ALFN Member Meeting
(ALFN LAW FIRM/FORECLOSURE Trustee & Associate Members only)
SUNDAY, JULY 19 | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | GRAND BALLROOM BCD
Join the ALFN Leadership Team for our annual update on the ALFN’s recent activities, new initiatives, membership opportunities and ways to get more involved. This session is closed, and only available for Law Firm/Foreclosure Trustee Members and Associate Members (service providers) of the ALFN.
client Meeting
(Servicers, investors & GSE’s only)
SUNDAY, JULY 19 | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | AVIARA SALON
Bringing together Mortgage Servicers, Investors and GSE's for a closed-door, peer-to-peer roundtable discussion addressing the latest issues impacting default mortgage servicing. Each year we bring together top servicing executives and now it’s your time to talk amongst yourselves. This session is closed, and only available for Mortgage Servicers, Investors and GSE’s.
Discussion Leader:
Discussion Leader:
- "Nicole" Mi Young Kim, Senior Corporate Counsel, Vice President, U.S. Bancorp
GENERAL SESSION 1
Default Built to Last: The Future of Servicing and Law Firms
MONDAY, JULY 20 | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM | GRAND BALLROOM BCD
Default servicing is entering a transformative national phase—one defined by consolidation, heightened regulatory and investor scrutiny, workforce disruption, rising cyber and compliance risk, and accelerating technology demands. Against this backdrop, servicers are re‑evaluating attorney networks, law firms are confronting pressure to scale or specialize, and long‑standing operational models are being challenged in real time.
This session brings servicer and law firm leaders together for a candid, forward‑looking discussion about what the default servicing industry is becoming—not what it has been. Panelists will examine the growing trend of servicers downsizing attorney networks in favor of fewer, larger multi‑state firms; the strategic tradeoffs between consolidation and state‑specialized expertise; and how evolving expectations around consistency, transparency, and integration are reshaping servicing models nationwide.
The conversation will explore how default law firms are expected to change over the next five years, including the infrastructure, compliance frameworks, staffing models, and technology platforms required to remain viable at scale. Topics will include rising costs, workforce pressures, the impact of automation and AI on roles and headcount, and the evolution of default attorneys from file‑level processors to risk managers and strategic partners. Servicers and firms will also discuss where friction is emerging, where alignment is critical, and how deeper collaboration can support sustainable, compliant operations.
Rather than speculating about disruption in the abstract, this session focuses on real‑world changes already underway—and the strategic decisions firms and servicers must make today to remain relevant tomorrow. Designed for leaders and decision‑makers, this panel opens an honest industry‑level dialogue about consolidation, compliance, technology, and scale, offering practical insight into what it truly means to be “built to last” in the future of default servicing.
Moderator:
Speakers:
This session brings servicer and law firm leaders together for a candid, forward‑looking discussion about what the default servicing industry is becoming—not what it has been. Panelists will examine the growing trend of servicers downsizing attorney networks in favor of fewer, larger multi‑state firms; the strategic tradeoffs between consolidation and state‑specialized expertise; and how evolving expectations around consistency, transparency, and integration are reshaping servicing models nationwide.
The conversation will explore how default law firms are expected to change over the next five years, including the infrastructure, compliance frameworks, staffing models, and technology platforms required to remain viable at scale. Topics will include rising costs, workforce pressures, the impact of automation and AI on roles and headcount, and the evolution of default attorneys from file‑level processors to risk managers and strategic partners. Servicers and firms will also discuss where friction is emerging, where alignment is critical, and how deeper collaboration can support sustainable, compliant operations.
Rather than speculating about disruption in the abstract, this session focuses on real‑world changes already underway—and the strategic decisions firms and servicers must make today to remain relevant tomorrow. Designed for leaders and decision‑makers, this panel opens an honest industry‑level dialogue about consolidation, compliance, technology, and scale, offering practical insight into what it truly means to be “built to last” in the future of default servicing.
Moderator:
- Andrea Tromberg, Esq., Managing Member, Tromberg, Miller, Morris & Partners, PLLC
Speakers:
- Ann Dukette, SVP Default Solutions, Rocktop.io
- Bryce Fendall, VP Default, Statebridge Company, LLC
- Cheryl Marchant, SVP, Default Servicing, Freedom Mortgage
- Heidi Carey, Esq., Partner, Riley, Pope & Laney
- James Clarke, Esq., Senior Executive Counsel, Orlans Law Group
- John Crane, Esq., Managing Partner, Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC
- Samantha Miller, Attorney Performance Manager, Rocket Mortgage
GENERAL SESSION 2
Keynote Speaker Presentation
Christopher Connors
The Human Edge in Negotiation: Communicating with Clarity, Confidence, and Emotional Intelligence
MONDAY, JULY 20 | 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM | GRAND BALLROOM BCD
Thank You Keynote Speaker Sponsor - Randall S. Miller & Associates
Thank You Keynote Speaker Sponsor - Randall S. Miller & Associates
Christopher will speak about negotiations and communications through the lens of emotional intelligence, influence, and relationship-driven leadership. Christopher uses his Connection Success Formula to show your audience how to communicate with clarity, read people accurately, stay composed under pressure, and build trust even with complex matters. Christopher will focus on how strong negotiators elevate both results and relationships by understanding the human dynamics behind every important conversation, and how to use Empathy, Candor, Authenticity, and Assertiveness to create mutually beneficial outcomes.
