THE 
CLLA NATIONAL CONVENTION
CLLA NATIONAL CONVENTIONMay 14-16, 2025
CHICAGO • SWISSOTEL
CLICK ON THE DAY BELOW TO VIEW THE SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY May 14, 2024
THURSDAY May 15, 2024
FRIDAY May 16, 2024
Wednesday, May 14
Swissotel Chicago, 323 East Upper Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601
10:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.
REGISTRATION
ROOM: Lucerne Foyer
NOON – 3:00 P.M.
BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING
ROOM: Élevé Riverview, 42nd Floor
4:00 – 5:00 P.M.
LEGISLATIVE FORUM
ROOM: Alpine (Lucerne Level)
NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
5:00 – 6:00 P.M.
FIRST TIME ATTENDEE’S ORIENTATION
By Invitation Only (ticketed event)
ROOM: Currents (Concourse Level)
6:00 – 7:00 P.M.
WELCOME RECEPTION
Reconnect with colleagues and celebrate the first night of National at the Welcome Reception.
ROOM: Alpine Foyer (Lucerne Level)
10:00 P.M. – Midnight
GAMES GALORE NIGHTCAP
After dinner, meet up at the hotel to unwind with a nightcap and a little competition. Join us for some exciting late-night gaming including ping pong, foosball, cornhole, and more! Compete for bragging rights while networking with fellow members.
ROOM: Geneva (Concourse Level)
Thursday, May 15
Swissotel Chicago, 323 East Upper Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601
7:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.
REGISTRATION
ROOM: Lucerne Foyer
7:00 – 8:00 AM.
PAST PRESIDENTS’ BREAKFAST (By Invitation Only)
HOSTED BY: Name
ROOM: Élevé Riverview (42nd Floor)
BREAKFAST AND NETWORKING
ROOM: Lucerne 1 & 2 (Lucerne Level)
8:00 – 8:30 A.M.
WELCOME/ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING
ROOM: Alpine (Lucerne Level)
SPEAKER: Ted Hamilton, Wetherington Hamilton, P.A.
8:45 – 9:45 A.M.
COMMERCIAL ACCOUNTS UNDER THREAT: NAVIGATING THE CALIFORNIA ROSENTHAL ACT AND DEFENDING THE IMPENDING SURGE OF LAWSUITS
ROOM: Alpine (Lucerne Level)
HOT TOPICS IN BANKRUPTCY CASE LAW
ROOM: Lucerne 3 (Lucerne Level)
9:45 – 10:00 A.M.
BREAK (LUCERNE FOYER)
VALUATION IN BANKRUPTCY OR AVOIDANCE
Examining Valuation Methods, Evidentiary Requirements and Other Considerations for Both Debtors and Creditors in Bankruptcy
ROOM: Lucerne 3 (Lucerne Level)
11:00 – 11:15 A.M.
BREAK (LUCERNE FOYER)
11:15 – 11:45 A.M.
CREDITORS’ RIGHTS SECTION GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
ROOM: Alpine (Lucerne Level)
11:30 – 12:00 P.M.
BANKRUPTCY SECTION GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
ROOM: Lucerne 3 (Lucerne Level)
12:00 – 1:00 P.M.
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP LUNCH BUFFET
ROOM: Lucerne 1 (Lucerne Level)
WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT & NETWORKING LUNCHEON
12:00 – 1:00 P.M.
ROOM: Currents (Concourse Level)
We are excited to once again collaborate with Dress for Success Greater Chicago, an extraordinary organization committed to empowering women on their journey toward economic independence. With a robust network and essential career development resources, they are making a profound impact on the lives of women in Chicago and beyond.
We are honored to welcome our keynote speaker, Keli Frazier-Cox, founder of Promote Leaders LLC, who will share her insights on “Finding Your Passion and Purpose in Giving.” Keli brings a wealth of experience in aligning growth objectives with cultural nuances and personal development. Her Intentionally Balanced Leadership framework offers tailored strategies that inspire executives to lead with purpose.
1:00 – 2:00 P.M.
DRONE LAW: LOOK UP IN THE SKY… IT’S A BIRD, IT’S A PLANE, IT’S A DRONE!
ROOM: Alpine (Lucerne Level)
SIMMERING ISSUES IN CHAPTER 11: THE NEW FRONTIER
ROOM: Lucerne 3 (Lucerne Level)
2:00 – 2:15 P.M.
BREAK (LUCERNE FOYER)
2:15 – 3:15 P.M.
GOOD FORWARDERS GO BAD – PART 2
ROOM: Alpine (Lucerne Level)
3:15 – 3:30 P.M.
BREAK (LUCERNE FOYER)
3:30 – 4:00 P.M.
AGENCY SECTION GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
ROOM: Alpine (Lucerne Level)
3:45 – 4:15 P.M.
NEW MEMBERS SECTION GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
ROOM: Lucerne 3 (Lucerne Level)
NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
4:30 –5:30 P.M.
