ABI TECHNOLOGY PRESS BRIEFING

The American Bankruptcy Institute held a technology press briefing on December, 12, 2002, the first of a series of press educational teleseminars, featuring ABI experts addressing timely issues in consumer and corporate bankruptcies. The technology briefing featured experts Joel Levitin of Dechert (New York), Nancy Peterman of Greenberg Traurig (Chicago), David Hilty of Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin (New York) and Martin Pichinson of Sherwood Partners (Los Angeles). The panel examined legal, business and financial aspects of high tech and telecom bankruptcy cases. David Hilty gave an overview of the capital market environment in the telecom industry. Nancy Peterman explained why the telecom industry seeks protection under bankruptcy law. Joel Levitin talked about executory contract issues in bankruptcy cases involving telecom and high-tech companies and Martin Pinchinson addressed operational challenges facing the telecom industry under bankruptcy protection.

• David Hilty of Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin (New York).
* Please contact David Hilty if you wish to cite any part of his commentary.

• Nancy Peterman of Greenberg Traurig (Chicago).

• Joel Levitin of Dechert (New York).

• Martin Pichinson of Sherwood Partners (Los Angeles).

1 Introduction by ABI Executive Director Sam Gerdano   2 Introduction of panelists   3 Overview of the telecom industry   4 Why is the telecom industry increasingly seeking bankruptcy protection?   5 Executory contract issues unique to the telecom industry   6 The operational challenges facing the telecom industry under bankruptcy protection 7 Are there any recent examples of telecom companies that have successfully reorganized? 8 Are the Bell companies valid in their complaint that they must continue to provide services to bankrupt WorldCom? Do reorganized companies emerge from bankruptcy with an unfair advantage over competitors? 9 Are there any bankruptcy reform bills expected in the 108th Congress that would specifically address the telecom industry?   10 Are there any predictions as to the next area of the tech/telecom industry to experience financial trouble?   11 Are there any predictions as to the outcome of the Nextwave case, which is currently pending in the Supreme Court?

For More Info Please contact Rali Mileva: rmileva@abiworld.org