September 29, 2005
Grand Hyatt San Francisco on Union Square

Grand Hyatt San Francisco on Union Square 345 Stockton Street San Francisco, California 94108 Tel: 415.398.1234 Fax: 415.391.1780 | Map & Directions |

Designed to provide practitioners with an in-depth analysis of new trends in plans, in acquiring distressed companies, current practice for ciritical vendors, real estate outlook for the West Coast and selected issues arising from the new bankruptcy law. The complexities of the Pacific Gas and Electric case will be discussed.

The Networking Cocktail Reception following the educational program is sponsored by Bachecki, Crom & Co., LLP; Klee, Tuchin, Bogdanoff & Stern LLP; Merrill Lynch Capital; and Deloitte.

Register Online Now

Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations made after February 9/15/2005 are subject to a $50 dollar processing fee.

7 Hours of MCLE Available *(California)

8 Hours of CPE Available

A limited number of rooms are available at the Grand Hyatt San Francisco at the special room rate of $259. single/double plus tax per night. For reservations call (415) 848-6133 or (800) 232-1234, ask for AIRA room block by 9/8/05. Any reservations made after this date will be based on the Hyatt’s availability and will be charged the full price.

8:00–8:30 Registration

8:30–8:45 Welcome & Opening Remarks
Conference Chair: Farley Lee, CIRA, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP

8:45–9:45 Overview of Recent Developments in Business Bankruptcies

Moderator:
	Cecily A. Dumas, Friedman Dumas & Springwater
Speakers:
	Hon. Gregg Zive, US Bankruptcy Court, Reno, Nevada
	Frank A. Merola, Stutman Treister & Glatt
	Jeff Truitt, Mesirow Financial Consulting
Content:
This panel will offer perspectives on the latest trends from the bench, the debtor, creditors and financial advisors. Topics include selected issues on the New Bankruptcy Code, plan proposal and exclusivity, use of examiners in confirmation fights, and post-confirmation.

9:45–10:00 Break

10:00–11:00 Pacific Gas and Electric Company Case Study

Moderator:
	William Lafferty, Howard, Rice, Nemerovski, Canady, Falk and Rabkin, a Professional Corporation
Speakers:
	Thomas Lumsden, CIRA, FTI Consulting, Inc
	Christopher J. Warner, Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Content:
Panelists will discuss the complexities of filing the case, certain litigation issues and battles which predominated during the first two years of the case, the importance of investment grade debt ratings to the debtor’s emergence from bankruptcy, and the structure of the “Settlement Plan,” including the company’s agreement with the CPUC concerning cost recoveries adequate to support the company’s emergence from chapter 11.

11:00–12:00 Critical Vendor Motions After K-Mart

Moderator:
	Keith McDaniels, Winston & Strawn LLP
Speakers:
	Jeffrey Reyfeld, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
	Scott Brubaker, CIRA, Alvarez & Marsal LLC
Content:
This panel will discuss current issues affecting critical vendor motions, including a summary of the 7th Circuit’s decision in K-Mart and overview of the current case law, the new amendments to the Bankruptcy Code and how they may affect future critical vendor program motions, and business planning strategies for distressed companies.

12:00-1:00 Lunch

1:00–2:00 Lenders’ Roundtable on the Impact of the New Bankruptcy Code

Moderator:
	Christine Kenmore, Well Fargo Bank
Speakers:
	Steve Macko, Wells Fargo Foothill
	David Drogos, BFI Finance
Content:
Led by Managing Counsel for Wells Fargo Bank, this panel will discuss key issues for lenders generated by the recent amendments to the Bankruptcy Code. Will include a discussion of the impact to lenders of the revisions relating to extensions of the exclusivity period, lease assumption deadlines and claims, reclamation and employee claims, avoidance actions and single asset real estate cases.

2:00–3:00 Successful Strategies used in Acquiring Distressed Companies: A Financial and Legal Perspective

Moderator:
	Farley Lee, CIRA, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP
Speakers:
	Ali M. M. Mojdehi, Baker & McKenzie
	Paul Novak, CIRA, CDBV Goldsmith Agio Helms & Lynner, LLC
	Seth Freeman, CIRA, EM Capital
Content:
Find out how value is assessed and captured in the topsy-turvy world of a distressed acquisition. Discussion will focus on practical techniques and “how-to’s” for spotting these companies and avoiding the typical pot-holes in acquiring troubled entities from both a financial and legal perspective.

3:00–3:15 Break

3:15–4:15 Real Estate Industry Analysis: 1) Current Economic Situation and Outlook for the West Coast 2) Impact on Leases from the New Bankruptcy Code

Moderator:
	Heather Van de Velde, Bachecki, Crom & Co, LLP
Speakers:
	Bill Brandt, DSI
	Ken Brown, Pachulski, Stang, Ziehl, Jones & Weintraub, PC (Creditor’s perspective)
	Robert Trodella, Heller Ehrman (Landlord’s Perspective)
Content:
Panelists will analyze the effects of the Bankruptcy Code Amendments on real property leases. The discussion will offer perspectives from Trustees, Creditors and Landlords. We will also explore the current economic outlook for the West Coast real estate industry.

4:15–5:15 Strategies and Opportunities for Creditors and Investors Under the New Code

Moderator:
	Tobias Keller, Pachulski Stang, Ziehl, Young, Jones & Weintraub PC
Speakers:
	Paul Weber, FTI Consulting, Inc.
	Lee Bogdanoff, Klee, Tuchin, Bogdanoff & Stern LLP
	Bill Brinkman, Jigsaw Partners, LLC
Content:
This panel will address opportunities presented for creditors and investors presented by the amendments to the Bankruptcy Code, including issues regarding the treatment of management and employees, appointment of committees and trustees, and related matters.

5:30–7:30 Cocktail Reception
Sponsored by:
Bachecki, Crom & Co., LLP
Klee, Tuchin, Bogdanoff & Stern LLP
Deloitte.