Bankruptcy, Regulatory Trends, and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Agenda are the Focus of ABA Meeting

WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 15, 2011 — Developments in bankruptcy litigation, regulatory trends in investment management, and the Securities and Exchange Commission’s auditing and litigation practices are among hot topics at the American Bar Association Business Law Section’s Fall Meeting at The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C., on Nov. 18–19.

Meredith B. Cross, director, Division of Corporation Finance, SEC, will participate in a dialogue at 11 a.m., Nov. 18.  Cross will discuss a number of matters being addressed by the division, including Dodd-Frank, small business capital formation and other rulemaking initiatives. 

The following programs feature experts from the Federal Trade Commission, SEC, Federal Reserve Bank, Investment Company Institute, SecondMarket, as well as business law experts from around the country.

“Bankruptcy for Breakfast” – Developments in bankruptcy litigation in 2011, including the effects of the Supreme Court’s decision in Stern v. Marshall, will be discussed by two bankruptcy judges and two litigators during this program.
Nov. 18, 8:30 a.m., Roosevelt Room

“Key Accounting and Auditing Issues for 2012” – The SEC’s accounting staff and a representative from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board will discuss the agendas of their agencies that will impact securities issuers and their attorneys in the coming year.
Nov. 18, 9:30 a.m., Plaza I

“Regulatory and Enforcement Trends in Investment Management” – Representatives from the SEC’s Investment Management Division will address regulatory challenges that will widely affect money managers and fund operations.  Topics include post-Dodd-Frank rulemaking, derivatives, exchange-traded funds, and more.
Nov. 18, 2 p.m., Salon II

“Litigating with the Government” – Senior trial attorneys from the SEC and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency will explore issues faced by clients and counsel when litigating against the government.
Nov. 18, 2 p.m., Salon III A

“A Capital Markets Conversation with the SEC” – Panelists will discuss the SEC’s recent regulatory initiatives relating to the capital markets and asset-backed securities.  Proposed amendments to Regulation AB, criteria for use of shelf registration under the Securities Act of 1933, proposed Dodd-Frank risk retention rules, and other SEC rulemakings mandated by Dodd-Frank are on the agenda.
Nov 18, 3:30 p.m., Salon II

“The Brave New World of Secondary Market Trading” – Panelists will give an overview of the current environment for secondary sales in private company securities, as well as address legal and regulatory hurdles and concerns, including compliance with federal securities registration laws and Rule 10b-5 and 409A valuations.
Nov. 19, 9:30 a.m., Plaza I

The on-site guide and a link to the full agenda can be found here.

There is no charge for media covering this event.  For media credentialing and conference materials, or to interview speakers, please contact Alexandra Buller at 202-662-1508, Alexandra.Buller@Americanbar.org.

With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the world’s largest voluntary professional membership organization.  As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

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