Schedule and Faculty

Day 1 – October 15


8:30 – 8:55 a.m.

CHECK-IN & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

8:55 – 9:00 a.m.

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION

– George E. Warner, Jr., Course Chair

9:00 – 9:50 a.m.

Minnesota Collections: Current Developments and Emerging Trends

Stay abreast of recent developments and hear from one of the founding attorneys of the new Minnesota Creditors’ Rights Association about significant substantive and procedural matters evolving in the collections environment.

– Derrick N. Weber

9:50 – 10:30 a.m.

FDCPA "Battle Royale" – Are the Consumers or the Debt Collectors Really Right?

Two preeminent, experienced practitioners on opposite sides of the issues present an intermediate-level session covering common FDCPA violations, their prevention and defense, and best practices for consumer/retail collection matters.

– Peter F. Barry & John K. Rossman

10:30 – 10:45 a.m.

BREAK

10:45 – 11:30 a.m.

Sailing the Seas of Bankruptcy: A Creditor’s Perspective

A look at rights, remedies and obligations flowing out of the Bankruptcy Code, the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, and state statutes. Prohibited Creditor actions under the Code’s Automatic Stay; filling out proofs of claim and obtaining adequate protection; Creditor’s rights and relief from the stay; adversary proceedings and objections to Debtor discharges, and protecting Creditor’s claim during plan confirmation and distribution of the estate.

– Benjamin J. Court

11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

The Intersection of Collections and Family Law

Seasoned family law and collections counsel discuss the unique issues facing family law attorneys and commonly-occurring situations melding family law and collection matters.

– R. Leigh Frost & George E. Warner, Jr.

12:15 – 1:00 p.m.

LUNCH (provided by Minnesota CLE)

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Point-Counterpoint: How Plaintiffs and Defendants Diverge on the FDCPA

Expanding on their morning session and working with several real-life scenarios, John and Pete will discuss how each views a particular set of facts relevant to how things are drafted and pled (e.g., complaints, motions for protective orders, motions to dismiss, etc.)

– Peter F. Barry & John K. Rossman

2:00 – 2:10 p.m.

BREAK

2:10 – 3:10 p.m.

Compliance with the FDCPA and Consequences of Non-Compliance

What does the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act require of debt collectors; FDCPA application to attorneys collecting certain debts; using voicemail to collect consumer debts – FDCPA overlay; consequences of non-compliance; and defenses to FDCPA claims. Analysis will include Zortman v. JC Chirstensen & Associates (Minn. District Court 2012).

– Michael A. Klutho

3:10 – 3:20 p.m.

BREAK

3:20 – 4:20 p.m.

The Top Ten Considerations for the New Receivership and Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors Statutes – New Law

The purpose of the new Statutes; identify key distinctions between the new Receivership Statute and the old one; identify distinct requirements for Receiverships containing real property; explain how Receivers handle executory contracts and the distribution of Receivership assets, and introduce or re-introduce the Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors Statute. Analysis will include Minn. Stat. §576 & 577.

– James A. Bartholomew & Samuel J.H. Sigelman

 

Day 2 – October 16

 

8:30 – 9:00 a.m.

CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

9:00 – 9:50 a.m.

Conciliation Court Developments and Practice

Senator Ortman, Conciliation Court Judge Bauch, and Mercedes Gustafson present a discussion of the recent changes to conciliation court jurisdiction and its expected impact from the perspective of the legislature, the bench, and creditor’s counsel.

– Conciliation Court Judge Walter G. Bauch, Senator Julianne Ortman & Mercedes A. Gustafson

9:50 – 10:30 a.m.

Conciliation Court from A to Z

Building on the prior session, hear from the Court and counsel how best to present and defend claims, represent clients, and use the conciliation court process to resolve disputes as efficiently and effectively as possible.

– Conciliation Court Judge Walter G. Bauch & Mercedes A. Gustafson

10:30 – 10:45 a.m.

BREAK

10:45 – 11:30 a.m.

Practical Debtor Representation: Common Questions and Current Issues

Attorneys whose clients are facing collection matters present counsel with a unique set of challenges. Hear from Minnesota’s own Randall Ryder about consumer rights and consumer privacy issues, and get the defense perspective of the world of debt buyers, debt collectors, and debt collection law firms.

– Randall P. Ryder

11:30 – 11:45 a.m.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

LUNCH (provided by Minnesota CLE)

12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

Issues Involving Health Care Related Debt

What differentiates health care debt from other debt; insurance issues involved, how to represent the health care professional/entity; and mechanics of a health care claim. Analysis will also include Attorney General involvement and regulation of non-profit hospitals.

– D. Scott Erickson

1:30 – 1:40 p.m.

BREAK

1:40 – 2:40 p.m.

Exemption Practice in Minnesota

Both collection and debtor’s counsel alike need to be familiar with and able to navigate the web of state and federal exemptions available to Minnesota residents. Get a detailed explanation of the available exemption schemes from an experienced bankruptcy practitioner.

– L. Kathleen Harrell-Latham

2:40 – 2:50 p.m.

BREAK

2:50 – 3:50 p.m.

Real Estate Execution

Real property often represents the best-available means to collect on an outstanding court ordered judgment. Learn the basics of attachment, perfection, and enforcement of judicial liens and how to execute on non-exempt real property from seasoned counsel.

– Heidi L. Staloch