Fifth Circuit Bankruptcy Bench-Bar Conference
The Fifth Circuit Bankruptcy Bench-Bar Conference is a biennial event organized by The Center for American and International Law, bringing together judges, attorneys, and bankruptcy professionals from the Fifth Circuit. The 2026 conference is scheduled for March 26-27 at the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The conference agenda includes plenary sessions and breakout discussions on topics such as debt and dignity, administrative insolvency, student loans in bankruptcy, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence. Notable sessions feature panels on privacy concerns in bankruptcy proceedings and the unwritten laws of corporate reorganizations.
Attendees will have opportunities for networking during receptions and state-specific breakfasts. The event also includes a luncheon presentation and an optional evening gathering at the House of Blues. Distinguished speakers include Chief Judge Stacey G.C. Jernigan and Professor Douglas Baird.
This conference is ideal for bankruptcy judges, attorneys, trustees, and professionals seeking to stay informed on current issues and developments in bankruptcy law within the Fifth Circuit. It offers a platform for education, discussion, and professional networking.
Speakers(52)
Anne Burns
Attorney at Cavazos Hendricks Poirot, P.C.
Anne Burns is an attorney at Cavazos Hendricks Poirot, P.C. in Dallas, Texas.
Bach W. Norwood
Attorney at Hayward PLLC
Bach W. Norwood is an attorney at Hayward PLLC in Austin, Texas.
Barrett Lingle
Attorney at White & Case LLP
Barrett Lingle is an attorney at White & Case LLP in New York, New York.
Benjamin W. Kadden
Attorney at Lugenbuhl, Wheaton, Peck, Rankin & Hubbard
Benjamin W. Kadden is an attorney at Lugenbuhl, Wheaton, Peck, Rankin & Hubbard in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Brad Knapp
Attorney at Troutman Pepper Locke LLP
Brad Knapp is an attorney at Troutman Pepper Locke LLP in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Bradley L. Drell
Attorney at Gold, Weems, Bruser, Sues & Rundell, A PLC
Bradley L. Drell is an attorney at Gold, Weems, Bruser, Sues & Rundell, A PLC in Alexandria, Louisiana.
Brooke W. Altazan
Partner at Stewart Robbins Brown & Altazan, LLC
Brooke W. Altazan is a partner at Stewart Robbins Brown & Altazan, LLC in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Chief Judge Brenda Rhoades
Chief Judge at U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Texas
Chief Judge Brenda Rhoades presides over the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Texas in Plano.
Chief Judge Eduardo V. Rodriguez
Chief Judge at U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas
Chief Judge Eduardo V. Rodriguez serves on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas in McAllen.
Chief Judge Jason D. Woodard
Chief Judge at U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Mississippi
Chief Judge Jason D. Woodard presides over the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Mississippi in Aberdeen.
Chief Judge Katharine Samson
Chief Judge at U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Mississippi
Chief Judge Katharine Samson presides over the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Mississippi in Gulfport.
Chief Judge Michael A. Crawford
Chief Judge at U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Louisiana
Chief Judge Michael A. Crawford presides over the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Louisiana in Baton Rouge.
Chief Judge Stacey G.C. Jernigan
Chief Judge at U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Texas
Chief Judge Stacey G.C. Jernigan serves on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas in Dallas.
Craig M. Geno
Attorney at Law Offices of Geno and Steiskal, PLLC
Craig M. Geno is an attorney at the Law Offices of Geno and Steiskal, PLLC in Ridgeland, Mississippi.
David S. Meyer
Attorney at Vinson & Elkins LLP
David S. Meyer is an attorney at Vinson & Elkins LLP in New York, New York.
Deborah M. Perry
Attorney at Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C.
Deborah M. Perry is an attorney at Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C. in Dallas, Texas.
Douglas S. Draper
Attorney at Heller, Draper & Horn, LLC
Douglas S. Draper is an attorney at Heller, Draper & Horn, LLC in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Drew McManigle
Founder/CEO at MACCO Group
Drew McManigle is the Founder and CEO of MACCO Group in Houston, Texas.
Dwayne Murray
Trustee at Murray & Murray, LLC
Dwayne Murray is a trustee at Murray & Murray, LLC in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Gabriel Brunswick
Associate General Counsel at Kroll Restructuring Administration LLC
Gabriel Brunswick is the Associate General Counsel at Kroll Restructuring Administration LLC in New York, New York.
Igor Roitburg
Senior Managing Director at Stretto
Igor Roitburg is the Senior Managing Director at Stretto in Irvine, California.
Janet Northrup
Trustee at Hughes Watters Askanase, LLP
Janet Northrup is a trustee at Hughes Watters Askanase, LLP in Houston, Texas.
