2025 Bankruptcy and Restructuring Forum
Date: Oct 10, 2025 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: New Jersey Law Center, New Brunswick, and Online
Member Price: $203.00
Non-Member Price: $254.00
Section Price: $0.00
Areas of Law: Bankruptcy
Earn up to 6.7 credits! (More Information)
Keynote
- Hon. Christine M. Gravelle, U.S.B.J.
- Chief Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey
Moderator
- Carlos D. Martinez, Esq.
- Law Office of Carlos D. Martinez, Iselin
- Joseph M. Shapiro, Esq.
- Partner, Middlebrooks Shapiro, P.C., BelmarJoseph M. Shapiro is a Partner in Middlebrooks Shapiro, P.C. in Springfield, New Jersey. He concentrates his practice in commercial bankruptcy, individual bankruptcy, creditor/debtor representation and bankruptcy litigation.
Admitted to practice in New Jersey and New York, and before the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, Mr. Shapiro was appointed to the New Jersey State Bar Association Cannabis Law Committee in 2019 and has been a member of the New York State Bar Association, the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey and the Turnaround Management Association. In 2012 he served as a volunteer attorney with the Honorable Morris Stern Bankruptcy pro bono project (the Rutgers-Newark Bankruptcy Pro Bono Project).
A lecturer for ICLE, Mr. Shapiro is a former Barrister of the Bankruptcy American Inn of Court and teaches business law to undergraduate students as an Adjunct Professor at Union County College. He has served as a continuing legal education presenter with Marino Legal CLE and as a Judge in the Vincent J. Appruzzese Mock Trial Competition.
Mr. Shapiro received his B.F.A., magna cum laude, from the Savannah College of Art & Design and his J.D. from Seton Hall University Law School. While a law student, he served as a research assistant to Professors Carl H. Coleman and Gaia Bernstein.
Presenters
- Jeffrey Bernstein, Esq
- McElroy Deutsch Mulvaney & Carpenter LLP, Newark
Presented in Cooperation with the NJSBA Bankruptcy Law Section
The popular Bankruptcy and Restructuring Forum returns for 2025 with a special keynote speaker and four panels on cutting-edge topics vital to your practice!
Whether you are a judge, a trustee, creditor’s counsel or debtor’s counsel, you will end the day with information that you can immediately put to use in your practice.
The day includes breakfast, lunch and a wine and cheese reception following the program.
Topics include:
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Emerging technology and bankruptcy - examining artificial intelligence issues
AI is transforming the practice of law – and bankruptcy is no exception. Join our expert panel as we explore how AI is reshaping case administration, legal research and financial analysis in cases and proceedings. The panel will discuss practical applications, ethical pitfalls and cybersecurity risks every bankruptcy petitioner needs to know. Whether you’re curious about leveraging AI for efficiency or concerned about its impact on professional responsibility, this session will equip you with the insights to navigate the rapidly evolving intersection of technology and bankruptcy law. -
Cryptocurrency and digital assets - regulatory evolution and the GENIUS Act
The intersection of bankruptcy law and digital assets is no longer a future concern – it’s here. From cryptocurrency exchange collapses to NFT portfolios being pulled into bankruptcy estates, attorneys are increasingly called on to handle complex, high-stakes questions about ownership, valuation, and recovery. This session will break down the latest developments in cryptocurrency regulation, spotlight key litigation trends, and explain how pending federal legislation could change the game. You’ll leave with the knowledge and practical tools to confidently address these emerging issues in your practice. -
Data privacy in bankruptcy - examining the 23andMe bankruptcy data sale
What happens when a bankruptcy estate includes millions of consumers’ most personal information – their DNA? This session will explore the legal, ethical, and practical challenges of handling sensitive personal data in bankruptcy cases and proceedings. Our speakers will unpack the 23andMe case, analyze the intersections of the Bankruptcy Code and privacy laws, and share strategies for navigating sales of consumer data. From the role of a consumer privacy ombudsman to cross-border GDPR complications, this panel will prepare bankruptcy practitioners to spot issues, mitigate risks, and advise clients when data becomes the asset at the center of the case. -
Merchant cash advances - litigation and regulation updates
Merchant Cash Advances (MCAs) continue to generate significant litigation as courts wrestle with whether these arrangements are true sales of receivables or disguised high-interest loans. This panel will dissect the latest case law, regulatory developments, and enforcement actions affecting MCA agreements. Attendees will gain practical insights into litigating MCA disputes, challenging the enforceability of MCA claims, navigating new state disclosure laws, and anticipating federal oversight. This session will equip you with the tools and strategies to handle one of the most contentious and rapidly evolving areas of commercial finance litigation.
Important Information About Our Events, Meetings, and More:
To secure your spot and receive important updates about our events, meetings, and other gatherings, such as schedule changes, remember to register in advance.
Digital Materials & Environmental Commitment: As part of our commitment to environmental sustainability, unless otherwise noted, all seminar materials are provided as digital downloads. You can access these materials through:
- The “My Links” section at the top of our website for in-person or online events
- Or, for online programs, the event access link included in your joining instructions
Cancellation and Refund Policy:
If you need to cancel your registration and are not transferring to another program or date, please submit a written request to us at least three business days before the event, meeting, or gathering. You will receive a refund minus a $20.00 cancellation fee. No refunds or registration changes will be issued within three business days of the event, meeting, or gathering.
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Scholarship & Financial Assistance Policy:
Read our Scholarship & Financial Assistance Policy and submit an Application here: https://njsba.com/njicle/cle-programs/scholarship/