Bankruptcy Breakfast

On August 28, 2020, the Bankruptcy Section hosted a virtual lunch-and-learn program, “Small Business Reorganization Act … 6 Months Later.” The virtual event was attended by over 65 members where they received updates on the Small Business Reorganization Act and recent cases interpreting same. Panelists included the Honorable Paul W. Bonapfel (United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia), Leon S. Jones (Jones & Walden, LLC), Tamara Miles Ogier (Ogier, Rothschild & Rosenfeld, P.C.), and Kathleen G. Furr (Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, P.C.). Gai Lynn McCarthy (KPPB Law), a Member-at-Large on the Board of the Bankruptcy Section, moderated the event.

In an effort to assist fellow Atlantans that were already in need even before the pandemic began, the Bankruptcy Section is currently hosting a virtual gift card drive benefiting the Midtown Assistance Center. The drive will run from August 10, 2020 to September 30, 2020. You can participate by purchasing a Kroger or Walmart gift card in $25.00 increments (up to $100.00 per card) and mailing the same along with a personal note to the recipient to Midtown Assistance Center, 30 Porter Place, Atlanta GA 30308. You can also participate by donating online at http://www.midtownassistancectr. org/donate/ and noting on the memo line that you are with the Atlanta Bar Association and would like your donation to go to purchase of a gift card.

Virtual Lunch and Learns

The Bankruptcy Section is committed to continue to provide the high-quality content and opportunity for member interaction even during this time of physical distancing. As such, the Bankruptcy Section will host virtual lunch-and-learn programs on popular topics in the upcoming months. Registration is now open for these events and more information can be found below. We hope our members will find the content and the format beneficial to their practice.

• Next up, on September 24, 2020, the Bankruptcy Section will host a program, "Virtual on Virtual-- Best Bankruptcy Practices in a Virtual World." Panelists will tackle some of the practical and ethical issues surrounding virtual representation of clients and virtual appearances at hearings and 341 meetings. The panelists will include the Honorable Wendy L. Hagenau (United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia), R. Jeneane Treace (Office of the U.S. Trustee), Charles N. Kelley, Jr. (Kelley & Clements, LLP), and Kathleen Steil (Ogier, Rothschild & Rosenfeld, PC). The event will be moderated by Melissa Davey, Standing Chapter 13 Trustee and Immediate Past Chair of the Bankruptcy Section.

• On October 23, 2020, the Bankruptcy Section will host a program, "What's Your Preference? Hot Topics, the Latest Law, and the Negotiations Dance, on Preferential Transfers," during which panelists will cover recent updates on preferences and preferential transfers. The panelists will include the Honorable James R. Sacca (United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia), Ashley Champion (United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia), and Michael J. Bargar (Arnall Golden Gregory LLP). The moderator will be Bryan Bates (Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs, LLP), a Member-at-Large on the Bankruptcy Section Board of Directors.

Board of Directors

The Officers and Board members for the 2020-2021 year are: Chair Bruce Z. Walker (Cohen Pollock Merlin & Small, PC), Vice Chair Gregory Taube (Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP), Secretary Doroteya Wozniak (James Bates Brannan Groover, LLP), Treasurer Alexandra “CC” Schnapp (United States Bankruptcy Court), Immediate Past Chair Melissa J. Davey (Standing Chapter 13 Trustee); and Members-at-Large Bryan Bates (Parker Hudson Rainer & Dobbs, LLP), Ashley Champion (U.S. Bankruptcy Court), Alaina C. Joseph (King & King Law, LLC), Maria Joyner (Nancy J. Whaley, Standing Ch.12 and 13 Trustee), Taylor Mansell (Shapiro Pendergast & Hasty, LLP), Gai Lynn McCarthy (KPPB Law), and Aimee Pickett Sanders (Alston & Bird , LLP). Contact Us If you have proposals for BBankruptcy Section activities or projects, please contact any of the officers or board members.