Julie Harrison
Attorney at Norton Rose Fulbright US, LLP
Julie Harrison is an attorney at Norton Rose Fulbright US, LLP in Houston, Texas.
Karie L. Fahrenholz
Chapter 13 Trustee at Eastern District of Louisiana
Karie L. Fahrenholz is a Chapter 13 Trustee in Metairie, Louisiana.
Kenric D. Kattner
Attorney at Haynes and Boone, LLP
Kenric D. Kattner is an attorney at Haynes and Boone, LLP in Houston, Texas, and New York, New York.
Leann Opotowsky Moses
Attorney at Carver, Darden, Koretzky, Tessier, Finn, Blossman & Areaux L.L.C.
Leann Opotowsky Moses is an attorney at Carver, Darden, Koretzky, Tessier, Finn, Blossman & Areaux L.L.C.
Louis Phillips
Attorney at Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP
Louis Phillips is an attorney at Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Michael (Mike) D. Warner
Attorney at Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones
Mr. Warner is an attorney at Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones in Houston, Texas.
Michael D. Rubenstein
Attorney at Liskow
Michael D. Rubenstein is an attorney at Liskow in Houston, Texas.
Michael D. Warner
Attorney at Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones
Michael D. Warner is an attorney at Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones in Houston, Texas.
Pam Bassel
Standing Chapter 13 Trustee at Office of the Standing Chapter 13 Trustee for the Northern District of Texas
Pam Bassel serves as the Standing Chapter 13 Trustee for the Northern District of Texas in Fort Worth.
Professor Brook E. Gotberg
Professor of Law at BYU Law School
Professor Brook E. Gotberg teaches at BYU Law School in Provo, Utah.
Professor Douglas Baird
Professor of Law at University of Chicago Law School
Professor Douglas Baird teaches at the University of Chicago Law School in Chicago, Illinois.
Professor Tony Casey
Professor of Law at University of Chicago Law School
Professor Tony Casey teaches at the University of Chicago Law School in Chicago, Illinois.
Ryan Omohundro
Managing Director, Restructuring & Turnaround at Alvarez & Marsal North America, LLC
Ryan Omohundro is the Managing Director of Restructuring & Turnaround at Alvarez & Marsal North America, LLC in Houston, Texas.
T.C. Rollins
Attorney at The Rollins Law Firm, PLLC
T.C. Rollins is an attorney at The Rollins Law Firm, PLLC in Jackson, Mississippi.
The Hon. Alfredo R. Perez
Judge at U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas
Judge Alfredo R. Perez serves on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas in Houston.
The Hon. Brad W. Odell
Judge at U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Texas
Judge Brad W. Odell serves on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas in Lubbock.
The Hon. Christopher G. Bradley
Judge at U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Texas
Judge Christopher G. Bradley serves on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas in Austin.
The Hon. Christopher Lopez
Judge at U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas
Judge Christopher Lopez serves on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas in Houston.
The Hon. E. Lee Morris
Judge at U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Texas
Judge E. Lee Morris serves on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas in Fort Worth.
The Hon. H. Christopher Mott
Judge at U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Texas
Judge H. Christopher Mott serves on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas in Austin.
The Hon. Jamie Wilson
Judge at U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Mississippi
Judge Jamie Wilson serves on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Mississippi in Jackson.
The Hon. John Kolwe
Judge at U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Louisiana
Judge John Kolwe serves on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana in Lafayette.
The Hon. Joshua P. Searcy
Judge at U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Texas
Judge Joshua P. Searcy serves on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Texas in Tyler.
The Hon. Mark X. Mullin
Judge at U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Texas
Judge Mark X. Mullin serves on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas in Fort Worth.
The Hon. Marvin Isgur
Judge at U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas
Judge Marvin Isgur serves on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas in Houston.
The Hon. Meredith Grabill
Judge at U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
Judge Meredith Grabill serves on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana in New Orleans.
The Hon. Michael Parker
Judge at U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Texas
Judge Michael Parker serves on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas in San Antonio.
The Hon. Selene Maddox
Judge at U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Mississippi
Judge Selene Maddox serves on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Mississippi in Aberdeen.
The Hon. Stephen Wheelis
Judge at U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Louisiana
Judge Stephen Wheelis serves on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana in Alexandria.
Todd Headden
Attorney at Hayward PLLC
Todd Headden is an attorney at Hayward PLLC in Austin, Texas.
Event Details
- Date
- March 26-27, 2026
- 2 days
- Location
- 🇺🇸 New Orleans, United States
- Omni Royal Orleans Hotel
- Pricing
- $375 - $825
- Audience
- Bankruptcy judges, attorneys, trustees, and professionals within the Fifth Circuit
- CLE Credits
- MCLE Credit will be available
- Attendees
- Over 200 attendees and faculty