NACBA's 34th Annual Convention

As technology, digital income streams, and nontraditional property interests expand, consumer bankruptcy attorneys are increasingly confronted with assets that can’t be easily appraised, touched, or sold — yet may have real value to the estate.
This session, presented in collaboration with NCLC, explores the growing challenge of identifying and valuing intangible assets in bankruptcy practice. From small business goodwill to digital accounts, intellectual property, NFTs, and online income, panelists will discuss how to determine what’s property of the estate, when expert valuation is warranted, and how to navigate disputes over worth and exemption.
Key topics include:

• Recognizing intangible assets during intake and disclosure.
• Practical approaches to valuation — when to engage an expert and what metrics to use.
• How trustees, creditors, and debtors view “soft assets” differently.
• Case law and trends shaping valuation disputes in consumer cases.
• Ethical considerations when assets have speculative or fluctuating value.

Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to spot, value, and defend intangible assets in today’s evolving consumer landscape.

In the fast-paced world of consumer bankruptcy, paralegals are often the frontline problem-solvers who keep cases moving, clients supported, and attorneys informed. This interactive roundtable brings together experienced consumer-bankruptcy paralegals to openly discuss the practices, workflows, and tools that truly make a difference—along with the recurring challenges that complicate even the most straightforward cases.
Participants will compare “the good” (successful systems, communication strategies, intake processes, and document-management methods), “the bad” (common bottlenecks in Chapter 7 and 13 practice, missteps that derail timelines, and client issues that require careful handling), and “the ugly” (red-flag situations, ethical pitfalls, and avoidable errors that can create unnecessary risk for your firm).
Whether you are looking to sharpen your skills, streamline your office procedures, or simply learn how other firms navigate the same hurdles you face every day, this session offers practical, candid insights you can implement immediately. Come prepared to share your experiences, learn from your peers, and walk away with strategies that support a more efficient, effective, and resilient bankruptcy practice.

As AI tools, automation, and document generators become mainstream, bankruptcy attorneys must understand where convenience ends and ethical risk begins. This session explores issues of confidentiality, accuracy, unauthorized practice, and client consent in a rapidly changing digital environment — including the do’s and don’ts of using AI to draft filings, letters, and marketing materials.