This keynote will deliver practical insights on how to lead difficult conversations with confidence, negotiate without unnecessary friction, balance advocacy with empathy, and communicate in ways that reduce defensiveness while strengthening credibility. Christopher weaves in storytelling, and explores how connection, listening, tone, and emotional discipline can become competitive advantages in environments where trust, alignment, and long-term partnerships matter most.
This keynote will give your attendees an energizing keynote experience, and also meaningful tools they can apply immediately in negotiations, client conversations, internal collaboration, and leadership moments to help them communicate at their best. This is built on self-awareness, managing emotions and learning to empathize and build the connection with authenticity. Every attendee will leave with practical, easy-to-use tools they can put to work immediately — in negotiations, client conversations, and beyond.
Inspirational, practical, interactive and with some fun mixed in, this keynote will encourage and prepare you to communicate effectively with purpose. Based on the research from his books The Champion Leader and Emotional Intelligence for the Modern Leader, and thousands of hours of coaching and consulting conversations with Fortune 500 leaders and employees, Christopher provides practical tools, stories and easy-to-implement communications and negotiation techniques you can use right away.
Learning Outcomes:
This keynote will deliver practical insights on how to lead difficult conversations with confidence, negotiate without unnecessary friction, balance advocacy with empathy, and communicate in ways that reduce defensiveness while strengthening credibility. Christopher weaves in storytelling, and explores how connection, listening, tone, and emotional discipline can become competitive advantages in environments where trust, alignment, and long-term partnerships matter most.
This keynote will give your attendees an energizing keynote experience, and also meaningful tools they can apply immediately in negotiations, client conversations, internal collaboration, and leadership moments to help them communicate at their best. This is built on self-awareness, managing emotions and learning to empathize and build the connection with authenticity. Every attendee will leave with practical, easy-to-use tools they can put to work immediately — in negotiations, client conversations, and beyond.
Inspirational, practical, interactive and with some fun mixed in, this keynote will encourage and prepare you to communicate effectively with purpose. Based on the research from his books The Champion Leader and Emotional Intelligence for the Modern Leader, and thousands of hours of coaching and consulting conversations with Fortune 500 leaders and employees, Christopher provides practical tools, stories and easy-to-implement communications and negotiation techniques you can use right away.
Learning Outcomes:
- Actionable steps you can take on negotiating effectively with emotional intelligence
- A clear understanding of how each individual can positively impact both colleagues and clients by connecting in an authentic and empathetic manner
- Inspirational examples of leadership that you can emulate where you are today.
- Practical leadership tools and communications techniques founded on belonging, trust and psychological safety
- A clear understanding of improving your self-awareness and self-management to become a more emotionally intelligent professional
- Christopher’s Connection Success Formula to build connection, self-awareness and the ability to individualize the way you communicate to each individual.
GENERAL SEssion 3
Cultivating a Culture of Growth: Developing Pathways to Leadership
TUESDAY, JULY 21 | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM | GRAND BALLROOM BCD
Strong organizations are built deliberately—and so are strong leaders. This session explores how law firms, servicers, and industry partners can intentionally cultivate leadership at all levels by creating clear, transparent pathways for professional growth and development.
Panelists will discuss why leadership development matters, how a lack of career clarity affects engagement and retention, and what effective growth pathways look like across different organizational models. The conversation will examine how leaders can align individual development with team and organizational goals through measurable objectives, meaningful feedback, mentorship, skill‑building, and internal mobility. Attendees will also explore various forms of advancement—including traditional leadership tracks, lateral moves, specialization, and project‑based growth—and why transparency around expectations and progression is critical to sustaining motivation and performance.
Beyond career ladders, this session addresses the human dynamics of leadership: credibility, influence, voice, and decision‑making. Panelists will share real‑world experiences navigating hierarchy, communication styles, and organizational norms, highlighting how inclusive leadership practices strengthen culture, accountability, and outcomes—especially during periods of growth, change, or merger integration.
Designed to spark practical reflection and candid dialogue, this session is both a leadership primer and a strategic catalyst. Attendees will leave with concrete ideas they can bring back to their organizations—whether they are building leadership programs from scratch, refining existing frameworks, or simply looking for better ways to develop, engage, and retain their talent. In an industry where leadership development is often overlooked, this session creates space for an honest, necessary conversation about how we grow the next generation of leaders—and the cultures that sustain them.
