Waldrep Wall’s Bankruptcy Team Speaks at the 47th Annual Bankruptcy Institute

From November 15-16, 2024, many members of the Waldrep Wall’s bankruptcy team attended the North Carolina Bar Association’s (NCBA) 47th Annual Bankruptcy Institute in Wrightsville Beach, NC.  At the Annual Bankruptcy Institute, Jim Lanik and Ciara Rogers presented on November 16, 2024, at the following sessions:  

  

How to Use AI to Benefit Your Practice 

Koury L. Hicks, Law Offices of John T. Orcutt, Durham  

James C. “Jim” Lanik, Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC, Winston-Salem 

  

Session Description: 

Explore the practical uses and ethical considerations of integrating AI into bankruptcy law practice. This session covers a newly proposed ethics opinion on AI and explores the real-world applications and potential pitfalls for attorneys and their staff. 

  

What About the Taxes? 

Hunter E. Fritz, North Carolina Department of Justice Revenue Section, Raleigh 

Benjamin Higgins, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of NC, Raleigh 

Ciara L. Rogers, Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC, Raleigh 

  

Session Description: 

Tax issues can complicate any bankruptcy, whether consumer or business. This panel discusses issues practitioners may face, such as how to deal with IRS claims for estimated taxes, the debtor’s tax obligations (including withholding taxes), responsibility for filing pre-petition returns post-petition, ERC tax credit, and, of course, dischargeability. 

  

Additionally, Diana Santos Johnson presented the 2024 Outstanding Achievement in Pro Bono Award at the Annual Bankruptcy Institute.   

  

Waldrep Wall is very active in the NCBA Bankruptcy Section and holds the following leadership roles:  

  

• James “Jim” Lanik – Vice-Chair of the Bankruptcy Section Council  
• Ciara Rogers – Committee Co-Chair of the Membership Committee  
• Jennifer Lyday – Committee Chair of the Communications Committee  
• Diana Santos Johnson – Committee Co-Chair of the Pro Bono Committee