Bankruptcy Law Section
section updates
Bankruptcy Law Section
The Bankruptcy Law Section has been busy ! We have had a full schedule of events - ones we recently concluded were :
Pollard CLE Program and Luncheon
First , the Section held its annual Spring CLE Program and Luncheon on May 11 , 2023 , at the Capital City Club . This year ’ s program featured a two-part ethics and professionalism panel entitled " The Honorable W . Homer Drake Jr . Professionalism & Ethics Panel Discussion " and focused on the life and lessons of the late Hon . Drake ( U . S . Bankruptcy Court ). Panelists included Hon . C . Ray Mullins ( Ret , U . S . Bankruptcy Court , Northern District of Georgia ); Gus H . Small ( Small Herrin LLP ); Grant T . Stein ( Alston & Bird LLP ); M . Regina Thomas ( Ret , U . S . Bankruptcy Court , Northern District of Georgia ); and Jonathan S . Adams ( U . S . Department of Justice , Office of the U . S . Trustee ). The program was entertaining and dynamic as the speakers shared their personal stories about Hon . Drake .
The panel was followed by a luncheon where the Board of Directors of the Bankruptcy Law Section of the Atlanta Bar Association presented the 2023 David W . Pollard Achievement Award to Hon . Wendy L . Hagenau ( U . S . Bankruptcy Court , Northern District of Georgia ). The award is presented each year to “ a member of the Atlanta Bar Association who best exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism and ethics in the bankruptcy practice .” The ceremony began with an introduction to the 2023-2024 Bankruptcy Law Section Board , followed by an introduction to Hon . Hagenau by past Pollard Award Recipient M . Regina Thomas , and Hon . Hagenau ’ s heartfelt acceptance speech . Hon . Hagenau was joined by her husband and three children as well as former colleagues who came to help celebrate her achievement and commitment to the profession .
Summer Soirée and Send-off Celebration for M . Regina Thomas
Next , the Atlanta Bar Bankruptcy Law Section joined with other local bar organizations to celebrate M . Regina Thomas ’ s retirement as Clerk of the Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia . The event was held June 22 , 2023 at the Wild Leap Atlanta Brewery in downtown Atlanta . More than 80 members of the bench and bar joined to honor and recognize Thomas on this momentous occasion . All enjoyed celebratory drinks and Cuban fare on a beautiful summer evening .
Coffee with the Court : An Event for Summer Associates
Then in June , the Bankruptcy Law Section , in conjunction with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia , hosted an event for summer associates and interns throughout the metro area . Coffee with the Court drew 40 students , who had the chance to watch a Sub V hearing before Hon . Sigler and to hear from several of the judges about their experiences before and after becoming judges . Many of the judges
joined the attendees , fellow judges and law clerks , and members of the Bankruptcy Law Section Board for iced coffee and donuts afterwards in Hon . Sigler ' s chambers .
Joint Bankruptcy and Real Estate CLE
The Bankruptcy Law Section and Real Estate Section teamed up for a breakfast and CLE program on Thursday , September 21 , 2023 from 7:30 – 9:00 a . m . at Prominence Tower . The program , entitled “ How to avoid common pitfalls relating to defective deeds : what every real estate and bankruptcy practitioner should know about security deeds ,” featured esteemed speakers Hon . Barbara Ellis- Monro ( U . S . Bankruptcy Court , Northern District of Georgia ), Michael J . Bargar ( Rountree Leitman Klein & Geer LLC ), T . Matthew Mashburn ( Aldridge Pite LLP ); and Anjali Khosla ( Rubin Lublin , LLC ).
Although some errors in deeds are harmless , others are fatal to the conveyance . This program discussed proper deed attestation , what happens if a security deed is missing required signatures , why it matters , and how to fix it . Panelists explained recent case law and legislation on this topic , providing vital information for real estate professionals and bankruptcy practitioners alike .
Upcoming Event
Community Service Drive : Please join us and help stock The Drake House pantry !
The Drake House is a 501c3 organization that works to respond to the growing number of single mothers and their children who are experiencing homelessness in North Fulton . If you were unable to bring pantry items to September 21 CLE , you can purchase items from the Amazon Wishlist for delivery by the Bankruptcy Law Section . Contact either Alexandra " CC " Schnapp ( Law Clerk to Chief Bankruptcy Judge Wendy L . Hagenau ) or Kelly E . Waits ( Burr Forman LLP ) for more information .
Mark Your Calendars
• Our next CLE breakfast will be on November 10 , 2023 . Stay tuned for more information !
• The 2023 Year in Review will be held on February 14 , 2024 at the Capital City Club .
• Our annual Spring CLE Program and David E . Pollard Award Luncheon is slated for May 16 , 2024 , at the Capitol City Club .
ALEXANDRA “ CC ” SCHNAPP Law Clerk to Chief Bankruptcy Judge Wendy L . Hagenau alexandra _ schnapp @ ganb . uscourts . gov
KELLY E . WAITS Burr Forman LLP kwaits @ burr . com
46 August / September 2023