair of the Eastern Region of the Commercial Law League of America, a Past Chair of the CLLA Young Member’s Section, past member of the Board of Governors, and served as the first ever two-consecutive-term President from 2019-2021. He also serves as the President of the New York State Creditors Bar Association. Mr. Wan is a two-time Past President of the Infinite Exchange Chapter of BNI, and a member of the International Association of Commercial Collectors. Mr. Wan is a published author of the New York chapter of the textbook, Judgement Enforcement published by Aspen Publishing, and is a featured columnist and on the Board of Associate Editors for Commercial Law World. He is also the attorney advisor to the Commack High School Mock Trial team, and regularly lectures on topics regarding creditor’s rights, collection law, business change management, improving business efficiency, and legal strategy.
FRIDAY, MAY 20
Jay L. Welford
Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, PC, Southfield, MI
Jay Welford is an attorney in our Insolvency & Reorganization, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice groups at Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, PC. He specializes in the areas of bankruptcy and corporate restructuring, lending, and leasing law, and general corporate representation.
In the bankruptcy and corporate restructuring areas, Jay represents debtors, creditors’ committees, lenders, and leasing companies. He acts as origination and recovery counsel for various lending institutions and leasing companies. Based on his corporate restructuring experience, Jay also acts as outside general counsel to a variety of companies in diverse industries, including construction, manufacturing, trucking, business services, and equipment leasing. Through his years of engagements, Jay also has specific expertise in franchising law, including the development of franchise systems. Jay has assisted a variety of clients in the formation of joint ventures, including joint ventures seeking minority certification.
Jay is a frequent author and lecturer for such organizations as the Commercial Law League of America, the American Bankruptcy Institute, Law Education Institute, the Equipment Leasing, and Finance Association, and the National Business Institute.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Nicholas J. Zeher
Robert Allen Law, Palm Beach, FL
Nick Zeher is a lawyer who handles all types of yacht matters for Robert Allen Law. Growing up in South Florida, Nick spent his spare time on the water working on charter boats. At the age of 18, Nick began what would be more than a decade of serving as a full-time, professional yacht captain. After his time as a yacht captain, Nick obtained his Juris Doctorate at St. Thomas University School of Law. Prior to his time at Robert Allen Law, Nick served as a Public Defender in Palm Beach County, where he handled over 1000 separate cases and tried over 25 jury trials to verdict.
At Robert Allen Law, Nick’s broad experience makes him a natural fit for both the Litigation and Transaction teams of Yacht Lawyers.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Robert Ash
Windham Professionals, Inc.
Fair Lawn, NJ
Robert Ash is a seasoned veteran of the collection industry; with over 20 years’ experience in Accounts Receivable Management, Consumer Collections and Commercial Debt Collections. His longstanding career with AMS began in 1997, when Robert joined the collection team. After six years of delivering exceptional recovery results and service to AMS’ clients, Robert was promoted to Legal Department Manager. Robert’s financial expertise and strong communication skills provide a seamless transition from collections to litigation. As a member of the Commercial Law League of America (CLLA) and active participation within the CLLA’s Eastern Regional Committee, Robert has developed and cultivated close associations with a network of collection attorneys throughout the country, ensuring AMS’ clients have the best representation to meet their legal needs.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Wanda Borges
Borges & Associates, LLC
Syosset, NY
Wanda Borges, Esq. is the principal member of Borges & Associates, LLC, a law firm based in Syosset, New York. For more than forty years, Ms. Borges has concentrated her practice on commercial litigation and creditors’ rights in bankruptcy matters, representing corporate clients and creditors’ committees throughout the United States in Chapter 11 proceedings, out of court settlements, commercial transactions, and preference litigation. She is a member and Past President of the Commercial Law League of America and has been an Attorney Member of its National Board of Governors, a Chair of the Bankruptcy Section and Creditors’ Rights Section. She is the President of the Commercial Law League Fund for Public Education. She is a member of several bar associations, including the American Bar Association, the American Bankruptcy Institute, and the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers. Ms. Borges serves on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Commercial Collectors, of which her firm is an associate member.
