Annual Debtor-Creditor Bankruptcy Update Western District 2026

  • In-person seminar
  • Webcast seminar
  • Attorney Regulation
  • Creditor and Debtor Law
Up to 7.5 Credit Hours
View schedule and faculty
Annual Debtor-Creditor Bankruptcy Update Western District 2026

Co-produced with the Bankruptcy, Insolvency & Creditors’ Rights Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin

Expect the unexpected
A financially distressed client, a contested claim, or a procedural hurdle can quickly reshape your approach to a bankruptcy matter. The Annual Debtor-Creditor Bankruptcy Update Western District 2026 brings together judges and experienced practitioners to examine the latest legal and strategic issues affecting bankruptcy and creditors' rights in Wisconsin.

8:30 am
Real Estate Tax Foreclosures

J. David Krekeler, Theresa Montag, Dawn T. Shaha

  • Want to have corporation counsel on this session
  • Tax rolls
  • When does the tax accrue?
9:20 am
Primer on First Day Motions

Western District: Hon. Catherine J. Furay, Peter T. Nowak, Kimberly P. Sebranek, William E. Wallo

  • Employment of professionals
  • payment of wages
  • critical vendors
  • cash collateral
  • Merchant Cash Advances
  • DIP Financer
10:10 am
Break
10:25 am
Involuntary proceedings and what you need to know

Rebecca R. DeMarb, Seth E. Dizard, Jessica Haskell, Deanne M. Koll

  • Chapter 128
  • bankruptcies
  • receiverships
  • supplemental receiverships
  • partition actions – judicial dissolution
11:15 am
Annual Case Law Update

Eliza M. Reyes, Jennifer Schank, William E. Wallo

12:05 pm
Lunch (on your own)
1:15 pm
Clerk’s Office Update

Western District: John Kohler, Jamie Smith

1:35 pm
Judges’ Update

Western District: Hon. Catherine J. Furay, Hon. Thomas M. Lynch

2:35 pm
Break
2:50 pm
Cutting Edge Issues in Chapter 13

Western District: Kristin Beilke, Michael J. Maloney

  • Surrender of collateral post confirmation
  • Must or should interest be paid
  • 1322(b)(2) v. (c)(2) – mortgage modification issues
  • Disclosure of acquired post-petition assets
3:40 pm
Navigating the Ethical Minefield of Representing a Small Business

Kelly M. Smith, Christopher J. Stroebel

Representing a Small Business

  • Identify the client when business, owner, and guarantor interests overlap.
  • Navigate conflict checks, waivers, limited representation, and firm transitions.
  • Address suspected fraud, inaccurate records, and client accusations.
  • Understand counsel’s ethical and disclosure duties in bankruptcy.
  • Apply Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules and relevant case law through an interactive case study.
4:30 pm
Program Concludes
Kristin Beilke
Standing Trustee for Ch. 12 & 13 · Madison
Rebecca R. DeMarb
Swanson Sweet LLP · Madison
Seth E. Dizard
O'Neil Cannon Hollman DeJong & Laing, S.C. · Milwaukee
Hon. Catherine J. Furay
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Wisconsin · Madison
Mark Harring
Standing Trustee for Ch. 12 & 13 · Madison
Michael J. Maloney
Watton Law Group, S.C. · Milwaukee
Kelly M. Smith
Phillip A. Norman PC Attorneys · Brookfield
Christopher J. Stroebel
Stroebel Law LLC · Madison
Hon. Thomas M. Lynch
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois · Rockford, IL
Jamie Smith
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Wisconsin · Madison
John Kohler
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Wisconsin · Madison
William E. Wallo
Bakke Norman, S.C. · Eau Claire
Eliza M. Reyes
Richman & Richman LLC · Madison
Jennifer Schank
Fuhrman & Dodge, S.C. · Madison
Deanne M. Koll
Bakke Norman, S.C. · New Richmond
Jessica Haskell
O'Neil Cannon Hollman DeJong & Laing, S.C. · Milwaukee
Peter T. Nowak
Swanson Sweet LLP · Oshkosh
Kimberly P. Sebranek
Laffey Sebranek Auby & Ristau, S.C. · Madison
Dawn T. Shaha
Outagamie County Corporation Counsel · Appleton
J. David Krekeler
Krekeler Law, S.C. · Madison
Theresa Montag
Milwaukee City Attorney’s Office · Milwaukee

Sponsored by

Interested in sponsoring this program? Find out more.

  • Debtor-creditor attorneys
  • Insolvency lawyers
  • Bankruptcy lawyers
  • Bankruptcy trustees
  • General practitioners
  • Stay current on recent updates directly from bankruptcy clerks
  • Gain practical approaches to complex proceedings, including procedural requirements, emerging legal issues, and interactions with the court
  • Strengthen your strategic decision-making with insights from judges, and experienced practitioners on emerging trends
  • Navigate complex proceedings efficiently and avoid common pitfalls
  • Get answers to ethical questions specific to debtor-creditor practice

Collections & Bankruptcy in Wisconsin
Save 25% on Collections & Bankruptcy in Wisconsin.* It’s the go-to resource to help you better understand collection remedies, negotiating agreements with creditors, and resolving bankruptcy proceedings. Use discount code CA3992 when you order online or by calling (800) 728-7788.

*Discount applies to both print and digital Books Unbound® editions of this title and cannot be applied to previous purchases. Offer valid through 12/31/27. For Books Unbound users, discount may be applied to purchase of individual Books Unbound title only and may not be used on the purchase of libraries. Discount cannot be combined with any other offers.