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2023 Bankruptcy & Collections Virtual Series

Are you up to speed on the latest bankruptcy and collection rules? Attend this virtual series and you will be.

Attorneys from the Dallas law firm of Blalack & Williams, which represents over 100 credit unions, will conduct two live webinars covering bankruptcy and collection rules. The webinars will not be recorded.

Date & Time

Wednesday, Aug. 2
9 - 11 a.m. CT

Registration Deadlines

Early Bird: July 3
Regular Rate: July 31


Session Description

How to Stop Being a Loser at the Game of Bankruptcy

Do you ignore a new bankruptcy notice for a member or an impending deadline in a current bankruptcy case? Do you scoff at being bound by bankruptcy rules and procedures in your interactions with your member? Do you refuse to follow regulatory compliance in accounting for bankrupt members and credit reporting of their bankruptcies? If so, then you are probably utilizing strategies and techniques that will be reviewed in this lively and somewhat tongue-in-cheek seminar that offers clear alternatives to help you stop being a loser at the game of bankruptcy. Tom Sharp and Sharon Sjostrom are active practicing bankruptcy attorneys who have handled thousands of bankruptcy cases for credit unions over the past three decades across every district in the State of Texas. Together, they will review terrible, but all too common practices which are consistently unsuccessful for credit unions. These failed practices and strategies cause unnecessary losses and subject credit unions to costly defensive litigation.

Losing and unsuccessful strategies to be reviewed include ignoring the automatic stay; not timely preparing proofs of claims or reaffirmation agreements; depending on debtor attorneys to protect the best interest of the credit union in Chapter 13 plans, and ongoing case management. After illustrating the losing practices, best practice alternatives will be offered which will help you stop the losing and change courses to start winning in bankruptcy.

Presenters

Tom Sharp  

Tom Sharp has been with the Blalack & Williams team for more than 20 years, representing credit unions in federal, state, and bankruptcy courts across Texas. Sharp has handled more than 10,000 bankruptcy cases for credit unions and has appeared in person in all four Texas districts. He conducts seminars on bankruptcy and collection matters regularly. 

Sharon Sjostrom 

Sharon Sjostrom is a partner with the law firm of Blalack & Williams. In addition to assisting credit union clients with advice and counsel on an individual basis, Sjostrom presents seminars and provides in-house training for credit union employees. She has vast real-world knowledge and extensive experience on a variety of credit union issues, including bankruptcy, foreclosures, litigation, operations, vendor contract reviews, regulatory and compliance matters, and personnel issues. 

Collections Webinar

Date & Time

Tuesday, Aug. 22
9 - 11 a.m. CT

Registration Deadlines

Early Bird: July 24
Regular Rate: Aug. 18


Session Description

An Introduction to the Basics of Credit Union Collections: Tips, Techniques, Strategies and Problems

After covering all of the key legal issues that impact delinquent vehicle loans and repossessions in last year’s webinar, this year’s webinar will focus on the very practical, but often problematic, process of actually dealing with, speaking with, and collecting from delinquent members. Our presenters, Mike Blalack and Rob Woodcock of the law firm of Blalack and Williams, will provide credit union collectors with a basic foundational framework for understanding the challenges which arise in the world of collections and the nuts and bolts of telephone collections. In addition to introducing those foundational principles, a portion of the training will touch on common SCRA and FCRA issues, debtor validation requests and disputes, and the impact of federal law on credit union collections. Throughout this session, Mike and Rob will also address real-life scenarios credit union collectors may face from time to time and will provide legal pointers as well as practical advice on how credit union collectors should respond to debtors and their tactics.

Although this fast-paced collections training will benefit collectors of all experience levels, the various tips, techniques, and strategies that will be provided are especially designed to help new and less experienced collectors understand the collections landscape and become` more effective in dealing with the challenges presented by delinquent member accounts. 

 

Presenters

Mike Blalack

Mike Blalack 

Mike Blalack is an attorney from Dallas, with the law firm of Blalack and Williams, P.C., who has represented credit unions for more than 40 years. Blalack provides collections, regulatory, and compliance training in-house and at conferences throughout Texas for the Cornerstone Credit Union League, where he is consistently one of the highest-rated speakers.  

Rob Woodcock  

Rob Woodcock is a credit union attorney who has been practicing with the law firm of Blalack & Williams, P.C., for more than 15 years. Woodcock is part of the litigation group focused on collections and creditors' rights. 


Educational Investment

The market value of one of a seminar registration is $600. Cornerstone Members qualify for a significant discount as a benefit of membership.

Registration fee includes a 2-hour webinar with reference materials.

 

Fee Per Person   Early Bird Rate   Regular Rate   
Affiliated Member - Class A & B$300   $350   

 

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be received in writing. Please provide a brief explanation for the cancellation and submit via email to training@cornerstoneleague.coop. Cancellations received more than 30 days prior to the event are subject to a 25% administrative fee on the order total. No refunds will be granted for cancellations received on or after 30 days prior to the event. Substitutions are accepted prior to the start of the program. Additional costs may apply. Please provide the event name, current participant name, and new participant name to training@cornerstoneleague.coop.

Cornerstone League reserves the right to cancel or reschedule the event due to unforeseen circumstances. If the conference is rescheduled to another date or modified (virtual or hybrid), your registration will automatically transfer. If the event is rescheduled or location is changed, and you are unable to attend, your fees will be refunded.


Grant Assistance

The Cornerstone Foundation is accepting grant applications for League training events based on financial need. Applications must be received by application deadlines. Please visit the Foundation’s website to view all grant applications, guidelines, and deadlines. Contact Emily Moreno, Foundation Grants Manager, at 469-385-6483 for more information.


CU Webinar Network

Access recorded Collections and Bankruptcy sessions
through Credit Union Webinar Network.

Save up to 25% with Subscription Tokens!

Questions?

Call 800-442-5762 ext. 6630 or email us.