NACBA’s 33rd Annual Convention is rolling out the red carpet—join us in Hollywood for an event you won’t want to miss!
 
Dates: April 24-27, 2025
Location: Loews Hotel Hollywood, Hollywood, CA 
 

The Loews Hollywood Hotel: NACBA has secured a special low rate of only $259 a night. The inventory is limited. Room rate will expire on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, or until sold out.

 

Whether you want to deepen your expertise, grow your practice or engage with industry professionals, NACBA’s Convention is the ultimate opportunity to elevate your skills and expand your network—all in a spectacular setting.
 

The Early Bird Rate is only available until February 28, 2025. Secure your spot now to maximize your savings and get access to this exceptional program!

Topic: Cannabis & Bankruptcy: Navigating the Legal Gray Areas

Thursday April 24, 2025
7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (PDT)
 
Join us for a comprehensive, all-day continuing education program designed for bankruptcy attorneys eager to deepen their understanding of the intersection between bankruptcy and tax law. In this intensive session, you’ll gain crucial insights into the nuances of discharging tax liabilities in bankruptcy—a complex process that, when mishandled, can expose your practice to significant malpractice risks. Learn how to navigate these challenges with confidence and precision, while also mastering strategies to give your clients viable pathways for tax debt resolution. This intensive pre-conference session will help you master how to handle tax liens and the risk they pose in Chapter 7 because the homestead exemption does not apply to the IRS. It will cover the various approaches to proposing Chapter 13 plans, when to propose interest, when to file claims for taxing authorities, whether you can seek damages for a stay or discharge violation by a taxing authority, and how to get liens released after bankruptcy.

With expert-led sessions, this program not only equips you with the tools to prevent costly missteps but also empowers you to build a recession-proof law practice. Discover ways to leverage tax knowledge in bankruptcy cases to expand your service offerings, stay resilient in economic downturns and create long-term value for your clients. Perfect for attorneys looking for a more in-depth understanding of how to deal with tax issues in their practice and stay competitive, this event is a must-attend for anyone serious about elevating their expertise in bankruptcy and tax law.

NACBA takes great pride in acknowledging the outstanding efforts of our members who go above and beyond in the field of consumer bankruptcy, a tradition that allows us to recognize and celebrate excellence within our community. This year we are excited to add a new award, The Dragon Slayer Award!
 
Awards Luncheon at the 33rd Annual Convention: All award recipients will be honored at NACBA's 33rd Annual Convention Awards Luncheon on Friday, April 25. We warmly welcome convention guests accompanying NACBA members to attend this memorable occasion. In true Hollywood fashion, we’ll roll out the red carpet for an unforgettable experience. Dress to impress—black tie optional!
 
Nomination Categories:
1. The Champion of Consumer Rights: In recognition of and appreciation for extraordinary service in protecting American Consumers and, in particular, the recipient’s critical role in preserving the rights of consumer debtors in need of bankruptcy relief.

2. The Distinguished Service Award: In recognition of and appreciation for extraordinary contributions to the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys and the recipient’s many years of invaluable service to our organization.

3. The Hammes-Shulman Award: In recognition of the leadership and commitment demonstrated by Norma Hammes and Ike Shulman, the Hammes-Shulman honor significant legislative and advocacy contributions made by a NACBA member.

4. The K. Colleen Nunnelly Award: In October 2011, NACBA lost a wonderful colleague and long-term NACBA Member, K. Colleen Nunnelly. Ever a strong supporter of NACBA’s mission, always a positive voice within NACBA and an outstanding State Chair, Colleen will be greatly missed. In recognition of her contributions to NACBA, we have created the K. Colleen Nunnelly Award to honor a NACBA member whose collegiality and support for NACBA’s mission embodies Colleen’s spirit, quiet leadership, enthusiasm and positive contributions to NACBA.

5. Outstanding Young Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney Award (NEW): In recognition of a new bankruptcy attorney, in practice less than five years, who has shown excellence in the practice of consumer bankruptcy, achieved a critical milestone or who was recognized for a special achievement, award, appellate success, etc.

6. Outstanding Achievement Award (NEW): In recognition of two accomplished bankruptcy attorneys acknowledging and celebrating the notable achievements of a distinctive event.

7. The Dragon Slayer Award (NEW): Awarded to a NACBA member who has successfully defended the rights of consumer bankruptcy debtors and/or attorneys against formidable opposition, and thereby demonstrated their leadership, courage, ability and devotion that are in the finest tradition of the legal profession.

The National Consumer Bankruptcy Rights Center (NCBRC) is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to protecting the integrity of the bankruptcy system and preserving the rights of consumer bankruptcy debtors. NCBRC provides assistance either by working directly with debtors’ attorneys or by filing amicus briefs in courts throughout the country. Consider supporting NCBRC today!

In coordination with Fastcase, NACBA has offered a free legal research member benefit since 2008, providing access to cases, statutes, and regulations. In 2023, Fastcase merged with vLex, a global leader in legal intelligence, raising questions about the future of this essential service. But rest assured: vLex Fastcase remains committed to democratizing the law and enhancing legal research tools. This member benefit will see substantial upgrades in late 2024, with enhanced features, while keeping the service completely free for NACBA members.
 
Bar members will enjoy free access to a comprehensive legal research platform that includes a vast library of primary legal sources: case law, statutes, regulations, and state-specific legal materials. You can expect seamless access to state court opinions, statutes, Attorney General opinions, and more. Whether you're searching by citation, keyword, or natural language, vLex Fastcase delivers quick and accurate results.
 
In addition to primary law, the service offers a wealth of secondary materials, including practice guides, legal forms, and treatises on topics ranging from employment law to intellectual property. These resources provide invaluable insights and practical advice, tailored to NACBA’s legal professionals.
 
A key feature of this enhanced service is the Cert citator, which flags negative treatment and other citations to cases. Cert goes beyond Fastcase’s previous citation service, Bad Law Bot, by offering editorial oversight, improving accuracy, and delivering more comprehensive legal research.
 
Also included are advanced capabilities from Vincent AI, the award-winning research assistant from vLex. NACBA members will benefit from automated headnotes, case summaries, and Vincent's ability to identify similar legal documents included in their benefit. Premium features, such as 50-state surveys and argument drafting, are available via subscription.
 
The intuitive interface of vLex Fastcase makes navigating legal research a breeze. With an easy-to-use search bar and smart filters, finding the right documents is quicker than ever. Members can also save frequently used documents for future reference and receive alerts on the latest legal updates affecting their practice areas.
 
Best of all, this cutting-edge service is offered completely free for NACBA members—a resource that costs over $1,000 annually for non-members. For small and solo practices, this provides an incredible opportunity to leverage the same technology used by larger firms, leveling the playing field. With vLex Fastcase and Vincent AI at your fingertips, your firm can increase efficiency and competitiveness, keeping costs down while enhancing the quality of service to clients.
 
Explore the improved vLex Fastcase benefit by visiting the NACBA website. Simply log in with your member credentials and discover the powerful tools available to you as of November 2024.