United States Bankruptcy Court
Eastern District of New York
Courtroom Skills Workshop

Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (In Person and Virtual)

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York will conduct a courtroom skills workshop for lawyers on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (EST).  This Workshop is open to first year associates who have taken the bar exam, more senior lawyers who have had limited or no courtroom experience and/or experienced lawyers who seek a refresher of their courtroom skills. Participants will argue actual motions that were filed in consumer and business cases previously pending before this Court. Motions may be argued with or without opposition.

About the Workshop

The Workshop is not a competition or moot court exercise. It is designed to provide a “safe” environment to practice argument and improve your courtroom skills.1

Please indicate when registering if you wish to argue (1) in-person in Brooklyn (before Judge Elizabeth S. Stong or Judge James T. Bentley); in-person in Central Islip (before Judge Louis A. Scarcella, Judge Sheryl P. Giugliano, or Judge Alice J. Byowitz), or virtually via the ZoomGov platform (before Chief Judge Mazer-Marino); (2) with or without opposition; and (3) whether you wish to argue a consumer or business motion. Lawyers may also register as observers.

Participating lawyers will each be assigned a motion in advance. After argument, participants will receive feedback from the Bankruptcy Judge, bankruptcy lawyers who are members of the EDNY Chapter 11 Lawyers' Advisory Committee and/or bankruptcy lawyers who are members of the EDNY Consumer Lawyers’ Advisory Committee. Approximately ten (10) minutes will be set aside for each participant to present their argument and receive individual feedback. After all motions on the calendar have been argued, the Judges and attorneys will take questions if time permits. 

Registration

The deadline to register is August 21, 2026.

Who may register? Junior lawyers who have taken the bar as well as experienced lawyers with limited (or ‘rusty’) courtroom skills can register as either participants or observers. All members of the Bar are also invited to attend as observers only.

THIS IS A COMMITMENT. When you register to participate, it is akin to scheduling a hearing on a judge’s calendar. There are a limited number of argument slots. The bankruptcy judges and Advisory Committee members are volunteering their time to prepare for and preside at the workshop. Please register only if you can commit to participate.

If you cannot commit to participate, you may register as an observer.  Use this link to register for the EDNY Bankruptcy Court Workshop: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3B3YQJW

After Registration

Approximately 7-10 days prior to the Workshop, participants will receive their assignments of the motion or opposition they will argue. Advisory Committee members will contact participants before the workshop to confirm appearances and answer any questions participants may have.

If you have questions prior to the Workshop, or if you receive an argument slot but must cancel your appearance, you may send an e-mail to either Rachel Blumenfeld [rachel@blumenfeldbankruptcy.com]; Melanie Fitzgerald [MFitzgerald@lhmlawfirm.com]; Mickee Hennessy [mhennessy@westermanllp.com]; or Martin Bunin [mbunin@farrellfritz.com].

Cancellation: If you must cancel, please do so at least 48 hours prior to the workshop.