She is an internationally recognized lecturer and author on various legal topics including Bankruptcy Issues such as 503(b)(9) claims and preferences, the Uniform Commercial Code, ECOA, FCRA, antitrust law, and current legal issues such as Credit Card Surcharge issues, social media, Cybersecurity and Ethics for the Trade Credit Grantor and current proposed legislation that may impact trade credit grantors. Ms. Borges has authored, edited, and continues to contribute to numerous publications including Thomson West’s Enforcing Judgments and Collecting Debts in New York (as its Editor-in-Chief and Lead Author), NAB’s book Out of the Red and into the Black, the BCCA’s Credit & Collection Handbook, The Financial Manager, and the CLLA’s Commercial Law World Magazine. She has authored the treatise “Hidden Liens, Who is Entitled to What?” and NACM’s Antitrust, Restraint of Trade and Unfair Competition: Myth Versus Reality, most recently revised in 2017. She is a contributing author to NACM’s Manual of Credit and Collection Laws and Principles of Business Credit. She has co-authored The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 – An Overhaul of U.S. Bankruptcy Law, also published by the NACM and her article has “Uniform Voidable Transactions Act (US) has been published by the British Law Journal – Insolvency Intelligence.
In October 1996, Ms. Borges was awarded the Mercy College Trustee’s Medal for outstanding dedication to her profession and alma mater. In September 2000, she was named one of the “50 Outstanding Alumni” of Mercy College. In February 2001, she received the “Career Achievement Award” from the Broadcast Cable Credit Association. In November 2010, Ms. Borges received the “Robert E. Caine Award for Leadership” from the Commercial Law League of America. In April 2015, Ms. Borges received a “Woman of Distinction” award from St. Catharine Academy, her high school alma mater. Ms. Borges has been included in the New York Super Lawyers – Metro Edition list (Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights) each year since 2009. She is listed in Who’s Who in America.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Peter Califano
Cooper, White & Cooper, LLP
San Francisco, CA
Peter Califano has over 30 years of experience representing creditors and debtors in all aspects of insolvency-related matters, including bankruptcy and state law insolvency proceedings, litigation, and related business transactions. He has special expertise in representing parties in non-bankruptcy alternatives such as assignments for the benefit of creditors, receiverships, and dissolutions, along with equipment leasing and financing. Mr. Califano has successfully represented a wide range of individuals’ and institutional clients’ interests. He currently is the chair of Cooper’s Bankruptcy & Insolvency Group.
Mr. Califano is active in the bankruptcy bar leading several national and regional bankruptcy organizations and is a frequent speaker and writer on bankruptcy-related topics. In September 2011, he testified in Washington, D.C. before the Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law of the House Judiciary Committee on bankruptcy venue reform. He remains active on the issue and helped to draft the Bankruptcy Venue Reform Act of 2018 (S. 2282), introduced on January 8, 2018, by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). As President of the California Bankruptcy Forum, he helped to develop and create the Pro Bono Project in 2013, a statewide program to assist indigent debtors with access to the courts. Since 1997, Mr. Califano has been a member of the Panel of mediators for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California’s Dispute Resolution Program and since 2008 he has been a member of the Early Neutral Evaluators’ Panel for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Mr. Califano is AV Preeminent rated by Martindale Hubbell. He is currently the Past President for the Commercial Law League of America (CLLA) where he continues to support the partnership between the International Association of Commercial Collectors and the CLLA.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Hon. Donald Cassling
US Bankruptcy Court
Northern District of IL
Donald R. Cassling is a United States Bankruptcy Judge in the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division. He was appointed for a 14‐year term on January 18, 2012. Prior to his appointment, he was a commercial litigator at Quarles & Brady and Jenner & Block. He received his undergraduate degree from Duke University and his law degree from the University of Chicago, where he was also on the Editorial Board of the Law Review. Following graduation, he clerked for the Honorable John R. Brown, Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Robert P. Charbonneau
Agentis, PLLC
Coral Gables, FL
Robert Charbonneau is a founding member of the firm, Agentis, PLLC. He concentrates his practice in troubled loan workouts, business restructuring and dispute resolution and insolvency matters. Bob has particularly broad experience representing statutory committees, including creditors’ committees, and funds purchasing distressed debt.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Hon. Judith Fitzgerald (Ret.)
