NACBA eNewsletter
March 4, 2025
LegalPro Systems, Inc.
NACBA Events
 
Dates: April 24-27, 2025
Location: Loews Hotel Hollywood, Hollywood, CA 
 
Get ready for an unforgettable event in Hollywood, CA, April 24-27, 2025. We’re bringing some powerhouse voices to the stage to inspire, educate and elevate your practice.
 
DID YOU KNOW? When you register for NACBA's 33rd Annual Convention, you’ll receive FREE access to all conference recordings and materials for three months on Playback Now!
 
That means you can:
1. Revisit expert-led sessions at your convenience
2. Catch up on anything you missed during the event
3. Keep valuable resources available anytime, anywhere
 
  
All March Long: The Ultimate NACBA Bundle – Join & Register for $1,149!
 
Join NACBA + Register for the Annual Convention for just $1,149!
This limited-time bundle gives you:

✅ Full NACBA membership benefits
✅ Access to the must-attend convention in Hollywood
✅ Exclusive member resources, networking and CLE opportunities
 
Don’t miss this all-in-one deal—it’s only available throughout March 31!
Naylor Association Solutions
AffiniPay
Featured Webinar
  
Date: Thursday, March 20, 2025
Time: 3-4:30 PM (ET)
 
Speakers:
Hon. Elizabeth L. Gunn, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, D.C.;
Ed Boltz, Law Offices of John Orcutt, NACBA Board; and
Jenny L. Doling, J. DOLING LAW, PC, NACBA Vice President
 
Member Price: $35
Non-Member Price: $85
 
Description: Navigating the complexities of consumer bankruptcy requires legal expertise and a strong ethical foundation. In this webinar, attorneys will explore how to effectively advocate for clients in the pre-bankruptcy planning phase while maintaining the highest standards of ethical practice.

Our expert speakers will delve into the key strategies for protecting clients' assets during this critical stage, offering practical insights into legally permissible asset protection techniques. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the ethical considerations involved, ensuring that they act in the best interests of their clients without crossing ethical lines or engaging in fraudulent conduct. 

We must help our clients to understand there is a trade off in bankruptcy whereby the client benefits greatly from eliminating debt in exchange for the liquidation of non-exempt assets. However, we also have a duty to assist our clients in maximizing the benefit and protections under the Bankruptcy Code. Could failure to advise a client of their options be malpractice? If counsel is inexperienced in exemption planning, must they refer the client to experienced counsel who will work to protect the client?
 
This session will cover:
1. Ethical guidelines for pre-bankruptcy planning
2. Balancing aggressive asset protection strategies with compliance
3. Recognizing and avoiding fraudulent transfers
4. Practical tips for maintaining transparent, honest client relationships and managing client expectations
5. How to navigate our advocacy duties and when to refer a client to more experienced counsel
 
Whether you are new to bankruptcy law or a seasoned professional, this webinar will help you refine your advocacy approach, ensuring that you protect your clients' financial future without compromising your professional integrity.
Professional Development
24
Apr 2025
 
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.
Professional Development
 
Dates: Oct. 13-15, 2025
The Adolphus
Dallas, Texas
 
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Latest Bankruptcy News
  
Get ready to walk the red carpet and celebrate the brightest stars in consumer bankruptcy law! This exclusive event is our opportunity to recognize the outstanding contributions of NACBA members and key allies who go above and beyond to advance consumer bankruptcy rights. Join us as we honor those shaping the future of our field, all while enjoying an elegant luncheon in the heart of Hollywood.
 
EVENT DETAILS
Location: Dolby Theater, Hollywood, CA
Date: Friday, April 25, 2025
Time: 12:30 PM
Attire: Black tie optional and encouraged
 
This is a must-attend event for all NACBA convention attendees, and we are delighted to extend the invitation to your guests as well. Don’t miss this unforgettable afternoon of celebration, camaraderie and inspiration. 
 
You must be registered to attend NACBA’s Annual Convention to join us for this exclusive event.
In a move that could have sweeping implications for Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases nationwide, Martha G. Bronitsky, the Chapter 13 Trustee, has filed a petition for certiorari with the Supreme Court in In re Saldana. The case centers on whether voluntary contributions to retirement accounts should be excluded from a debtor’s disposable income calculation. The Ninth Circuit’s decision in In re Saldana sided with the debtor, holding that voluntary retirement contributions are shielded from creditors, a ruling that some argue disrupts the balance between debtor protections and creditor rights under the Bankruptcy Code. Now, the Supreme Court is being asked to step in, potentially impacting thousands of Chapter 13 cases filed each year.
Member Benefit Highlight
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!
For over 30 years, NACBA has led advocacy, education and professional growth for consumer bankruptcy attorneys. Our Mentorship Program strengthens this community by fostering meaningful connections that build confidence and success.
 
Why Join?
Mentees:
✔ Learn from experienced attorneys
✔ Develop your practice and career
✔ Expand your professional network
✔ Gain confidence in bankruptcy law
 
Mentors:
✔ Give back to the profession
✔ Connect with future leaders
✔ Enhance your professional standing
✔ Make a lasting impact
 
Who Can Participate?
Mentees: New attorneys seeking guidance
Mentors: Experienced attorneys eager to share their expertise
 
How It Works:
1. Apply – Get matched based on experience and goals
2. Connect – Engage via calls, video or in-person meetings
3. Grow – NACBA provides resources for a productive mentorship
NACBA is committed to keeping you informed about advancements that could
transform your legal practice. Today, we're excited to share news about a significant
development from vLex Fastcase, the legal research platform that you currently enjoy as a free
member benefit.

Introducing Multimodal AI for Legal Proceedings
vLex Fastcase has just announced their Winter ‘25 release featuring groundbreaking multimodal
AI capabilities in Vincent AI. This new technology enables the analysis of audio and video files
from court proceedings, depositions and hearings – automatically generating transcripts and
providing sophisticated legal analysis of the content.

Key capabilities include:
● Instant transcription of court proceedings, hearings and legal meetings from MP3, MP4
or MKV formats
● Automated extraction of key legal arguments and cited precedents
● Strategic insights based on vLex Fastcase's database of over one billion legal
documents
● Significant time savings compared to manual transcription and review

How This Could Benefit Your Practice
Imagine uploading a recording of opposing counsel's arguments from a motion hearing and
receiving not just a transcript, but a comprehensive analysis identifying their key arguments,
cited precedents and strategic recommendations for your response – all in minutes rather than
hours.

For litigators, appellate attorneys and legal researchers who regularly work with recorded
proceedings, this technology could dramatically reduce time spent on tedious manual review
while enhancing the quality of your legal analysis.

Access to Advanced Tools
While your bar membership provides you with free access to vLex Fastcase's core legal
research platform, the new Vincent AI multimodal capabilities are available as a premium
upgrade.

To learn more about how these advanced AI capabilities could benefit your practice, vLex
Fastcase is offering personalized demonstrations of Vincent AI's new multimodal features. Book
a demo today to explore how this technology could transform your approach to legal
proceedings.
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