Jim Haller

New NACBA Webinar in November! Register Today

NACBA is excited to kick off a new month with another new and informative webinar, presented by James J. Haller, Esq. on Thursday, November 9th. In this webinar, “How to Introduce an Appraiser’s Testimony and Appraisal as Evidence in Bankruptcy Court,” a number of relevant issues and topics will be discussed such as:

When is it necessary to present residential valuation in a bankruptcy proceeding?
Finding a good appraiser.
Advice to clients when meeting the appraiser.
Review of appraisals/discovery.
Preparing the foundation to allow your appraiser’s opinion
Preparing the foundation to admit the appraisal.

Registration is open! The cost is $25 for NACBA Members and $75 for Non-Members. As always we encourage you to join NACBA if you are not a member so that you can take advantage of member pricing and benefits that are an invaluable personal and professional investment!

Register: HERE

NACBA Announces Resignation of Jim Haller & Election of John Colwell as President

NACBA’s Board of Directors announces that NACBA President, James J. “Jim” Haller, has tendered his resignation, as a member of NACBA’s Board of Directors and as its President. The Board has filled the vacancy in the office of President with the unanimous election of current Board member and Vice President John Colwell (San Diego, CA) as our new President.

The Board deeply appreciates Jim Haller’s tireless efforts on behalf of the organization over many years. His passion for advocacy, education, and litigation have been contagious, and his leadership has helped keep NACBA moving in a positive direction.

With John Colwell’s election as President, the Board also unanimously elected Board member Ed Boltz (Durham, NC) to fill the Vice President’s position. In addition, due to Board member Pam Stewart’s resignation as NACBA’s Secretary, the Board has unanimously elected Board member Eugene “Gene” Melchionne (Waterbury, CT) as our new Secretary. Pam will also continue to serve as a Board member.

NACBA’s bylaws (section 4.8) provide that vacancies on the Board may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the then members of the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors, as it considers filling the remainder of the term (expiring April 2018) for the Board seat vacated by Jim Haller, is now inviting letters of interest from NACBA Members who are interested in serving as a Director.

The board is responsible for establishing policies and standing rules of NACBA, and for overseeing the affairs and budget of the association. The board meets approximately 12 times per year via teleconference (90-120 mins) and two in-person meetings (Annual Convention and Board Retreat). Please submit a letter (no more than 350 words) of interest by email to admin@nacba.com by November 15, 2017. The Board will review the letters of interest and anticipates making its selection later this year.

For more information about serving on the NACBA Board, please contact sitting Board members. Email addresses can be found by visiting NACBA’s Find an Attorney.

Register For NACBA’s Webinar On September 14th!

Occasionally, there are times when a debtor needs to file a late claim in a consumer bankruptcy case. The question arises frequently in chapter 13 cases when payment of a claim is necessary to achieve the goal of the chapter 13 plan (e.g., payment of taxes, child support arrearage, mortgage arrearage, etc.). Many jurisdictions address the allowance of late claims differently. This webinar is from the standpoint of a conservative jurisdiction so that it may assist as many practitioners as possible.

A. Problem: A claim needs to be filed to pay an important creditor.
B. Solution: File the appropriate motion for permission.

In Thursday’s Webinar, “How to File a Late Claim in a Chapter 13,” with NACBA President Jim Haller will review the following:

- - The Claims Process
  - Identifying the Missing Claim as Timely
  - Identifying the Missing Claim as Late
  - Practice Tips

Don’t miss this relevant webinar full of valuable information for any bankruptcy attorney!

Register Today!

Welcome From NACBA’s President Jim Haller

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Jim Haller

Dear Members of NACBA,

Together with my colleagues on the NACBA Board of Directors, I wish you a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2017!

I am honored and privileged to assume the role of President of NACBA. I am deeply grateful to my predecessor, Ed Boltz, for his leadership and outstanding contributions to NACBA during his presidency. Ed led NACBA for the past four years through many difficult challenges, including the search for our Executive Director (Dan LaBert). For an extended period, Ed volunteered as and performed the work of both President and Executive Director, all while maintaining his own law practice. We owe him a debt of gratitude. Though his time as President may be over, his volunteer activity will continue. I have appointed Ed to serve as Co-Chair of NACBA’s Legislative Committee.

While 2016 was a challenging year, NACBA emerged stronger than it was in 2015. NACBA has addressed various technology issues to ease and encourage your engagement with the organization. From the new Communities platform to the Consumer Bankruptcy Journal to the Virtual Fall Workshop to increased Membership Benefits (professional liability insurance), the opportunities for ROI on your membership investment are abundant.

NACBA is in the process of creating additional committee opportunities. The more members who become involved, the higher the odds to impact change. Look for invitations to join various committees throughout this year. This is an area of priority for my time as President.