Tucker Arensberg, PC
Pittsburgh, PA
Hon. Judith Fitzgerald (Ret.) A long-time member of CLLA, Retired U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Judith K. Fitzgerald has been blessed with an exciting, challenging and intellectually stimulating career. As a Judicial Law Clerk, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Chief Bankruptcy Judge, Professor of Law, Practitioner at Tucker Arensberg, Arbitrator, Mediator, Author and Expert Witness, she has experienced a wide variety of legal disciplines and administrative responsibilities. Judi is a Professor in the Practice of Law at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where she teaches Bankruptcy and Advanced Bankruptcy. She is active in national and local professional organizations including the Commercial Law League of America, the American Law Institute, the American College of Bankruptcy. The American Bankruptcy institute and the American Inns of Court. Among other offices, she has served as President of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges and as Chair of the Bankruptcy Judges Advisory Committee to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Judi has received numerous awards and recognitions including the Commercial Law League’s Lawrence P. King Award for Excellence in Bankruptcy and the American Inns of Court Bankruptcy Alliance Distinguished Service Award. Judi consults and lectures in matters involving trial strategy, evidence, procedure, contracts, bankruptcy, and professional responsibility, and participates on several committees and boards dedicated to fostering legal education and improving access to justice.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Lori Frank
Markoff Law PLLC
Southfield, MI
Lori J. Frank received her undergraduate degree from Boston University and law degree from Detroit College of Law now known as Michigan State University College of Law. Lori is the President of the Michigan Creditors Bar Association. She is a past board member for the Commercial Law League of America, and has lobbied in Congress and Lansing. Lori is an active member of the State Bar and Oakland County Bar Associations and is the proud dog mom of Big Popi & Little Khalessi.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
FRIDAY, MAY 20
James Hurley
Fowler White Burnett
Miami, FL
James N. Hurley is a Shareholder and Chair for the firm’s Admiralty and Maritime Law Practice Group. With over 30 years of experience handling complex matters in the maritime industry, Jim provides full-cycle legal representation to his clients, from helping them achieve their initial goals to ensuring their continued success should disputes arise. Jim represents domestic and international insurers, cargo carriers, major cruise lines, operators and charter companies, and marina and terminal owners and operators in negotiating and drafting various marine-related contracts essential to their business, including the purchase, construction and sale of vessels, financing and vessel registration, concessionaire contracts, contracts for charters, and storage contracts. Additionally, Jim regularly assists private clients with purchasing, financing, and registering multi-million dollar vessels for personal use. Jim has significant experience trying maritime and admiralty cases in state and federal courts, and frequently represents clients in disputes including passenger and crew personal injury claims, first party coverage disputes, property damage claims, and commercial disputes. Jim also advises clients on regulatory compliances issues and defends civil, criminal, and administrative enforcement actions. Board Certified in Admiralty & Maritime Law by The Florida Bar, Jim served on the Certification Committee of the Admiralty and Maritime Section of The Florida Bar, and assisted in drafting the certification exam. He is also past Chair of the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute, where he currently serves on its Advisory Committee.
Jim is consistently recognized by esteemed legal publications Florida Super Lawyers, Florida Trend Legal Elite, and The Best Lawyers in America®, which recognized Jim as the “Best Lawyers® Miami Transportation Law Lawyer of the Year” for the 2022 edition as well as the “Best Lawyers®Miami Admiralty and Maritime Lawyer of the Year” in 2011, 2015 and 2017. Widely recognized for his professional expertise, Jim is a frequent author on various topics in domestic and international maritime law, and is called upon to share his experience at maritime seminars throughout the country.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Conor Kelly
Webster, Chamberlain & Bean
Washington, DC
Conor Kelly is an associate attorney at Webster, Chamberlain & Bean LLP in Washington, D.C. specializing in government relations. Before joining the firm, Conor worked as a counsel for Senator Amy Klobuchar on the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, where he focused on issues including voting rights, election administration, and investigations into events surrounding January 6. He graduated from George Washington University Law School, where he served as a member of the Federal Communications Law Journal and worked in law clerk positions on Capitol Hill and with a voting rights nonprofit. He holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia, where he majored in history and government and wrote a thesis on the Iraq anti-war movement in the United States that won the history department’s award for best undergraduate thesis in modern American history.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Patrick J. Kilburn
Lloyd & McDaniel, PLC
Louisville, KY
Patrick Kilburn’s practice centers around the representation of banks, large and small corporations, and general creditors in the collection of past due accounts both in and outside of litigation throughout Lloyd & McDaniel’s growing Southeast U.S. footprint. After working for a local regional bank, Mr. Kilburn brings clients real-world experience to protect their interests. Mr. Kilburn attended the University of Kentucky, B.B.A. Finance, 2004, and University of Louisville, Brandeis School of Law, J.D., 2007. He is admitted to practice in the State of Indiana, Commonwealth of Kentucky, State of Florida, United States District Court, Western District of Kentucky, United States Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Kentucky, United States District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky, United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Kentucky, United States District Court, Southern District of Indiana, United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Indiana.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
FRIDAY, MAY 20
Candice L. Kline
Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr, LLP
Chicago, IL
Candice Kline is a partner at Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr and focuses on bankruptcy and restructuring situations and litigation. She serves in leadership at various bar and trade associations and is a member of the CLLA’s Bankruptcy Section Executive Council. Candice has an MBA and JD and began her legal career after many years in global commercial banking and business, including startups. She practices in Illinois and Ohio with a nationwide docket in complex commercial matters.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Beverly Weiss Manne
Tucker Arensberg, PC
Pittsburgh, PA
Beverly Weiss Manne, Esq. is a shareholder in the Insolvency and Creditors’ Rights Department of the law firm of Tucker Arensberg, P.C. in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and had been the chair of that department for over twenty years until 2020. Beverly is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Her practice includes creditors’ rights, commercial loan originations, restructuring and liquidations, receiverships, complex bankruptcies and reorganizations, and commercial lending/leasing workouts. Beverly has been an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law teaching Commercial Paper and Banking (Payment Systems) since 2003 and has taught Secured Transactions. From 1981 to 1986, Ms. Manne was an attorney for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of General Counsel, Regions I, II and III. She earned her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law as well as her B.A., magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa.
