2015 was an exciting and eventful year for the Legislation Committee itself, as well as for its leadership. While third-year Committee Co-Chair Jon Lieberman is concluding his final term, he is looking forward to his new role as an Associate Editor of the ABI Journal. Our new Co-Chair Dena Kessler is currently on maternity leave from BakerHostetler in Washington D.C., and we extend to her all of our best wishes. Our Listserve Facilitator Robert Shilliday of Shilliday Law in Denver has remained quite busy, as well as our Membership Relationship Director Keith Larson. Keith recently made a major move from the home state of Big Ten football powerhouse Iowa, to Louisville, Kentucky. Keith’s new location is at Seiller Waterman.
Several members of our leadership team have been particularly active. Monika Wiener, our Newsletter Editor from Jones Day in Los Angeles, has produced some quite fascinating newsletters. This year’s issues have included such articles as: “Legislative Update: European Edition,” by Mark Douglas of Jones Day in New York; “A Conversation with Professor Michelle M. Harner of the University of Maryland School of Law;” “Addressing Large Financial Institutions: Competing Proposals to Supplement (and Replace) Dodd-Frank,” by Christopher Giaimo of BakerHostetler in Washington D.C.; and, “No Stay of Termination of Without Legislation: Investors Oppose Proposed ISDA Stay Protocol Regarding Derivatives Contracts,” by our own Co-Special Projects/Task Force Leader Camisha Simmons. Camisha has opened her own firm with offices in Dallas, Texas and New York City.
Camisha and her Co-Special Projects/Task Force Leader Sage Sigler, Partner at Alston & Bird in Atlanta, are currently busy planning a webinar based on Camisha’s aforementioned article.
Finally, our Education Director Doug Foley, of McGuireWoods LLP in Washington D.C. has gone above and beyond helping plan our ASM and WLC presentations. This year, the Legislation Committee partnered with the Secured Credit Committee for our Annual Spring Meeting, and produced the very timely presentation “Secured Credit Under the Code and Commission Report.” Panel members included: Trish Redmond; Jonathan Halfat; Dan Kamensky; Jim Millstein; and, Anthony Grossi. Mr. Grossi serves as Counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary’s Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law, and was especially insightful as to Judiciary Committee procedure.
As for the 2015 Winter Leadership Conference, the Legislation Committee paired with the Consumer Bankruptcy Committee to present, “Recent and Pending Legislation Regarding Student Loans and CFPB Regulations for Mortgage Servicing.” Speakers included: Edward C. Boltz of the Law Offices of John T. Orcutt P.C., in Durham, North Carolina; Professor Susan E. Hauser of the North Carolina Central University School of Law, also in Durham, North Carolina; and, Debra L. Miller, Standing Chapter 13 Trustee, of South Bend, Indiana.