Moderator:
Speakers:
Panelists will discuss why leadership development matters, how a lack of career clarity affects engagement and retention, and what effective growth pathways look like across different organizational models. The conversation will examine how leaders can align individual development with team and organizational goals through measurable objectives, meaningful feedback, mentorship, skill‑building, and internal mobility. Attendees will also explore various forms of advancement—including traditional leadership tracks, lateral moves, specialization, and project‑based growth—and why transparency around expectations and progression is critical to sustaining motivation and performance.
Beyond career ladders, this session addresses the human dynamics of leadership: credibility, influence, voice, and decision‑making. Panelists will share real‑world experiences navigating hierarchy, communication styles, and organizational norms, highlighting how inclusive leadership practices strengthen culture, accountability, and outcomes—especially during periods of growth, change, or merger integration.
Designed to spark practical reflection and candid dialogue, this session is both a leadership primer and a strategic catalyst. Attendees will leave with concrete ideas they can bring back to their organizations—whether they are building leadership programs from scratch, refining existing frameworks, or simply looking for better ways to develop, engage, and retain their talent. In an industry where leadership development is often overlooked, this session creates space for an honest, necessary conversation about how we grow the next generation of leaders—and the cultures that sustain them.
Moderator:
- January Taylor, Esq., Managing Partner, McMichael Taylor Gray
Speakers:
- Cara Hardy, VP, Servicing, Rocket Mortgage
- Debbie Foster, Chief Executive Officer, Affinity Consulting Group
- Hilton (Hutch) Hutchens, Esq., Co-Managing Partner, Foundation Legal Group
- Laura Noyes, Esq., Partner, Friedman Vartolo
- Samantha Garcia, Senior Default Leader, Towne Mortgage
breakout sessions
TUESDAY, JULY 21 | 10:15 AM - 3:00 PM | GRAND BALLROOM A, GRAND BALLROOM BCD, AVIARA SALON
BREAKOUT SESSION 1
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Grand Ballroom A
Beyond the Buzzwords: Real‑World ANSWERS to the Mortgage Industry’s Next Disruption
The mortgage industry is entering a period of layered disruption driven not by a single technology, but by the convergence of economic pressure, workforce challenges, evolving borrower behavior, and rapid technological change—AI included. This forward‑looking panel brings together servicers and default counsel to explore what these disruptions actually mean in practice, separating headlines and hype from real, operational impact.
Panelists will examine how emerging technologies are influencing staffing models, hiring, training, quality control, compliance, and cost expectations, alongside a candid discussion of AI’s broader economic implications. Topics will include potential job displacement (including higher‑paying roles), how employment shifts affect default volume and housing stability, and what these changes mean for servicers, law firms, and the default ecosystem as a whole.
Rather than offering tactical “how‑to” solutions that quickly become obsolete, this session focuses on strategic concepts and decision frameworks attendees can take back to their organizations. The discussion will address where adoption is already happening, where firms are struggling to implement and govern new tools, and how servicers and counsel are adapting to concerns around quality, transparency, reputational risk, and future fee pressure as efficiencies increase.
Grounded in real‑world experience and candid dialogue, this session provides a practical economic and operational outlook on what’s coming next—how disruption is reshaping default operations today, and how industry participants can prepare for what’s ahead without relying on buzzwords or speculation.
Moderator:
Speakers:
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Grand Ballroom A
Beyond the Buzzwords: Real‑World ANSWERS to the Mortgage Industry’s Next Disruption
The mortgage industry is entering a period of layered disruption driven not by a single technology, but by the convergence of economic pressure, workforce challenges, evolving borrower behavior, and rapid technological change—AI included. This forward‑looking panel brings together servicers and default counsel to explore what these disruptions actually mean in practice, separating headlines and hype from real, operational impact.
Panelists will examine how emerging technologies are influencing staffing models, hiring, training, quality control, compliance, and cost expectations, alongside a candid discussion of AI’s broader economic implications. Topics will include potential job displacement (including higher‑paying roles), how employment shifts affect default volume and housing stability, and what these changes mean for servicers, law firms, and the default ecosystem as a whole.
Rather than offering tactical “how‑to” solutions that quickly become obsolete, this session focuses on strategic concepts and decision frameworks attendees can take back to their organizations. The discussion will address where adoption is already happening, where firms are struggling to implement and govern new tools, and how servicers and counsel are adapting to concerns around quality, transparency, reputational risk, and future fee pressure as efficiencies increase.
Grounded in real‑world experience and candid dialogue, this session provides a practical economic and operational outlook on what’s coming next—how disruption is reshaping default operations today, and how industry participants can prepare for what’s ahead without relying on buzzwords or speculation.