Ms. Manne was a founding member and served a two-year term as the initial president of the Judith K. Fitzgerald Western Pennsylvania Bankruptcy American Inn of Court, was on the Inn’s executive committee and is currently a Barrister in that Inn. Ms. Manne is also a member of the Commercial Law League of America and serves on the Bankruptcy Section Executive Committee and NCBJ Planning Committee. Ms. Manne is also a member of the ABA, PBA and Allegheny County Bar Association, International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation, Commercial Law League Bankruptcy and Executive Committee, American Bankruptcy Institute, and a past Chair of the ACBA Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Section. She is Vice Chair and Education Liaison of the PBA Business Law Section Council and chair of the Insolvency Law Modernization Task Force, and on the committees for the Western District Bankruptcy Court Chapter 11 Subchapter V Small Business procedures as well as the Complex Chapter 11 Procedures committee. Ms. Manne is a member, and was president, of the PBA Shale Energy Committee and a member, an ex-officio officer and board member of the Turnaround Management Association and TMA International. Ms. Manne was a member of the PBA Avoidable Transfer Act Adoption Task Force, the PBA Insolvency Law Task Force (1994-1996), and the UCC Article 9 Revisions Task Forces which were responsible for the adoption of Revised Article 9 in Pennsylvania in 2001 and the revisions in 2011.
Ms. Manne is a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer in Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights Category for 2006 through the present and was selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2007 through the present in the Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law category.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Joseph Marino, Esq.
Marino, Mayers & Jarrach, LLC
Clifton, NJ
Joseph A. Marino, Esq. became a Board Certified Creditors Rights Specialist in 1994, and received his Juris Doctor, from the New England School of Law, MA in1976, and a Bachelor of Science in Commerce at the
St. Louis University, MO in1971. He was admitted New Jersey State Bar in 1976, the Florida State Bar in1976, and the Washington D.C. Bar in1977.
Joseph has been a member of the Commercial Law League of America and the American Bar Association since1978. His is affiliated with the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the Unico Foundation, the Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs, and the International Honor Society of the Sovereign Military Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta.
Joseph A. Marino, Esq. is a Board Certified Creditors’ Rights Specialist and contributing author to various legal publications with over 33 years of experience, and spearheads the firm’s practice.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Donald A. Mauser
Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., LPA
Cleveland, OH
Don Mausar practices in commercial and consumer collections, Don brings more than 25 years of experience to the firm. He aims to bring a “concierge level service” to his clients, who are typically the decision makers from large financial institutions to small family businesses. Focusing primarily on complex claims, his matters typically include high balance contested matters that involve a blend of legal action and collection work. Don is an active member of the legal community and the creditors’ rights industry. He is also a frequent presenter on a variety of topics, including the collections of transportation claims, B2B receivables, and collection best practices. Don is the managing attorney for the firm’s downtown Cleveland, Ohio office, where he is responsible for spearheading office-specific initiatives that help shape the culture of the firm. In his free time, Don enjoys live theater, sporting events, hiking, golfing, playing cards, and long car rides. He is an auto enthusiast and loves anything with an engine.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Jeffrey S. Nicolet
Wagner, Falconer & Judd, Ltd.
