Practitioners Gather for Largest Spring Meeting First Annual New York City Program a Hit

A record crowd of more than 450 attended the Annual Spring Meeting in Washington, April 15-18. Highlights

included a panel of congressional staffers and a White House representative, all commenting on the prospects for

bankruptcy reform.

</p><p>Moody's Investor Services Chief Economist John Lonski provided a generally upbeat national economy forecast

during a luncheon presentation, and Judge Randall Newsome (N.D. Cal.), NCBJ president, gave the annual state of

the bankruptcy system address during the opening session at the U.S. Supreme Court.

</p><p>The attendees, from more than 40 states and several foreign countries, received 13.5 hours of CLE credit.

</p><p><b>Ford Elsaesser</b> of Elsaesser, Jarzabek, Anderson, Marks and Elliott (Sandpoint, Idaho) became president for a

one-year term, succeeding <b>Deborah D. Williamson</b> (Cox &amp; Smith Inc.; San Antonio). <b>Keith J. Shapiro</b>

(Greenberg Traurig; Chicago) was named president-elect. Read about what ABI's committees discussed during their meetings!

</p><p>In addition, more than 270 practitioners attended the First Annual New York City Bankruptcy Conference on May 2. The event

was held at the Bar Association of the City of New York.

</p><p>Seven judges from the Southern District of New York joined leading professionals on nine educational panels. More

than 25 prominent law, accounting and financial institutions served as financial sponsors for the very successful

program.

</p><p>A dinner for event sponsors at the Bryant Park Cafe concluded the event. The tentative date for next year's program

is May 15, 2000.

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