NACBA's 34th Annual Convention

• Leadership skills
• Delegation & training junior staff
• Law Firm's Role in Supporting Career Advancement

Time-block, template, and sanity-saving tricks

• How to gather, screen, and verify client information
• Identifying red flags early (tax issues, business interests, transfers, etc.)

• Avoiding UPL
• Confidentiality & communication rules

Family related debts can create some of the most complex issues in bankruptcy cases. This session breaks down how to distinguish and treat domestic support obligations and property settlements under §§ 523(a)(5), 523(a)(15), and 1328. We will explore how separation agreements, hold harmless clauses, timing of obligations, and chapter choice can determine dischargeability and plan strategy. We will also address how Domestic Violence Protective Orders intersect with bankruptcy filings, including strategies to secure safety and protect sensitive information from an abuser. With real world examples and recent case law, this session equips practitioners to confidently handle family related debts, whether you are representing the payor or the payee.

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.