Lawyer Monthly - September 2022

About Alan Hochheiser Alan Hochheiser is a principal at Maurice Wutscher LLP, where he advises and represents businesses, regional and national banks, credit unions, equipment lessors and other lenders, as well as secured and unsecured creditors. Among his accomplishments, he has successfully resolved non-dischargeable claims based upon fraud conversion and breach of fiduciary issues and has successfully handled the assumption of leases in the bankruptcy of a major airline. He currently serves as chair of the ABA Business Law Section’s Consumer Bankruptcy Committee. Maurice Wutscher LLP Maurice Wutscher LLP is a national business and financial services law firm representing Fortune 500 and midsize companies, financial institutions, and other law firms for the successful resolution of their complex legal issues and compliance matters. The firm’s practice areas and areas of expertise include appellate matters, business formation and transactions, class action litigation, commercial, construction, consumer credit and employment litigation, contested bankruptcies and foreclosures, and many others. Contact Alan Hochheiser, Principal Maurice Wutscher LLP 23611 Chagrin Blvd., Suite 207, Beachwood, OH 44122 Tel: +1 216-220-1129 E: ahochheiser@mauricewutscher.com www.mauricewutscher.com communication. It is the key to being a successful attorney. Make sure you are communicating with your client on a regular basis so they are aware of the status of their case. Failing to keep your client updated could spell doom for the attorney-client relationship. You can do an excellent job handling a file for the client, but if they do not know what is happening on a regular basis, all that good work could go to waste. In today’s business environment we know that electronic communications seem to control the day, but picking up the phone and talking to clients always has a major upside. In your own view, how is this sector likely to develop in the latter half of 2022 and in the years to come? Projecting the future of the bankruptcy arena is not an easy task. As I have previously indicated, we are coming off a 30-year low in bankruptcy filings. The unknowns are many. Will the economy avoid a recession or will EXPERT INSIGHT 57 negative economic trends continue or even worsen? Will there continue to be federal government intervention and relief? Will employers be able to find employees to fill positions? Will interest rates continue to rise? Will there be changes to the bankruptcy code that will steer consumers to file bankruptcy or to avoid it? Will the federal government forgive student loans? Will student loans finally be dischargeable in bankruptcy proceedings without a hardship discharge? Will the Supreme Court continue to hear bankruptcy cases and drive future litigation? This is just a sample of the many issues that may influence the future of bankruptcy cases and litigation. What we do know is that bankruptcy filings will continue. Bankruptcy serves as an opportunity for consumers who are struggling to obtain a fresh start. It also allows businesses to reorganise and attempt to thrive in their communities. We also know that litigation within the bankruptcy cases will continue. Maurice Wutscher LLP is well equipped to protect its clients’ interests no matter what type of bankruptcy cases or litigation comes along.

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