Minneapolis, MN
Jeffrey S. Nicolet is a graduate of Luther College (B.A. 1991); Graduate of William Mitchell College of Law (J.D. 1994); Licensed to practice in MN (1994) and WI (2002); Member of Hennepin County Bar Association, Minnesota Bar Association, and Wisconsin Bar Association; Shareholder of Wagner, Falconer & Judd, Ltd. – joined firm in 1998; Leads WFJ’s Commercial Collection and Litigation Practice. Born and raised in the Midwest living in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, but has called MN home for over 30 years. Jeff enjoys spending time with friends and family.
FRIDAY, MAY 20
Joel Oster
Comedian of Law
Joel Oster is a litigator, podcaster and speaker to attorneys and non-attorneys alike. He currently is in private practice in Kansas City, specializing in constitutional litigation, ethics, campaign finance, and appellate advocacy. He previously served as senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom at its Kansas City Regional Service Center. While at ADF, he was counsel for the Town of Greece, New York in the landmark case Galloway v. Greece. Joel argued the case before the United States District Court for the Western District of New York and the Second Circuit and was part of the legal team presenting the case to the U.S. Supreme Court where they successfully defended the Town against a challenge to its practice of opening its sessions with an invocation.
Joel has also spoken to thousands of attorneys across the United States and has learned from their successful and unsuccessful legal practices. Joel brings this practical perspective to all his seminars.
Oster earned his J.D. in 1997 from the University of Kansas School of Law. Oster is admitted to the bar in Kansas, Missouri, Florida, and numerous federal courts.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18
Richard J. Payne
Morrison & Barristers & Solicitors
Toronto, ON, Canada
Richard Payne attended Dalhoise Law School and obtained his Bachelor of Laws. Mr. Payne was the Valedictorian of his class. He has been called to the Bar of the Province of Nova Scotia and in the Province of Ontario and has maintained a civil litigation practice at the offices of Morrison and Payne, Barristers and Solicitors in Toronto. Mr. Payne is a member of the Commercial Law League of America, the Canadian Bar Association, the Ontario Bar Association, the Law Society of Ontario, the Nova Scotia Barrister Society. His practice consists of a large volume of civil litigation including commercial debt collection claims and construction liens. Mr. Payne is a member of the Board of Governors of the Commercial Law League of America and the former chair of the CLLA Creditors’ Rights Section.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Making Your Unsecured Creditor Client Feel More Secure
Ronald R. Peterson
Partner, Jenner & Block LLP
Chicago, IL
Ronald R. Peterson, Partner, Jenner & Block LLP in Chicago, Illinois. He concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial, insolvency and bankruptcy law. Mr. Peterson has presided over numerous complex commercial cases, including Stotler & Co., the country’s 10th largest commodities house, and Lancelot Investors Fund, L.P., a $1.7 billion Ponzi scheme. He is the Chairman of the Creditors’ Committee in Thomas J. Petters, a $3.5 billion Ponzi scheme. Mr. Peterson served as the examiner in the Chapter 11 case of Robert Lund, a large real estate developer.
Mr. Peterson has been a member of the panel of Chapter 7 Trustees for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, since 1987. He is the past President of the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees.
Mr. Peterson is a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy and a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute. He is a member of the Business Bankruptcy Committee of the Business Law Section and the Bankruptcy Litigation Committee of the Litigation Section of the American Bar Association. He is a member of the International Association of Restructuring, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Professionals, and the Commercial Law League of America. In 2014, the Commercial Law League of America awarded Mr. Peterson the Lawrence P. King Award.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Hot Topics in Bankruptcy Case Law
John O. Postl
John Postl, PC
Boston, MA
John O. Postl has practiced law for over twenty-seven years’ concentrating in the area of general civil litigation with an emphasis on creditors’ rights. Mr. Postl is a 1987 graduate of the University of Vermont and a 1994 cum laude graduate of Suffolk University Law School in Boston. Mr. Postl serves on the executive committee of the CLLA Creditors’ Rights Section and is a member of the Membership Committee. Mr. Postl also serves on the Executive Committee of the Boston chapter of the American Inns of Court and as a volunteer hearing officer for the Board of Bar Overseers. Mr. Postl has been an active member of Civil Air Patrol- the United States Air Force Auxiliary since 1981. As a CAP lieutenant colonel, Mr. Postl has served in positions including mission pilot and assistant National Legal Officer.
FRIDAY, MAY 20
The Benefits and Pitfalls of E-Filing
John S. Pucin
Caine & Weiner Co., Inc.
