The Commercial Law League of America's Chicago/Spring Meeting and National Convention Kicks Off On April 29, 2010

Chicago – The Commercial Law League of America will hold its 80th Chicago/Spring Meeting and 116th National Convention (Team Triad: MVPs in their field) in Chicago from April 29-May 2, 2010.

The event, which is one of the organization’s largest annual gatherings, will be held at the Westin Michigan Avenue at 909 N. Michigan Ave., and feature a number of educational and networking opportunities for members of the business and credit community.

Thursday, April 29, 2010 will include:

• Seminars on electronic discovery and the internet. The meeting will open with a program from the CLLA’s newly formed Complex Commercial Litigation Committee on electronic discovery and the interplay between the Internet and the law.
• Jonathan Scott – of Scott & Scott, LLP in Dallas – will offer best practices for the retention and management of electronically stored information (ESI). Grant Blumenthal of Tamari & Blumenthal, LLC in Chicago will discuss how technology and the Internet have impacted the law. 
• Bankruptcy judges Q&A. Conference attendees will be able to take part in a roundtable discussion with local bankruptcy judges. 
• Networking events. The meeting will feature networking events to introduce and connect attendees, including "Draft Day"- Recruiting Your Best Agencies and Attorneys – a round robin style networking event aimed at introducing attorneys and agencies in an effort to create business relationships and increase business opportunities. 
• Annual Welcoming Reception hosted by the Midwest Region.

Friday, April 30, 2010 will include:

• Legal Forwarding Roundtable – What in the World is the Triadic System? The triadic system has been around for over 100 years, yet there are many differing views on what it is, how effective it is as a source of providing legal representation for credit grantors or as a vehicle for distributing accounts to attorneys for collection and what is its future. A panel of agencies, attorneys and law list publishers will discuss these issues and others regarding the triadic system. This is an important educational event that should be attended by all forwarders and receivers.
• A presentation on Uniform Commercial Code Article 9. Professor William Henning of the University of Alabama School of Law will cover the specifics of UCC Article 9, which provides a way for suppliers to secure payment for credit-based debt. Henning also will explain the steps to take to safeguard the integrity of clients’ transactions. 
• The new "Triadic Iron Chef" networking event on Friday evening. CLLA members and their guests will enjoy a fun-filled evening of an "Iron Chef" type competition at the Culinary Studio of Macy’s on State Street. While enjoying cocktails, hor d’oeuvres and wine tasting, teams made up of attorneys, collection agency personnel, and law list representatives will compete in creating a culinary extravaganza. Dinner, prepared by award-winning Macy’s chefs, will follow in a private dining room. Attendees can choose to be seated with friends and associates.  This is a unique opportunity to network and "cook up" more business!

Saturday, May 1, 2010 will include:

• A program on using social media Web sites. The "Welcome to the Social Media World: Use of Social Media Platforms for Attorney Marketing" seminar will explore the basics of using social networking websites such as Twitter and LinkedIn for business marketing.
• Attorneys Manuel Newberger and Mark Aschermann will address a consumer perspective of suing debt negotiators, credit repair organizations and debt elimination companies.  In particular, this program will analyze the impact to the consumer and what it means to their financial health and ability to pay. 
• Everyone has a voice! Eligible voters are encouraged to attend the meeting and cast their ballot- National Elections are contested for the office of Attorney Board Member. 
• Annual Banquet– Celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the Chicago/Spring Meeting and the 116th National Convention.  Make sure to be a part of the wonderful celebration.  

 Online registration for the Chicago meeting opens February 4, 2010. Visit the events section on www.clla.org for more information.

About the CLLA
The CLLA is the nation’s oldest organization of attorneys, collection agencies, judges, accountants, trustees, turn around managers and other experts in credit and finance actively engaged in the field of commercial law, bankruptcy and insolvency. For more information, visit www.clla.org for an interactive network of attorneys, law list publishers and agencies working together to serve the credit community, or call 312.781.2000.