Moderator:
- Melissa Porter, Esq., Chair – Foreclosure Practice Group, LOGS Legal Group
Speakers:
- Beth Northrop-Day, Esq., VP, Assistant General Counsel, U.S. Bank
- Brian Flaherty, CEO, Global Strategic
- Jenna Rogers, Esq., Attorney Director, Client Engagement, MDK
- Nolan Turner, Managing Director, Carrington
BREAKOUT SESSION 2
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Grand Ballroom BCD
Bankruptcy Update 2026: New Rules, Emerging Case Law, and Practical Impacts for Mortgage Creditors
Significant amendments to the Bankruptcy Rules took effect in December 2025, and while servicers, trustees, and attorneys prepared for these changes in advance, their real‑world application has raised important questions around new procedures, forms, and the determination of mortgage status during bankruptcy cases. At the same time, bankruptcy law continues to evolve through new court decisions and emerging practical challenges that directly impact default operations.
This panel brings together experienced practitioners to distill the most consequential developments shaping mortgage servicing in bankruptcy today. The discussion will include an update on the 2025 Bankruptcy Rule changes and their impact to date, unresolved questions surrounding implementation, proposed solutions, recent case law affecting the treatment of mortgages in bankruptcy, potential implications from the settlement of In re Kwaitkowski, and emerging issues such as alternate energy resources on residential property and their treatment in bankruptcy. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how these regulatory, procedural, and case‑driven developments intersect—and what they mean for day‑to‑day practice.
Moderator:
Speakers:
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Grand Ballroom BCD
Bankruptcy Update 2026: New Rules, Emerging Case Law, and Practical Impacts for Mortgage Creditors
Significant amendments to the Bankruptcy Rules took effect in December 2025, and while servicers, trustees, and attorneys prepared for these changes in advance, their real‑world application has raised important questions around new procedures, forms, and the determination of mortgage status during bankruptcy cases. At the same time, bankruptcy law continues to evolve through new court decisions and emerging practical challenges that directly impact default operations.
This panel brings together experienced practitioners to distill the most consequential developments shaping mortgage servicing in bankruptcy today. The discussion will include an update on the 2025 Bankruptcy Rule changes and their impact to date, unresolved questions surrounding implementation, proposed solutions, recent case law affecting the treatment of mortgages in bankruptcy, potential implications from the settlement of In re Kwaitkowski, and emerging issues such as alternate energy resources on residential property and their treatment in bankruptcy. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how these regulatory, procedural, and case‑driven developments intersect—and what they mean for day‑to‑day practice.
Moderator:
- Christopher DeNardo, Esq., Managing Attorney – Pennsylvania, Diaz Anselmo
Speakers:
- Beverly Burden, Esq., Chapter 13 Trustee, E.D. Kentucky
- Marcus Pratt, Esq., Attorney, Korde & Associates
- Michael McCormick, Esq., Senior Partner - Bankruptcy Department, McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLP
- Natalie Womack, SVP, Director of Lending Operations, Simmons Bank
BREAKOUT SESSION 3
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Aviara Salon
Commercial Loan Defaults: Unique Risks, Remedies, and Creditor Considerations
Commercial loan defaults present a distinct and often more complex set of challenges than residential defaults, requiring lenders, servicers, and counsel to navigate a broader range of legal, operational, and risk‑management issues. This session explores key considerations when the collateral is commercial property, focusing on the unique risks, remedies, and decision points creditors face throughout the default lifecycle.
Panelists will discuss practical issues such as the use of receivers, the impact of leases and tenant rights, land‑use considerations, Phase I environmental impact studies, guarantor litigation, and specific SBA requirements that can significantly influence strategy and outcomes. The conversation will also address fix‑and‑flip and hard‑money lending structures, highlighting how these loans present heightened risk and distinct enforcement challenges in default scenarios.
Designed for both servicers and counsel, this session provides a comprehensive, real‑world overview of commercial default dynamics and offers insights to help creditors better assess risk, protect their positions, and navigate enforcement options with greater clarity and confidence.
Moderator:
Speakers:
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Aviara Salon
Commercial Loan Defaults: Unique Risks, Remedies, and Creditor Considerations
Commercial loan defaults present a distinct and often more complex set of challenges than residential defaults, requiring lenders, servicers, and counsel to navigate a broader range of legal, operational, and risk‑management issues. This session explores key considerations when the collateral is commercial property, focusing on the unique risks, remedies, and decision points creditors face throughout the default lifecycle.
Panelists will discuss practical issues such as the use of receivers, the impact of leases and tenant rights, land‑use considerations, Phase I environmental impact studies, guarantor litigation, and specific SBA requirements that can significantly influence strategy and outcomes. The conversation will also address fix‑and‑flip and hard‑money lending structures, highlighting how these loans present heightened risk and distinct enforcement challenges in default scenarios.