COMMERCIAL LAW FEUD
Join us for a fast-paced, hilarious, and competitive game show, pitting teams of CLLA members against each other as they try to guess the answers to survey questions!
ROOM: Lucerne 2 (Lucerne Level)
5:30 – 6:30 P.M.
THURSDAY EVENING SOCIAL
We are excited to invite you to a delightful evening of networking, snacks, and drinks! Whether you’re looking to catch up with old friends or meet new connections, this casual gathering is the perfect opportunity to expand your network in a relaxed setting.
Your participation is key to building a vibrant community of commercial law professionals. Don’t miss out on this chance to connect.
ROOM: Lucerne/Alpine Foyer
10:00 P.M. – MIDNIGHT
KARAOKE NIGHTCAP & DESSERTS
Back by popular demand… It’s Karaoke Night!
Join the New Members’ Section Executive Council and fellow colleagues to sing your hearts out all while networking!
ROOM: Geneva (Concourse Level)
Friday, May 16
Swissotel Chicago, 323 East Upper Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601
7:30 A.M. – NOON
REGISTRATION
ROOM: Lucerne Foyer
8:00 – 8:30 A.M.
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST & NETWORKING
ROOM: Lucerne 1-2 (Lucerne Level)
8:30 – 9:30 A.M.
A PRIMER ON THE RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
ROOM: Alpine (Lucerne Level)
9:30 – 9:45 A.M.
BREAK (LUCERNE FOYER)
9:45 – 10:45 A.M.
TRUSTING LAWYERS’ TRUST ACCOUNTS – ETHICAL DILEMMAS
ROOM: Alpine (Lucerne Level)
12:00 – 1:00 P.M.
BRUNCH BUFFET, ANNUAL AWARDS, AND FAREWELL
ROOM: Lucerne 1 & 2 (Lucerne Level)
The conference wraps up with this annual lunch and awards presentation recognizing service to the CLLA. Join us as we honor Joseph. A. Marino, Esq. of Marino, Mayers & Jarrach, LLC, Clifton, New Jersey and present him with the distinguished CLLA President’s Cup.
BELOW: Bill Thrush (right), 2023-2024 CLLA President, presents the the distinguished CLLA President’s Cup to the Hon. Judith K. Fitzgerald (Ret.) at the 2024 CLLA 130th National Convention.
Joseph A. Marino, Esq.
Marino, Mayers & Jarrach, LLC
Clifton, New Jersey
Join us as Joseph A. Marino, Esq. is presented with the distinguished 2025 CLLA President’s Cup Award.
Joseph A. Marino is a Creditors’ Rights Specialist, initially certified by the American Board of Certification 1994. Mr. Marino obtained his BS in Commerce from St. Louis University, MO in 1971 and obtained his Juris Doctor from the New England School of Law in 1976. He is admitted to practice law in the states of New Jersey and Florida as well as the District of Columbia.
He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and the Commercial Law League of America. He has served the CLLA as its Secretary and as the Chair of its Creditors’ Rights Section. He is a frequent lecturer on creditors rights topics, including those focused upon fraud and fraudulent transfers. He contributes articles periodically to the Commercial Law World magazine of the CLLA. He is also an affiliate member of the Commercial Collection Agencies of America and the Marino, Mayers & Jarrach firm is an associate member of the International Association of Commercial Collectors.
Mr. Marino established his firm as a full-service Commercial Litigation Firm, assisting clients throughout the State of New Jersey and the United States of America, to provide comprehensive, skillful, and cost-effective services to our clients. The firm prosecutes all Creditor Rights Claims: from general collections to more Complex Commercial Litigation including Fraud and Fraudulent Transfers, Bankruptcy, Replevin and RICO. Mr. Marino is also a member of the Unico Foundation, Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs and International Honor Society of the Sovereign Military Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta. In 2018, Mr. Marino received the “Robert E. Caine Award for Leadership” from the Commercial Law League of America.
NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
2:00 P.M.
BARREL BUS
Join Us for a Barrel of Fun!
Optional Activity
(Pre-Registration and payment required)
Hop on the “Barrel Bus” on Friday afternoon for an unforgettable adventure through Chicago’s breweries and distilleries! Enjoy round-trip transportation, a behind-the-scenes brewery tour, beer tastings and a cocktail at a local distillery. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow members and share in the joy of craft beverages. Don’t miss out—spaces are limited!
Secure your spot today and get ready for a day of exploration, tastings, and camaraderie. Cheers to good times ahead!
$175 per person includes transportation, all tastings, beverages and snacks on the Barrel Bus. *Ticket purchase is non-refundable
2:00 P.M.
ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO TOUR
Join your colleagues for a captivating self-guided tour of the Art Institute of Chicago led by CLLA member and art enthusiast David Lippman! Explore one of the world’s premier art collections with fellow art lovers. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.artic.edu or on-site. Reserve your spot at the convention registration desk for an unforgettable experience!
