13th Annual Western Massachusetts Bankruptcy Symposium

The annual Western Massachusetts Bankruptcy Symposium highlights important updates and issues relevant to both new and experienced bankruptcy practitioners. This year’s program will focus on asset tracing and evidentiary issues arising in adversary proceedings and contested matters. The program will also feature a presentation on recent developments in bankruptcy law and practice, including recent decisions out of the U.S. Supreme Court and proposed changes to the bankruptcy rules and forms. As always, several  judges of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts will be in attendance to offer their insights, and Chief Judge Frank J. Bailey will give a “State of the District” address updating attendees on trends and developments. Specific topics include:

• Recent Supreme Court decisions affecting bankruptcy practice in Massachusetts, including In re Bellingham Insurance Agency, Inc., Clark v. Rameker and Law v. Siegel
• Recent case law from the U.S. Court of Appeals and Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the First Circuit and the  Bankruptcy and District courts
• Pending and recent updates to the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure
• Recent and anticipated developments regarding the dischargeability of income tax debts
• Refresher course on the Federal Rules of Evidence as applied to bankruptcy adversary proceedings and contested matters
• Practical strategies and tips for presenting evidence in the Bankruptcy Court
• How to best advise your client and plan for filing when exempt and non-exempt assets have been comingled
• A Chapter 7 trustee’s view on tracing estate assets
• Tracing proceeds from exempt assets and the availability of exemptions to protect proceeds of exempt assets
• Issues involving bank accounts held jointly with non-debtors
• “State of the District” from Chief Judge Bailey

 Members of the Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire County bar associations; the IWIRC; and the NACBA enjoy a special discounted rate of $80. Contact the Massachusetts Bar Association Member Service Center at (617) 338-0500.