Focus: the Business Reorganization Committee
In the first of what we hope will be many committee focus columns, we interviewed the co-chairs of ABI’s Business Reorganization Committee—Bradley Sharp from Development Specialists Inc. in Los Angeles and Jo Ann Brighton from Kennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman LLP, in Charlotte, N.C.—to find out exactly what the Business Reorganization Committee does. One of the largest ABI committees, the Business Reorganization Committee has long had a strong membership base, which helped it become a leader in ABI committee educational program development. In fact, last winter the Business Reorganization Committee joined with the Young New Members Committee to sponsor the highly successful program "You Can Run, But Can You Hide?—Are Third Party Releases Permissible in Reorganization Plans?"
We hope that this introduction to the Business Reorganization Committee, or an introduction to any other committee featured in future "Focus" columns of the YNMC newsletter, helps you identify the area of ABI that is most interesting to you. We encourage you to find your niche and get more involved in ABI!
What is the focus of the Business Reorganization Committee?
To study, analyze and make reports and recommendations on the operations of business reorganization cases.
Who should want to join the Business Reorganization Committee and why?
Any bankruptcy professional that is interested in business issues facing companies in a reorganization process.
Who are the typical members of the Business Reorganization Committee?
Our committee is large and diverse. Our members range from young professionals to those who have been involved in the industry for many years. The committee includes attorneys, lenders, consultants and other professionals that are focused on the business issues of companies in reorganization.
What does the Business Reorganization Committee do?
The committee provides two education sessions per year, once at the Annual Spring Meeting and once at the Winter Leadership Conference. These educational sessions are typically provided in conjunction with other ABI committees and address issues important to the members of both committees.
The committee also issues a periodic newsletter presenting articles of interest to the members. Our newsletter editor is Deborah A. Crabbe at Foster Pepper PLLC in Seattle. Her contact information is available on the Business Reorganization pages of ABI’s Web Site.
What is the Business Reorganization Committee focusing on now?
The committee co-chairs are currently working to increase the member involvement and interaction with other committee members. For example, we have invited the committee members to a networking function at the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges (NCBJ). We are also seeking to delegate certain committee functions to members in order to broaden the resources available to the committee.
How can a young or new member of ABI become involved in the Business Reorganization Committee?
We are always looking for articles to be published in the newsletter. We are also interested in receiving ideas and participants in our educational programs. Please contact us [Jo Ann and Bradley] if you want to get involved!