6:00 – 9:00 p.m

Slinging “Pies” in NYC!

To be held at Self Up 286 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, just two blocks from the Empire State Building, between West 30th and West 31st Streets.

NEW THIS YEAR!  Join us for an evening of networking, charcuterie, wine tasting, soft drinks, and hands-on pizza making. Guided by Self Up’s chefs, you’ll create your own pizza from scratch, worthy of one of New York City’s iconic pizzerias. Once your masterpiece is complete, it will be baked and served alongside a Caesar salad, followed by a scrumptious brown butter chocolate chip cookie for dessert.

(Included in your registration fee. Beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages will be available for individuals to purchase separately.)

Mechanics’ Liens as a Collection Tool…Lien on it!
According to Google AI, the construction industry accounts for more than 10% of all businesses. The White House State ballroom, with an estimated budget of $400 million, is one hot construction project in the news. We think this is a great time to learn or refresh your understanding of one of the most powerful tools in the construction industry−mechanics’ liens−and how it can be used to augment your collection case. Michael Hynum and Sue Chin are pleased to explain the basic foundations of mechanics’ liens and discuss the emerging trends today. General rules and guidelines govern mechanics’ liens, whether you practice in Pennsylvania, New York or another jurisdiction. Notice and filing requirements, property descriptions, affected parties, leverage, release and waiver, and much more will be discussed. You will come away having learned (relearned) the foundations of mechanics’ laws so that you will be ready to handle the next collection matter that involves a construction/home improvement claim or even for your own personal needs!

How to Make Your Debts Uncollectible, Create Risk, and Undermine Your Own Business
This program examines the most common drafting and credit practice mistakes that quietly make debts uncollectible (from ineffective guarantees to poorly conceived venue provisions, to dispute resolution clauses that delay or outright impair recovery). They are routine issues that surface only when a claim is tested, often at the worst possible moment. We will focus on where these provisions fail in practice, how they are challenged in litigation, and why seemingly minor language choices can have outsized consequences. More importantly, the program provides practical, usable strategies to correct these issues on the front end, so that when enforcement becomes necessary, the documents support recovery instead of working against it.

Collective Strength in Practice: Navigating DEI, Ethics, and Harassment in Commercial Law
In the high-pressure, high-volume world of commercial law and creditors’ rights, standard HR compliance is no longer enough. Ethical blind spots, implicit bias in collections tactics, and unchecked internal harassment don’t just harm firm culture — they create significant liability, invite regulatory scrutiny, and put client relationships and firm reputation at risk.

This workshop moves beyond the typical DEI lecture. Designed specifically for commercial firm leaders and practitioners, this session tackles the real-world dilemmas your firm faces daily. Through live polling, high-stakes hypotheticals, and direct insights from the arbitrator’s bench, we explore how these issues actually escalate — and, more importantly, what you can do right now to get ahead of them.

Legality and Enforcement of Electronic Transactions
The legal framework governing electronic signatures and electronic transactions has evolved rapidly since 2020. While the federal ESIGN Act and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA) remain the foundation of electronic signature legality, states continue to update and reinterpret their own statutes. New York is the only state which has not adopted UETA.  Instead, New York has the Electronic Signatures and Records Act. This program while focusing on the New York statute, will provide information on the E-Sign Act and UETA for those attorneys practicing in other states as well as New York. Recent judicial decisions that have clarified what constitutes a valid electronic signature, how consent to electronic contracting must be demonstrated, and the evidentiary standards courts apply when determining whether an electronic record is enforceable will be discussed.

This program provides a comprehensive understanding of the modern rules governing electronic transactions. Participants will learn how courts are currently evaluating electronic signatures, what technological and procedural safeguards companies must implement, and how to ensure that electronically executed commercial agreements are legally binding and defensible.

Cybersecurity on the Front Lines of Commercial Collections: Protecting Your Firm, Your Clients, and Your Data
Creditors’ rights attorneys, commercial collection agencies, and legal networks sit on a goldmine of sensitive financial, personal, and client data — making them prime targets for cybercriminals. From ransomware and business email compromise to vendor breaches and wire fraud, the threats facing CLLA members have grown sharper, faster, and more expensive.

In this session, Andy Balthaser, Chief Compliance Officer at Cadex Solutions, will deliver a practical look at the cybersecurity risks shaping our industry today. Attendees will leave with:

• A clear-eyed view of the threats most likely to hit law firms, agencies, and legal networks
• Concrete steps to strengthen defenses, vendor oversight, and incident response
• Guidance on client expectations, regulatory pressure, and what “reasonable security” really looks like
• Lessons learned from real incidents across the creditors’ rights and commercial collections space

Whether you run a two-attorney shop or a national agency, you’ll walk away with an actionable roadmap to reduce risk, protect client trust, and keep your business resilient.

Peter McManus Café (CASH BAR)

152 Seventh Avenue
917-261-5504

Peter McManus Cafe is the oldest family-run bar in New York City, serving fine food with good spirits since 1936!

www.mcmanus.nyc