Schaumburg, IL
John Pucin is a creditor’s rights attorney with over 25 years of industry experience. He has been a member of the Commercial Law League for over twenty (20) years and is a past chair of the Midwest Region. He was instrumental in the recent rewrite and update the CLLA Operative Guides He has had the unique opportunity to work in both the law firm and agency environment. He currently manages multiple priorities in his position as Senior Vice President, Corporate Counsel for Caine & Weiner Company, Inc. This includes compliance, negotiation, management of personnel, litigation, team leadership, and marketing. He understands how to execute strategic objectives and has a strong passion for consistent deliverance of client satisfaction. A unique combination of courtroom competency and ability to manage and help grow an organization provides John the necessary experience to coordinate, assess, and lead Legal Department and affiliated law firm. John is admitted to the State Bars in Illinois and Ohio along with the United States District Courts of Northern Illinois, Northern Ohio, and Southern Ohio. He graduated in 1988 from Xavier University, Cincinnati OH with a B.S.B.A./Finance and in 1992 with a Juris Doctor degree from the Capital University Law School, Columbus Ohio.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Where are Collections Today: Best Practices and Recent Trends
Nancy Rapoport
UNLV
Las Vegas, NV
Nancy B. Rapoport is the Garman Turner Gordon Professor of Law at the William S. Boyd School of Law, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and an Affiliate Professor of Business Law and Ethics in the Lee Business School at UNLV. After receiving her B.A., summa cum laude, from Rice University in 1982 and her J.D. from Stanford Law School in 1985, she clerked for the Honorable Joseph T. Sneed III on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and then practiced law (primarily bankruptcy law) with Morrison & Foerster in San Francisco from 1986-1991. Her specialties are bankruptcy ethics, ethics in governance, law firm behavior, and the depiction of lawyers in popular culture. In 2001, she was elected to membership in the American Law Institute, and in 2002, she received a Distinguished Alumna Award from Rice University. She is also a Fellow of the American Bar
Foundation and a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy. In 2009, the Association of Media and Entertainment Counsel presented her with the Public Service Counsel Award at the 4th Annual Counsel of the Year Awards. In 2017, she received the Commercial Law League of America’s Lawrence P. King Award for Excellence in Bankruptcy, and in 2018, she was one of the recipients of the NAACP Legacy Builder Awards (Las Vegas Branch #1111). She is the Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Mob Museum and a Trustee of Claremont Graduate University.
FRIDAY, MAY 20
Jack Rose
Kroll
New York, NY
Jack Rose is a Managing Director in the Restructuring Advisory practice at Kroll LLC in New York. Jack focuses his practice on Distressed MM&A and Special Situations. Jack has more than 30 years of experience in the restructuring industry.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
The Bankruptcy Unwave–The Ongoing Impact of COVID-19 on All Things Legal
Deborah Rubin
Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, PC
Southfield, MI
Deborah Rubin is an attorney in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Insolvency & Reorganization practice groups at Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, PC. She concentrates her practice in all areas of bankruptcy law, including representation of creditors’ committees and corporate debtors in bankruptcy proceedings and commercial litigation. She also has significant experience representing plaintiffs and defendants in avoidance litigation, fraud, discharge proceedings, relief from the automatic stay, preferences, collection proceedings, and other insolvency actions. Deborah represents businesses with workouts and assignments for the benefit of creditors and provides strategic counsel and creative solutions in all types of bankruptcy and insolvency matters. Deborah has experience with all phases of litigation from inception through resolution, handling matters in state and federal court at the trial and appellate levels.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Zach Shelomith
Leiderman Shelomith + Somodevilla, PLLC
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Zach Shelomith is a founding member of Leiderman Shelomith + Somodevilla, PLLC, in Fort Lauderdale. He handles corporate and personal bankruptcy and insolvency law. Zach is Board Certified in Business Bankruptcy Law and Consumer Bankruptcy Law by the American Board of Certification.
Zach is a past president of the Bankruptcy Bar Association for the Southern District of Florida, is the Chair-Elect of the Bankruptcy Law Section of the Commercial Law League of America and is also the Co-Chairperson of the Broward County Bar Association Bankruptcy Law Section. Zach co-authored the book Individual Chapter 11, published by the American Bankruptcy Institute and has contributed to other articles of interest in the bankruptcy community
Zach obtained a B.B.A. from the University of Miami and a J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law.
