The American Board of Certification

ABC is the nation's premier legal specialty certification organization - certifying attorneys as specialists in business bankruptcy, consumer bankruptcy and creditors' rights law.

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While we all deal with the uncertainty of Covid-19 and its impact of our health and well-being, it is important to remember that things will get better.  None of us can know exactly when, but we can take comfort in knowing that the situation will improve.  Even after the immediate crisis subsides the economic impact will be far reaching and long lasting.  We at the American Board of Certification and our certified attorneys should continue to lean on each other for support and guidance.  It is precisely times like these that our clients, families and communities rely on our professionalism and experience.   Please remember to abide by the regulations promulgated by the CDC while keeping your practices running and feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns you have.  Our organization continues to function for the benefit of our certified attorneys.

 

In response to recent health events, the closure of many state offices, and the cancellation of in-person CLE conferences and seminars, the American Board of Certification has determined that the deadline for all ABC-Certified attorneys with recertification applications due in 2020 is hereby extended.  Recertification applications are now due on September 30, 2020.  In addition, the requirement in Rule 3.1.4 that at least thirty hours of CLE must be satisfied at live, in-person CLE is temporarily waived for those who must recertify in 2020.  Attorneys who must submit recertification applications by the extended date of September 30, 2020, can now complete all or any portion of the Rule 3.1.4 CLE requirements through online programs offered by state-approved CLE providers.

Find a Certified Attorney

You expect certification from your doctor - expect it from your lawyer too. Board Certification means that the certified attorney has met rigorous, objective standards and has demonstrated knowledge in bankruptcy and/or creditors' rights law.

 

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ABC certification provides an objective standard that assists the public in making informed decisions in choosing counsel. Additionally, ABC certification encourages attorneys to strive for excellence, and recognizes those attorneys who have met ABC's rigorous standards.

     

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    Resources for Board Certified Attorneys

    Below are some useful resources to help promote your ABC Certification. Login Required

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    ABC Program: Ain’t Misbehavin’ Featuring Judges on Best Practices          

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    Member Articles

    Posted on May 1st, 2020

    Last in Line: Nuts and Bolts of the Structured Dismissal of a Chapter 11 Case

    For decades, the conventional wisdom was that no matter why a business filed for chapter 11, there were only three ways for it to exit: (1) confirmation of a plan (which could include a liquidating plan); (2) conversion to chapter 7; or (3) dismissal.
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    Posted on May 1st, 2020

    Consumer Point: Failure to Meet Deadlines Makes Taxes Nondischargeable

    Benjamin Franklin’s famous words are especially prescient for debtors who fail to timely file pre-petition tax returns for income taxes that otherwise would be dischargeable. Section 523 (a) (1) (A) excepts from discharge in cases under
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    Posted on May 1st, 2020

    Lien on Me: When Less is Not More: Sufficient Identification of Collateral in Financing Statements

    Skimping on collateral descriptions might come at a cost, depending on the jurisdiction, as evidenced by recent decisions from two courts of appeals that reached very different conclusions
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    About ABC Board Certification

    The American Board of Certification (ABC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the public and improving the quality of the bankruptcy and creditors' rights law bars. ABC has certified nearly 1,000 attorneys in consumer and business bankruptcy and creditor's rights law nationwide. ABC certification serves the public by allowing potential clients to make an informed decision in choosing bankruptcy and creditors rights counsel. In addition, ABC certification encourages attorneys to strive toward excellence and recognizes those attorneys who have met the rigorous ABC standards. ABC offers separate certification programs in business bankruptcy, consumer bankruptcy and creditors' rights law.

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