Designed for both servicers and counsel, this session provides a comprehensive, real‑world overview of commercial default dynamics and offers insights to help creditors better assess risk, protect their positions, and navigate enforcement options with greater clarity and confidence.
Moderator:
- Deanne Stodden, Esq., Partner, Messner Reeves
Speakers:
- Blake Strautins, Esq., Managing Partner, Kluever Law Group
- Mark Cronenwett, Esq., Partner, Lewis Brisbois
- Molly Chapman, Esq., Partner, Davidson Fink
BREAKOUT SESSION 4
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Grand Ballroom A
Technology Innovation in Default Servicing: Breaking Down Barriers Between Servicers and Attorneys
Default servicing is growing more complex, and both servicers and attorney firms face mounting pressure to operate faster, more accurately, and within increasingly strict compliance expectations. At the heart of that challenge is a shared question: how does the industry build the data infrastructure, workflows, and standards needed to keep pace?
This session brings together a practitioner-driven panel of servicers and attorney firm representatives for a candid, experience-based conversation about the realities of default servicing today. Drawing on real-world scenarios from both foreclosure and bankruptcy workflows, panelists will explore where data exchange breaks down, what the downstream consequences look like when it does, and what meaningful progress toward industry-wide standards would actually require.
The conversation will move beyond identifying problems to examining what good collaboration looks like in practice — and what technology has delivered, what it has fallen short on, and what the industry still needs it to do.
What Attendees Can Expect to Walk Away With
Moderator:
Speakers:
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Grand Ballroom A
Technology Innovation in Default Servicing: Breaking Down Barriers Between Servicers and Attorneys
Default servicing is growing more complex, and both servicers and attorney firms face mounting pressure to operate faster, more accurately, and within increasingly strict compliance expectations. At the heart of that challenge is a shared question: how does the industry build the data infrastructure, workflows, and standards needed to keep pace?
This session brings together a practitioner-driven panel of servicers and attorney firm representatives for a candid, experience-based conversation about the realities of default servicing today. Drawing on real-world scenarios from both foreclosure and bankruptcy workflows, panelists will explore where data exchange breaks down, what the downstream consequences look like when it does, and what meaningful progress toward industry-wide standards would actually require.
The conversation will move beyond identifying problems to examining what good collaboration looks like in practice — and what technology has delivered, what it has fallen short on, and what the industry still needs it to do.
What Attendees Can Expect to Walk Away With
- A clearer understanding of where the most significant operational and compliance challenges exist today across both foreclosure and bankruptcy workflows
- Honest perspective from servicers and attorney firms on the data gaps and manual workarounds that create the most risk
- A framework for thinking about what industry-wide standardization could realistically look like — and what has historically stood in the way
- Practical takeaways and conversation starters they can bring back to their own organizations
Moderator:
- Dan Israelson, Manager, Product Strategy – Bankruptcy/Foreclosure, ICE Mortgage Technology
Speakers:
- Ashley Misener, SVP Foreclosure, M&T Bank
- Jeremy Lipford, SVP Default Operations & Client Services, Korde & Associates
- Kaye Weathers, VP Foreclosure, Default Support, & Property Preservation, Arvest Bank
- Randy Miller, Esq., President, Randall S. Miller & Associates
- Rob Pajon, SVP Client Product Management, a360inc
BREAKOUT SESSION 5
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Grand Ballroom BCD
Navigating the Insurance Crisis: The Impact of Rising Premiums, Cancellations, and Mortgage Payment Strain
Valuation plays a critical—and often misunderstood—role in bankruptcy cases involving real property, directly influencing creditor strategy, recovery, and outcomes. This session offers a practical, end‑to‑end examination of the multiple valuation methodologies that arise across foreclosure and bankruptcy, and what mortgage creditors should be aware of when a property becomes part of the bankruptcy estate.
The panel will begin by breaking down common valuation types used in practice, including foreclosure appraisals, auditor valuations, broker price opinions (BPOs), and interior versus exterior full appraisals. Panelists will then apply those valuation concepts across the full spectrum of bankruptcy chapters, examining how property is treated in Chapter 7, Chapter 13, Chapter 11, and Chapter 12 cases, including cramdowns, debtor‑initiated sales, and trustee‑managed sales.
Attendees will gain insight into how Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 trustees approach valuation differently, how and when cramdowns are applied, and what rights and options creditors have when loan terms are modified or property is sold out of the estate. Designed to be highly practical, this session equips servicers and attorneys with a clearer understanding of how valuation drives bankruptcy outcomes and how to better protect creditor interests in real‑world scenarios.
Moderator:
Speakers:
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Grand Ballroom BCD
Navigating the Insurance Crisis: The Impact of Rising Premiums, Cancellations, and Mortgage Payment Strain
Valuation plays a critical—and often misunderstood—role in bankruptcy cases involving real property, directly influencing creditor strategy, recovery, and outcomes. This session offers a practical, end‑to‑end examination of the multiple valuation methodologies that arise across foreclosure and bankruptcy, and what mortgage creditors should be aware of when a property becomes part of the bankruptcy estate.
