Bankruptcy Symposium

Western Pennsylvania’s largest annual bankruptcy law event returns for a 38th year in 2025. The ACBA’s 38th Annual Western District of Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Symposium will feature a star-studded lineup of speakers, a full day of bankruptcy programming and multiple networking opportunities. The event allows registrants to earn up to six CLE credits, selecting from seven total programs. The agenda includes four plenary sessions and three breakout sessions, featuring two commercial programs and one extended consumer program. The consumer breakout is a two-hour session, which will include a 15-minute break.

A brief outline of program topics is below. For more information, including full descriptions, click here.

7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Opening Remarks

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Plenary Session One: BAPCPA or BCRAP – Did Populism Deliver Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Since 2005?

10:15 - 11:15 a.m.
Plenary Session Two: True Sales — Recharacterization of Receivables Sales and Other Transactions as Loans

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Plenary Session Three: Bias, Bots and the Bar: Ethical AI for Attorneys

12:45 - 1:45 p.m.
Networking Lunch

1:45 - 2:45 p.m.
Commercial Breakout Session One: Unlocking Opportunity in Distress: Navigating the Lifecycle of Distressed Assets
Consumer Breakout Session One: Chapter 7 and 13 Consumer Case Law Update (Part 1)

3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Commercial Breakout Session Two: Chapter 11 Topics
Consumer Breakout Session Two: Chapter 7 and 13 Consumer Case Law Update (Part 2)

4:15 - 5:15 p.m.
Plenary Session Four: The DIP Matrix – The Monster We Have Created Via DIP Financing

5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Networking Reception and ACBA Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Section Holiday Party

*This program is only being offered live in-person at the Koppers Building.

*This program has been approved for 5 hours of substantive CLE credit and 2 hours of ethics credit in Pennsylvania and also qualifies for 6 hours of credit under the West Virginia Rules for Mandatory Continuing Legal Education.

Last day to Pre-register: Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, 11:59 p.m.

Register by mail: Print and return the hard copy registration form available here.

*Please note: The Pa. CLE Board can take up to 45 days to post credits.

CLE and Events Registration Policy: Members and Non-members can register for ACBA programs online or by paper mail-in registration, up to two days prior to a program start date. Seating is limited, so pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space permits. To secure your spot, payment must be made in advance due to limited registration capacity. You can do so online via credit card or by mailing in a check. If this ACBA CLE cannot be held in-person, it will be converted into a webinar and held on the same date and time. You will be notified via email if that change is made.

Printed materials are available for an additional fee upon request.

Interested in this program but have a conflict and can’t attend? The vast majority of our webinar CLEs programs are recorded and available for CLE credit online within 72 hours. Click here to see all available ACBA online CLEs.