Zach resides in Cooper City, Florida with his wife and two children.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Gilbert M. Singer
Marcadis Singer, PA
Tampa, FL
Gilbert M. Singer is a Florida Debt Collection Attorney, and Partner in Marcadis Singer, P.A.
Gilbert Singer was born in New York in 1955, graduated from Emory University in 1976, and earned his Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Miami School of Law in 1979. Gil is a member of The Florida Bar, Hillsborough County Bar Association, and the Commercial Law League of America in which he served as Southern Region Chair in 2018—2019. He has an AV Rating with Martindale—Hubbell. For over 41 years, Gil has been a member of the Kiwanis Club of Tampa where he served as President during 1996-1997 and was the recipient of the Doyle Carlton Memorial Award in 2002 honoring the Kiwanian of the Year.
Mr. Singer is a founding member and former President of the Grand Krewe de Libertalia, the first multi-cultural Krewe in Tampa history, and was a longtime volunteer attorney for the Guardian Ad Litem program in Hillsborough County. He currently volunteers with Bay Area Legal Services and Crossroads for Florida Kids representing older children in foster care. He has also been active as a Board Member for Joshua House, A Kid’s Place, For the Family, and LifeLink. He served on the Citizens Advisory Commission to the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, and in 1996 he was honored by The Florida Bar and the Florida Supreme Court for his pro bono service.
Gil serves on the Hillsborough County Republican Executive Committee and was their attorney for over 20 years. He led the Hillsborough County legal response team for the re-election of Governor Jeb Bush in 2002. He was a member of President George W. Bush’s Legal Team, and actively participated in the 2000 Florida recount. He also participated as a member of John McCain’s and Mitt Romney’s legal teams.
In 2002, Jeb Bush appointed Mr. Singer to the Florida Commission on Human Relations where he served a four-year term as Commissioner. In 2007, Governor Charlie Christ re—appointed him to this same post where he was elected Chairman. He served as Chairman of the Commission for four years and served on the Commission for over 18 years. Gil has been and continues to be active as a volunteer in local, statewide, and national political campaigns.
In 2011, Mr. Singer was appointed by Florida Governor Rick Scott to the Judicial Nominating Commission for the 13th Judicial Circuit. In 2018, he was elected as its Chair and served an eight-year term which ended in 2020. Florida’s Judicial Nominating Commissions are constitutionally created non—partisan bodies designed to interview and nominate diverse, highly qualified candidates for judgeships to the Governor for appointment when a judicial vacancy arises.
Gil has published several articles on creditors ’ rights law in various publications. He has been nominated for “Lawyers of Distinction” and as 2021 “Elite Lawyer” and “Premier Lawyers of America”. He is a member of Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club and The Royal Krewe of Privateers.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Michael J. Sonnhalter
General Bar
Cleveland, OH
Michael J. Sonnhalter is Vice President of General Bar, Inc. In 1983, Mike and his family acquired General Bar and continue to develop it into the successful and widely-acclaimed creditors’ rights attorney network it is today. The Sonnhalter family, along with their dedicated staff, is providing the industry with a succession plan to take care of its needs now and for many years to come. They continually challenge themselves to provide the best product on the market, noting that their loyal customers inspire them to strive for excellence. During Mike’s 30-plus years at General Bar, he honorably serves on the Commercial Law League of America (CLLA) Board of Governors, Midwest Region Executive Council, Membership Committee and Young Members’ Section.
FRIDAY, MAY 20
Eric Van Horn
Spencer Fane
Dallas, TX
Eric Van Horn is a partner in the Dallas office of Spencer Fane LLP, a national business law firm with offices throughout the country. Eric assists clients nationwide with all aspects of bankruptcy, reorganizations, negotiations, collection actions, multijurisdictional insolvencies, and corporate liquidations. His work in complex Chapter11 and Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases has involved representing committees of unsecured creditors and investors, debtors, trustees, secured lenders, landlords, and general unsecured creditors (including critical vendors and suppliers). He also defends clients against bankruptcy preference and fraudulent transfer (claw back) lawsuits and assists clients in bidding on and acquiring assets out of bankruptcy cases. His specific industry experience includes clients in oil and gas, manufacturing, health care, restaurant, manufacturing, retail, and technology industries.
