8:00am – 8:55am

Breakfast

8:55am – 9:00am

Opening Remarks

9:00am – 9:10am

Conference Chairperson Opening Remarks

Bruce Zirinsky
Co-Chairman, Business Reorganization & Bankruptcy Practice
Greenberg Traurig, LLP

9:15am – 9:45am

“Outlook on the Distressed Markets”

Session topics include, but are not limited to:

• A high level review of experiences in 2009 and how they may be learned from to influence policies going forward.

• A discussion of recent notable deals and what they show about where to look for opportunities in 2010.

• A look at the state of the Leveraged Buyout Market and in light of its predicted resurgence in 2010. 

Patrick H. Daugherty, Esq.
Partner, Head of Distressed and Private Equity Investments
Highland Capital Management

Interviewed by:
Michael Maiello
Editor of Markets and Intelligent Investing
Forbes

9:45am – 9:50am

Introducing Panel Discussion:

Robert Harris
Partner
Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis

9:50am – 10:30am

Panel Discussion

"‘The Private Equity Investor’ vs. the Specific ‘Distressed Debt Investor’: a look at a new breed of investor in distressed assets/those looking to add distressed to their repertoire."

Session topics include, but are not limited to:

• Advice/what to know when venturing into distressed investments.

• Who is better positioned to take advantage of opportunities?

• Is there significant competition between parties?

• Common misconceptions/mistakes made in sourcing and executing deals in the distressed markets

• Loan default rates are expected to go down in the next year. Does this drop in defaults mean there will be fewer opportunities in distressed investments?

Moderator:
David R. Williams
US Restructuring Leader
Ernst & Young

Panelists:
Steven Wayne
Managing Director
Oak Hill Advisors, LP

Michael Weinstock
Managing Principal
Monarch Alternative Capital LP

Brett Wyard
Managing Director and Co-Head of Carlyle Strategic Partners
The Carlyle Group

Nathaniel Zilkha
Director
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.

10:30am – 11:00am

Coffee Break

11:00am – 11:40am

Panel Discussion
Presented by Greenberg Traurig

"Challenges and Key Principles for Securing Exit Financing"

Session topics include, but are not limited to:

• How viable are the alternatives to bankruptcy?

• A look at strategies for growing value without new financing.

• Navigating the complexities of securing DIP financing.

• Issues surrounding timing & strategies for choosing the right moment and being prepared ahead of time. What factors cause the most detrimental delays to the process?

• Best practices for choosing a lender: what facts/information is most crucial?

Moderator:
Bruce Zirinsky
Co-Chairman, Business Reorganization & Bankruptcy Practice
Greenberg Traurig, LLP

Panelists:
Ari Lefkovits
Director
Lazard

J. Kirk Ogren Partner/Portfolio Manager
TPG Credit Management, L.P.

Mark Shapiro
Managing Director, Head of Restructuring & Finance
Barclays Capital

11:45am – 12:25pm

Panel Discussion

"Distressed Transactions and Value Opportunities in the current/coming Marketplace"

Session topics include, but are not limited to:

• A look some sectors opening up for distressed investors: banking institutions, healthcare, automotive, commercial retail etc.

• Where should one be looking to invest and what to avoid.

• The snap back of the loan and bond markets and the implications for distressed for control investors who may now be refinanced out of their positions.

• The wave of bank and bond maturities coming in 2011-2013, and the new opportunities that may be presented.

Moderator:
Jeff Marwil 
Partner
Proskauer

Panelists:
Maria Boyazny
Managing Director/Portfolio Manager
Siguler Guff & Company, LLC

Kipp deVeer
Partner
Ares Private Debt Group

Paul Gordon
Managing Director
S.A.C. Capital Advisors, L.P.

Joel Holsinger
Managing Director
Fortress Investment Group

*This session is off the record

12:25pm – 1:20pm

Lunch

1:20pm – 1:25pm

Introducing Harvey Miller:
Doug Cullen
Vice President, Business Development|
Intralinks 

1:25pm – 1:55pm

“A Legal Perspective on the Re-Structuring Process and the Distressed Markets”

Session topics include, but are not limited to:

• A look at the future for Real Estate bankruptcies and how regulators and banks will affect the process.
• A discussion of whether companies should companies focus on coming to an agreement or fighting their corner during Chapter 11 proceedings.
• There was talk earlier in the year about how Chapter 11 was becoming a redundant way to help distressed companies, suggesting it was tilted in the interests of creditors. Is this still the thinking and what would be the alternatives or methods to create a fairer balance between debtors/creditors?
• Opinions on the potential value of proposed bankruptcy courts focused solely on financial institutions.

Harvey Miller
Partner
Weil, Gotshal & Manges

Interviewed by:
Henny Sender
Senior Correspondent
Financial Times

2:00pm – 2:40pm

Panel Discussion

"The Prizes and Pitfalls of Cross-Border Investments in Distressed Assets"

Session topics include, but are not limited to:

• What are the hot international industries for a distressed investor? As well as specific geographies you are focused on. 

• Examining the different approaches to due diligence – the most common misconceptions experienced within an international portfolio.

• What are the main obstacles and how can they be successfully navigated?

Moderator:
Peter Lattman
Private Equity Reporter
The Wall Street Journal

Panelists:
Martin Flics
Head, US Restructuring & Insolvency Practice
Linklaters, LLP

Richard Hurowitz
CEO
Octavian Advisors

David H. Storper
Senior Managing Director
WL Ross & Co. LLC

*This session is off the record 

2:40pm – 3:10pm

Coffee Break

3:10pm – 3:50pm

Panel Discussion

“Successfully Managing Portfolio Companies through the Re-Structuring Process”

Session topics include, but are not limited to:

• Perspectives on the turnaround process from the initial meetings through consummation, including consideration of when best to get involved and when best to get out

• Current market trends in workouts and restructuring transactions, including trends in financing, value enhancement, and the participation of professionals

• Do's and Dont's of a workout, including a discussion of when and how best to engage management, customers, and other creditor constituencies

• Best practices in any operational/managerial restructuring

Moderator:
Hank Baer
Partner
Finn Dixon & Herling

Panelists:
Jason Friedman
Managing Director 
Marathon Asset Management

David Robbins
Managing Director, Control Distressed Debt
GSC Group

Jon Weber
Head of Portfolio Operations at Special Situations Group
Goldman Sachs

*This session is off the record

3:55pm – 4:25pm

Session topics include, but are not limited to:

• A look at opportunities for investments in the lower middle markets (less than 100mm enterprise value). How do they compare with ‘bigger’ deals?
• Loan default rates are expected to go down in the next year compared with 2009. Does this drop in defaults mean there will be fewer opportunities in distressed investments?
• Has the market already built in the fact that there are massive debt maturities coming on in 2012-2014 or is there still fear/concerns that the debt will not be able to refinance?

Jason New
Senior Managing Director
GSO Capital

Interviewed by:
Brian Sullivan
Anchor
FOX Business Network 

4:25pm – 4:35pm

Closing Remarks

4:35pm – 5:35pm

Closing Reception

*Please note agenda is subject to change