We had a professional and financial setback last Fall when our 2016 Workshop was cancelled due to Hurricane Matthew. The #1 priority will always be the safety of our membership. Despite the significant impact, all members were refunded their registration fees. Those who booked their cabins through NACBA also had their fees returned. Thanks to successful negotiations with Royal Caribbean, we have a credit with the cruise line for a future (2017-18) cruise workshop.

NACBA’s strength comes directly from the many contributions of our membership. Our members regularly offer their comments to our robust list serve and community platform, volunteer as presenters on webinars and seminars, and assist on briefs to the courts and communications with their federal and state representatives. We have members who dedicate a significant amount of time volunteering in many areas. This is truly an active organization with members who care deeply about our core principles: Educate, Advocate and Litigate.

2017 marks NACBA’s 25th Anniversary. In addition to an exciting convention (Silver Anniversary celebration) May 4-7, with ADVANCED Topics and more social events being planned in Orlando, Florida, this year will be extremely important for us to INCREASE our advocacy efforts with elected representatives about issues that affect our clients, including student loans, predatory lending and potential changes to the Bankruptcy Code. High priority will also be placed on identifying new and continued ways to further support the Amicus Brief efforts of NCBRC. Either via the Judicial system or the Legislative system, only an engaged membership can break through the gridlock and bring positive change on behalf of the needs of consumer debtors in bankruptcy.

I am confident that, together, we will successfully address upcoming challenges. We have a strong and dedicated Board of Directors. Our NACBA staff, including Executive Director Dan LaBert and Director of Events Rachael Hodgen, is the best in the country. Our membership includes more engaged members than any bar association – period. Together we will make 2017 our finest year.

Yours sincerely,

Jim Haller
President

#NACBA25 Highlight!

nacba25

It’s Never to Early to Learn at #NACBA25!

Register for the Pre- Convention Session: FDCPA Extreme!

Thursday, May 4th, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM

FDCPA Extreme is a half day workshop that will help your bankruptcy practice add revenue, generate referrals and increase your client satisfaction. This comprehensive workshop will cover a number of topics including:

Fair debt collection practices act:
History and legislation
When FDCPA comes into play for your bankruptcy client,
Statute of limitations
Unlawful communications,
Bankruptcy stay violations,
FDCPA violations after bankruptcy
Protecting the claim,
Various remedies under FDCPA
Creating a systematic process so you can add these cases to your practice.

Rates for this pre-convention session is separate from Convention registration, however if you attend #NACBA25 there is a $100.00 savings! Register Today!

Join Our Speakers for this Informative Session!

Jim Haller

David J. Philipps

Craig Shapiro

Learn more about #NABCA25 and don’t miss the Early Bird rate.

Jim Haller Elevated To Vice President of NACBA Board of Directors

BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEYS SELECT ILLINOIS “LEADING LAWYER” AS VICE PRESIDENT

WASHINGTON, D.C. and BELLEVILLE, IL (January 21, 2015) – National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA) announced today that Illinois bankruptcy attorney James J. “Jim” Haller is the new vice president of the organization. Haller has served on the NACBA Board of Directors since 2008. He is responsible for spearheading NACBA’s Advocate and Grassroots Program and has represented NACBA members since 2009 in NACBA’s Liaison Committee with the Executive Office of the United States Trustee. He also serves on NACBA’s Legislative Committee.

Serving approximately 3,000 members in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, NACBA (http://www.nacba.org/) is the only national organization dedicated to serving the needs of consumer bankruptcy attorneys and protecting the rights of consumer debtors in bankruptcy.

James J. Haller is a partner with William Mueller at The Law Offices of Mueller and Haller, LLC in Belleville, IL, and the co-owner of The Bankruptcy Center in Illinois and The Bankruptcy Company in Missouri. He serves on the standing Rules Committee for the Bankruptcy Court of Southern District of Illinois. In 2004, he co-founded the local bankruptcy bar association, The Bankruptcy Association of Southern Illinois (BASIL) which holds yearly regional seminars. In 2012, he was named a “Leading Lawyer” in the category of Bankruptcy Law in Illinois.

Haller has served as a panelist for several organizations including: ABI; the National Association of Chapter 13 Trustees (NACTT); the Bankruptcy Association of Southern Illinois (BASIL); the Illinois State Bar Association; the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education; Illinois Housing in Action; and the Illinois Attorney General’s office and the Land of Lincoln Legal Services. He has been a member of the State Bar Associations of Illinois and Missouri since 1995 and 1993 respectively, and received his B.A. from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota and his J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis.

Haller said: “It has been a pleasure and valuable learning experience to have served on the NACBA Board of Directors. NACBA plays a critical role in protecting debtors in bankruptcy. It is a great honor to be chosen as Vice President of NACBA. I hope to take a very proactive role now in the organization’s leadership and agenda setting.”

For more information about the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, go to http://www.nacba.org) on the Web.

CONTACT: Patrick Mitchell for NACBA at (703) 276-3266 or pmitchell@hastingsgroup.com.

Editor’s Note: A high resolution digital photograph (headshot) of James J. Heller is available upon request.