Eric served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Leif M. Clark, retired bankruptcy judge in the Western District of Texas, San Antonio. He graduated from The University of Texas School of Law and served as a Research Assistant for Professor Jay L. Westbrook.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Lorna Walker
The Law Offices of Sweet & Walker, PC
San Francisco, CA
Lorna Walker is a principal in the Law Offices of Sweet & Walker, P.C. and is the managing attorney. She has practiced law in the San Francisco Bay Area for almost 30 years, focusing on commercial litigation and collection matters. In addition to her state court litigation practice, Ms. Walker represents clients in the United States District and Bankruptcy Courts for the Northern, Central, and Eastern Districts of California. She also has handled international arbitration cases and appellate matters in both State and Federal Courts.
Ms. Walker is actively involved in several legal organizations and is a past president of the Board of Governors for the Commercial Law League of America (“CLLA”), chairs the CLLA National Education Committee, and sits on the education committee for the International Association of Commercial Collectors. She is a frequent speaker on creditor’s rights topics and has presented programs for various trade groups, including programs directed to the oil and gas industry, the agricultural industry, the wine industry, the food and beverage industry, the marijuana industry, and various finance, credit management, and legal associations.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Timothy Wan
Smith Carroad Levy Wan & Parikh
Commack, NY
Timothy Wan, Esq. is Senior Partner and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Smith Carroad Levy Wan & Parikh. Mr. Wan’s areas of expertise include managing the creditor’s rights and collection law practice, serving as General Counsel to various small businesses in the local business community, and spearheading practice in the area of entertainment law, music law, copyright, and intellectual property.
Mr. Wan was admitted to the New York State Bar in January 2001, after graduating from Brooklyn Law School for his Juris Doctor where he was a member of the Moot Court Honor Society, and from Vassar College with a double B.A. in Political Science and Theatre in 1997. This background has fostered Mr. Wan’s trial and courtroom skills; throughout his career, he has successfully tried several hundred litigation matters, as well as successfully brought and defended appeals on healthcare-related matters to the appellate courts in the State of New York. Mr. Wan is admitted to the United States District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts, and is a member of the New York State and Suffolk County Bar Associations.
Mr. Wan is a Past Chair of the Eastern Region of the Commercial Law League of America, a Past Chair of the CLLA Young Member’s Section, past member of the Board of Governors, and served as the first ever two-consecutive-term President from 2019-2021. He also serves as the President of the New York State Creditors Bar Association. Mr. Wan is a two-time Past President of the Infinite Exchange Chapter of BNI, and a member of the International Association of Commercial Collectors. Mr. Wan is a published author of the New York chapter of the textbook, Judgement Enforcement published by Aspen Publishing, and is a featured columnist and on the Board of Associate Editors for Commercial Law World. He is also the attorney advisor to the Commack High School Mock Trial team, and regularly lectures on topics regarding creditor’s rights, collection law, business change management, improving business efficiency, and legal strategy.
FRIDAY, MAY 20
Jay L. Welford
Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, PC
Southfield, MI
Jay Welford is an attorney in our Insolvency & Reorganization, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice groups at Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, PC. He specializes in the areas of bankruptcy and corporate restructuring, lending, and leasing law, and general corporate representation.
In the bankruptcy and corporate restructuring areas, Jay represents debtors, creditors’ committees, lenders, and leasing companies. He acts as origination and recovery counsel for various lending institutions and leasing companies. Based on his corporate restructuring experience, Jay also acts as outside general counsel to a variety of companies in diverse industries, including construction, manufacturing, trucking, business services, and equipment leasing. Through his years of engagements, Jay also has specific expertise in franchising law, including the development of franchise systems. Jay has assisted a variety of clients in the formation of joint ventures, including joint ventures seeking minority certification.
Jay is a frequent author and lecturer for such organizations as the Commercial Law League of America, the American Bankruptcy Institute, Law Education Institute, the Equipment Leasing, and Finance Association, and the National Business Institute.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Nicholas J. Zeher
Robert Allen Law
Palm Beach, FL
Nick Zeher is a lawyer who handles all types of yacht matters for Robert Allen Law. Growing up in South Florida, Nick spent his spare time on the water working on charter boats. At the age of 18, Nick began what would be more than a decade of serving as a full-time, professional yacht captain. After his time as a yacht captain, Nick obtained his Juris Doctorate at St. Thomas University School of Law. Prior to his time at Robert Allen Law, Nick served as a Public Defender in Palm Beach County, where he handled over 1000 separate cases and tried over 25 jury trials to verdict.
At Robert Allen Law, Nick’s broad experience makes him a natural fit for both the Litigation and Transaction teams of Yacht Lawyers.
THURSDAY, MAY 19