The panel will begin by breaking down common valuation types used in practice, including foreclosure appraisals, auditor valuations, broker price opinions (BPOs), and interior versus exterior full appraisals. Panelists will then apply those valuation concepts across the full spectrum of bankruptcy chapters, examining how property is treated in Chapter 7, Chapter 13, Chapter 11, and Chapter 12 cases, including cramdowns, debtor‑initiated sales, and trustee‑managed sales.
Attendees will gain insight into how Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 trustees approach valuation differently, how and when cramdowns are applied, and what rights and options creditors have when loan terms are modified or property is sold out of the estate. Designed to be highly practical, this session equips servicers and attorneys with a clearer understanding of how valuation drives bankruptcy outcomes and how to better protect creditor interests in real‑world scenarios.
Moderator:
- LeAnn Covey, Esq., Attorney, McCabe, Weisberg & Conway, LLC
Speakers:
- Hilary Bonial, Esq., Managing Director, Bonial & Associates
- Keri Ebeck, Esq., Member, Metz Lewis Brodman Must O’Keefe
- Kris Zilberstein, Esq., Bankruptcy Attorney, Liepold Harrison & Associates
- Leslie Gladstone, Esq., Chapter 7 Trustee, Southern District of California
BREAKOUT SESSION 6
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Aviara Salon
Practical Strategies for Navigating Today’s Judicial Foreclosure Challenges
Judicial foreclosure continues to evolve as courts, rules, and defense tactics shift, often creating delays and inefficiencies for servicers and law firms alike. This session is designed to move beyond high‑level discussion and focus squarely on practical, real‑world strategies practitioners are using today to navigate—and streamline—the judicial foreclosure process.
Panelists will share actionable “life hacks” and tactical rule applications that can be leveraged to accelerate timelines, increase compliance pressure, and reduce friction in contested cases. Rather than reciting statutes or procedural rules, the discussion centers on how those rules are being strategically used in practice, including examples of targeted disclosures, motion practice, and case‑management techniques that force earlier engagement and accountability from opposing parties. A Florida‑based case study will illustrate how tactical compliance tools can be effectively deployed to overcome common defense roadblocks, with insights applicable across judicial states.
This session is intentionally practical and solutions‑driven, offering attendees concrete ideas they can take back to their organizations to improve outcomes, adapt to recent changes, and operate more efficiently within today’s judicial foreclosure environment.
Moderator:
Speakers:
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Aviara Salon
Practical Strategies for Navigating Today’s Judicial Foreclosure Challenges
Judicial foreclosure continues to evolve as courts, rules, and defense tactics shift, often creating delays and inefficiencies for servicers and law firms alike. This session is designed to move beyond high‑level discussion and focus squarely on practical, real‑world strategies practitioners are using today to navigate—and streamline—the judicial foreclosure process.
Panelists will share actionable “life hacks” and tactical rule applications that can be leveraged to accelerate timelines, increase compliance pressure, and reduce friction in contested cases. Rather than reciting statutes or procedural rules, the discussion centers on how those rules are being strategically used in practice, including examples of targeted disclosures, motion practice, and case‑management techniques that force earlier engagement and accountability from opposing parties. A Florida‑based case study will illustrate how tactical compliance tools can be effectively deployed to overcome common defense roadblocks, with insights applicable across judicial states.
This session is intentionally practical and solutions‑driven, offering attendees concrete ideas they can take back to their organizations to improve outcomes, adapt to recent changes, and operate more efficiently within today’s judicial foreclosure environment.
Moderator:
- Steve Tran, Esq., Partner-Owner, eXL Legal
Speakers:
- Carolyn Taylor, Esq., Partner, Hughes Watters Askanase
- Chris Iaria, Esq., Illinois Managing Attorney, Halliday, Watkins & Mann
- David Case, Esq., Partner, Fein Such Law Group
- Jahné Campbell, Foreclosure Portfolio Manager, AD Mortgage
- Shannon Tomasso, VP, Cenlar FSB
BREAKOUT SESSION 7
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Grand Ballroom A
Meetings That Matter: A Leadership Framework for Focused Decision‑Making
Meetings can be powerful tools for progress—or costly distractions that stall momentum and dilute accountability. This leadership‑focused session explores how attorneys, servicers, and managers can transform meetings from unfocused conversations into disciplined decision‑making forums that drive real outcomes.
Panelists will discuss practical frameworks for running effective meetings, including clear issue identification, defined resolution strategies, and firm deadlines for action. The conversation will cover best practices for meeting management across both in‑person and virtual environments, such as setting agendas with purpose, avoiding unnecessary meetings, blocking calendars for focused work, and creating structured time for email and follow‑up tasks. The panel will also address how emerging AI tools and workflow technologies can be used to improve meeting efficiency, documentation, and follow‑through.
