As we near the end of 2023, we are pleased to step back and highlight the work performed by the Young and New Members Committee over the past year. We have loved working with our committee leaders and are truly grateful for their time and commitment to ABI.
Quarterly Newsletters
In 2023, the committee published newsletters in January and October featuring five articles. Our January 2023 newsletter included two articles on cryptocurrency. One of the articles discussed intrinsic value as the proper valuation method of cryptocurrency assets held in the custody of cryptocurrency exchanges, as well as factors to consider when calculating the intrinsic value of custodially held cryptocurrency assets, and risk-mitigation approaches to preserve asset value. Another article drew comparisons between the crashes of major cryptocurrency exchanges in 2022 and the collapse of the savings and loan industry in the 1980s. Our October 2023 newsletter featured an article on the application of the time-computation provisions of FRBP 9006, an article discussing important considerations when conducting international intellectual property valuation, and an article on the illusions and economic realities that plague the world of digital finance.
The Young and New Members Committee is looking for authors for our newsletter. Writing for our committee newsletter is a great way to get more involved with the committee and to publish with ABI. If you have any interest in writing for the newsletter, please reach out to Newsletter Editors Jack O’Connor or Joy Kleisinger (their email addresses are below). The deadline to submit a topic for the next newsletter is Jan. 18, 2024, and articles are due Feb. 1, 2024.
2023 Annual Spring Meeting
As part of ABI’s Annual Spring Meeting (April 20-22, 2023), the committee partnered with the Ethics and Professional Compensation Committee to present a panel titled, “Danger Ahead! Avoiding and Addressing Ethical Landmines in Attorney Engagement and Compensation.” The panel consisted of Hon. Hannah L. Blumenstiel (U.S. Bankruptcy Court (N.D. Cal); San Francisco), Timothy Anzenberger (Adams and Reese; Ridgeland, Miss.), Bodie Colwell (Preti Flaherty; Portland, Maine) and Sarah Primrose (King & Spalding; Atlanta).
2023 Winter Leadership Conference
Co-Education Directors John Baxter and Amber Carson planned the committee’s panel for ABI’s Winter Leadership Conference (Nov. 30-Dec. 2, 2023). The committee partnered with the Business Reorganization Committee to present a panel titled, “The Intersection of Arbitration and Bankruptcy.” The panel included Hon. Stacey G. C. Jernigan (U.S. Bankruptcy Court (N.D. Tex.); Dallas), Justin Alberto (Cole Schotz P.C.; Wilmington, Del.), Alexis Leventhal (Reed Smith; Pittsburgh) and Samuel Newman (Sidley Austin LLP; Los Angeles).
Happy Hour
On April 20, 2023, the committee hosted a happy hour with the Business Reorganization Committee and Unsecured Trade Creditors Committee prior to the opening reception at the Annual Spring Meeting.
Looking Ahead to 2024
In 2024, the committee is excited to host its first ABI podcast, “Fresh Start: A Podcast for Young and New Insolvency Professionals.” The first episode features Karlene Archer talking with Gabrielle Palmer about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and working from home on work/life balance.
Over the course of the coming year, we will continue to identify ways for our committee members to get involved. Newsletter articles are a great way to do this, so please contact Newsletter Co-Editors Joy Kleisinger and Jack O’Connor with your ideas and submissions. We also invite you to share with us any other questions or thoughts that you may have regarding the Young and New Members Committee or ABI in general.
We look forward to meeting and working with more of you in the future!
Leadership
Co-Chairs:
- Christina Sanfelippo, Cozen O’Connor (csanfelippo@cozen.com)
- Bodie B. Colwell, Preti, Flaherty, LLP (bcolwell@preti.com)
Communications Manager:
- Jon Schlotterback, Mayer Brown LLP (jschlotterback@mayerbrown.com)
Education Directors:
- John T. Baxter, Shackelford Bowen McKinley & Norton LLP (jbaxter@shackelford.law)
- Amber M. Carson, Gray Reed & McGraw LLP (acarson@grayreed.com)
Member Relations Directors:
- Letson Douglass Boots, Bernstein Shur (lboots@bernsteinshur.com)
- Christian A. Conway, Neal and Leroy, LLC (cconway@nealandleroy.com)
Newsletter Editors:
- John Richard O’Connor, Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC (joconnor@lplegal.com)
- Joy D. Kleisinger, Frost Brown Todd, LLC (jkleisinger@fbtlaw.com)
Special Projects Leader:
- Gabrielle G. Palmer, Onsager Fletcher Johnson Palmer LLC (gpalmer@ofjlaw.com).
— Christina Sanfelippo
Bodie B. Colwell
Co-Chairs