Designed with leadership development in mind, this session recognizes that attorneys are often asked to lead teams without formal management training, which can lead to inefficiency and misalignment. Attendees will gain practical insights into conveying management objectives clearly, keeping discussions on track, and ensuring meetings support—not hinder—the successful execution of organizational goals. This is a holistic, real‑world discussion on leading meetings with intention, discipline, and impact.
Moderator:
Confirmed Speakers:
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Grand Ballroom A
Meetings That Matter: A Leadership Framework for Focused Decision‑Making
Meetings can be powerful tools for progress—or costly distractions that stall momentum and dilute accountability. This leadership‑focused session explores how attorneys, servicers, and managers can transform meetings from unfocused conversations into disciplined decision‑making forums that drive real outcomes.
Panelists will discuss practical frameworks for running effective meetings, including clear issue identification, defined resolution strategies, and firm deadlines for action. The conversation will cover best practices for meeting management across both in‑person and virtual environments, such as setting agendas with purpose, avoiding unnecessary meetings, blocking calendars for focused work, and creating structured time for email and follow‑up tasks. The panel will also address how emerging AI tools and workflow technologies can be used to improve meeting efficiency, documentation, and follow‑through.
Designed with leadership development in mind, this session recognizes that attorneys are often asked to lead teams without formal management training, which can lead to inefficiency and misalignment. Attendees will gain practical insights into conveying management objectives clearly, keeping discussions on track, and ensuring meetings support—not hinder—the successful execution of organizational goals. This is a holistic, real‑world discussion on leading meetings with intention, discipline, and impact.
Moderator:
- Graham Arceneaux, Esq., Owner/Managing Attorney, Graham Arceneaux & Allen
Confirmed Speakers:
- Danette Baldacci, Esq., Managing Partner, IDEA Law Group
- Jill Jenkins, Esq., Managing Shareholder, KML Law Group
- Jim Timberlake, Esq., President, Baer Timberlake
BREAKOUT SESSION 8
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Grand Ballroom BCD
Current Developments in Creditors’ Rights & Mortgage Servicing
The regulatory, operational, and litigation landscape for mortgage servicing continues to shift rapidly, creating new challenges and compliance considerations for creditors nationwide. This timely panel will examine several of the most impactful and emerging issues currently affecting creditors’ rights and mortgage servicing operations.
Panelists will address recent developments involving oil and gas rights and easement issues, UCC lien considerations, client deficiencies, client overbids, FinCEN compliance concerns, and evolving requirements related to CWCOT and CFPB oversight. The discussion will focus on how these issues are presenting in real‑world cases, where risk and exposure commonly arise, and what creditors and their counsel should be monitoring as enforcement expectations continue to evolve.
Designed as a fast‑paced, issue‑focused session, this panel provides attendees with practical insight into the latest trends and developments shaping today’s mortgage servicing environment, helping creditors identify emerging risks and adjust strategies in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.
Moderator:
Confirmed Speakers:
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Grand Ballroom BCD
Current Developments in Creditors’ Rights & Mortgage Servicing
The regulatory, operational, and litigation landscape for mortgage servicing continues to shift rapidly, creating new challenges and compliance considerations for creditors nationwide. This timely panel will examine several of the most impactful and emerging issues currently affecting creditors’ rights and mortgage servicing operations.
Panelists will address recent developments involving oil and gas rights and easement issues, UCC lien considerations, client deficiencies, client overbids, FinCEN compliance concerns, and evolving requirements related to CWCOT and CFPB oversight. The discussion will focus on how these issues are presenting in real‑world cases, where risk and exposure commonly arise, and what creditors and their counsel should be monitoring as enforcement expectations continue to evolve.
Designed as a fast‑paced, issue‑focused session, this panel provides attendees with practical insight into the latest trends and developments shaping today’s mortgage servicing environment, helping creditors identify emerging risks and adjust strategies in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.
Moderator:
- Brian Goldberg, Esq., Partner, Gross Polowy
Confirmed Speakers:
- Brennan Ferguson, Esq., Managing Partner – Maryland and DC Division, Brock & Scott, PLLC
- Brett Beehler, Esq., Partner, Rosenberg & Associates
- Chris Picard, Esq., Principal, Neubert, Pepe & Monteith
- Joseph Camillo, Jr., Esq., Managing Partner – New England, ALAW
BREAKOUT SESSION 9
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Aviara Salon
Leading Under Pressure: Mental Health, Resilience, and Sustainability in Legal & Servicing Leadership
Leadership in the legal and mortgage servicing industries is increasingly defined by sustained pressure—high‑stakes decisions, constant deadlines, regulatory scrutiny, and the responsibility of leading teams through ongoing change. This session focuses on the often‑overlooked human side of leadership: mental health, resilience, and the long‑term sustainability of those operating in demanding professional environments.
Panelists will engage in a candid discussion about the realities leaders face when managing stress, burnout, and emotional fatigue—both personally and within their teams—while maintaining performance, accountability, and professionalism. The conversation will explore how effective leaders recognize pressure points, build resilient cultures, and create systems that support well‑being without sacrificing standards or results.
Rather than offering abstract wellness theories, this session emphasizes practical leadership awareness, real‑world experiences, and mindset shifts that help leaders remain effective over the long term. Attendees will gain insight into how intentional leadership choices can strengthen team engagement, improve decision‑making under pressure, and promote sustainable success in an industry where intensity is not occasional, but constant.
Moderator:
Speakers:
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Aviara Salon
Leading Under Pressure: Mental Health, Resilience, and Sustainability in Legal & Servicing Leadership
Leadership in the legal and mortgage servicing industries is increasingly defined by sustained pressure—high‑stakes decisions, constant deadlines, regulatory scrutiny, and the responsibility of leading teams through ongoing change. This session focuses on the often‑overlooked human side of leadership: mental health, resilience, and the long‑term sustainability of those operating in demanding professional environments.
Panelists will engage in a candid discussion about the realities leaders face when managing stress, burnout, and emotional fatigue—both personally and within their teams—while maintaining performance, accountability, and professionalism. The conversation will explore how effective leaders recognize pressure points, build resilient cultures, and create systems that support well‑being without sacrificing standards or results.
Rather than offering abstract wellness theories, this session emphasizes practical leadership awareness, real‑world experiences, and mindset shifts that help leaders remain effective over the long term. Attendees will gain insight into how intentional leadership choices can strengthen team engagement, improve decision‑making under pressure, and promote sustainable success in an industry where intensity is not occasional, but constant.
Moderator:
- Caren Castle, Esq., Senior Managing Attorney, The Mortgage Law Firm
Speakers:
- Courtney Milewski, SVP Attorney Oversight, M&T Bank
- Holly Baya, Business Development Director, iMailTracking
Annual awards luncheon
TUESDAY, JULY 21 | 12:30 PM - 1:45 PM | GRAND BALLROOM BCD
Thank You Awards Luncheon Sponsor - a360inc & ProVest
Thank You Awards Luncheon Sponsor - a360inc & ProVest
ALFN will be presenting several awards, including the ALFN Industry Achievement Award and the ALFN JPEG Picture the Future Award. We will also be presenting the ALFN Member Service Award to the 2 Law Firm/Foreclosure Trustee Member Companies and the 2 Associate Member Companies who have had the highest level of support and volunteerism in the ALFN over the past year.
general session 4
The Housing Economy, Foreclosure Market Updates & Trends to Watch
TUESDAY, JULY 21 | 3:15 PM - 4:30 PM | GRAND BALLROOM BCD
As economic conditions, housing affordability, and borrower behavior continue to evolve, understanding where the housing and default markets are headed is more critical than ever. This panel brings together leading economists and industry experts to deliver a forward‑looking analysis of the U.S. economy and the key housing trends shaping mortgage performance and default activity.
Panelists will examine current and emerging indicators including mortgage delinquencies, equity positions, affordability pressures, interest rate dynamics, and inventory trends—and how these factors are expected to influence default volume, foreclosure activity, and distressed asset disposition in the months ahead. The discussion will also explore how market conditions are impacting loss‑mitigation strategies, foreclosure timelines, and investor and servicer approaches to managing properties in the foreclosure pipeline.
Grounded in data‑driven insight and real‑world market experience, this session provides attendees with a clear view of what’s happening now, what signals matter most, and which trends creditors, servicers, and default professionals should be watching as conditions continue to shift.
Moderator:
Speakers:
Panelists will examine current and emerging indicators including mortgage delinquencies, equity positions, affordability pressures, interest rate dynamics, and inventory trends—and how these factors are expected to influence default volume, foreclosure activity, and distressed asset disposition in the months ahead. The discussion will also explore how market conditions are impacting loss‑mitigation strategies, foreclosure timelines, and investor and servicer approaches to managing properties in the foreclosure pipeline.
Grounded in data‑driven insight and real‑world market experience, this session provides attendees with a clear view of what’s happening now, what signals matter most, and which trends creditors, servicers, and default professionals should be watching as conditions continue to shift.
Moderator:
- Rick Sharga, President & CEO, CJ Patrick Company
Speakers:
- Daren Blomquist, Vice President of Market Economics, Auction.com
- Mark Fleming, Ph.D., SVP, Chief Economist, First American
- Mike Fratantoni, Ph.D., Chief Economist & SVP, Research & Industry Technology, Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA)
CLE Credit for this Event Provided By:
