Norton Institutes’ Feb. 10–12, 2026 Online Bankruptcy Law Seminar: What Lawyers Learned—and Why It Matters for Your CLE

For more than four decades, Norton Institutes on Bankruptcy Law has been a go-to source for advanced bankruptcy law seminars that combine rigor with a collegial, conversational setting. The organization, founded by the late Judge William L. Norton, Jr. (author of Norton Bankruptcy Law and Practice), is known for expert-led programming that delivers meaningful continuing legal education to practicing

attorneys across the country. 

In February 2026, Norton will host a three-day live, online seminar designed specifically for lawyers who want an efficient way to stay current on doctrine while earning CLE. Delivered via Zoom over three afternoons, the program will spotlight recent case developments, professional responsibility, consumer practice trends, and Chapter 11 (including Subchapter V) insights—taught by a faculty of retired bankruptcy judges and leading practitioners. 

Below is a concise overview of the program structure, faculty, and takeaways to help attorneys understand the Institute’s format and why its online legal education continues to stand out.

Who Is Norton Institutes?

Norton Institutes was created shortly after the publication of Norton Bankruptcy Law and Practice to conduct annual legal seminars nationwide. True to its origins, the Institute emphasizes advanced discussion of current bankruptcy issues delivered in a relaxed atmosphere. Today, management of the seminars is led by Bill Norton III, and the faculty is drawn from experienced judges and bankruptcy practitioners, many of whom contribute to the Norton treatises. 

On its home page, Norton highlights expert-led in-person and virtual seminars that provide top-tier CLE credits for legal professionals—an approach that meets busy lawyers where they are while maintaining the Institute’s long-standing standards. 

Inside the Feb. 10–12, 2026 Live Online Seminar

Format & Access. The 2026 program presented via Zoom, enables remote participation from anywhere. Sessions are concentrated in afternoon blocks (Eastern Time) to minimize disruption to court calendars and client work. 

Faculty Model. Each day is moderated by William L. Norton III and led by retired judges and seasoned practitioners known for their clarity and practical focus.

Norton’s home page also foregrounds its featured speakers—retired Judges Keith Lundin, Randy Haines, and Leif Clark—reflecting the Institute’s emphasis on judicial perspective. 

Day 1 (Mon., Feb. 10): Recent Developments & Ethics

• Recent Developments in Bankruptcy Law (1:00–3:00 p.m. ET) Retired Judge Randy Haines will survey major decisions from the prior year, with particular attention to the Supreme Court and Courts of Appeals. For practitioners, this session distills high-impact holdings and trends that often drive strategy in both consumer and business cases.

• Ethical and Professional Compensation Issues (3:30–5:00 p.m. ET) Susan Freeman (Womble Bond Dickinson, Phoenix) and Jeff Hellman (Law Offices of Jeffrey Hellman, LLC, New Haven), will review decisions highlighting recurring ethical pitfalls in bankruptcy practice, including fee and compensation questions.

Day 2 (Tue., Feb. 11): Consumer Chapter 7 & 13 Developments

• Recent Developments in Consumer Chapter 7 and 13 Cases (1:00–4:00 p.m. ET)Retired Judge Keith M. Lundin will lead a panel discussion with Henry E. Hildebrand III (Chapter 13 Trustee, M.D. Tenn.), and Richardo Kilpatrick (Kilpatrick & Associates). The panel will examine the past year’s most consequential decisions affecting consumer practice and trustee administration.

Day 3 (Wed., Feb. 12): Chapter 11 & Subchapter V

• Recent Developments in Chapter 11 and Subchapter V Cases (1:00–4:00 p.m. ET)Retired Judge Leif Clark will lead a discussion of recent Chapter 11 decisions, including Subchapter V issues, joined by Rob Charles (Lewis Roca), Andrew J. Currie (Venable), and Bill Norton III. For restructuring lawyers, this session will offer a compact update on key rulings shaping plan feasibility, confirmation issues, and small-business reorganizations.

Materials & Added Value

Registrants who enroll for all three days receive a complimentary copy of the Norton Quick Reference Bankruptcy Code and Rules, a practical desk resource that pairs well with the case-law updates covered during the program. Beyond the publication, Norton’s programming is designed for engaged learning: the Institute’s long-standing “trademark” is advanced discussion delivered in a relaxed atmosphere—an environment that encourages nuanced questions and peer exchange while staying closely tethered to current authority. 

Why This Seminar Model Works for Busy Bankruptcy Lawyers

• Efficient, current content. By concentrating sessions into three focused afternoons and organizing them around “recent developments,” Norton helps lawyers stay current without losing a full week to travel. The Institute’s homepage underscores the organization’s 40+ year legacy of premier bankruptcy education, signaling a consistent commitment to substantive quality.

• Judicial perspective. With retired judges guiding the discussion, attorneys gain insight into how courts are reading—and applying—new authority, which is invaluable when advising clients or refining litigation strategy. Norton’s featured-speaker roster (Judges Lundin, Haines, and Clark) reflects that emphasis.

• Ethics integrated with doctrine. Positioning ethics alongside doctrinal updates addresses real-world pain points—particularly fee practices, disclosures, and professional responsibility issues that can surface in any chapter.

• Practical coverage across chapters. By splitting consumer (Ch. 7/13) and business (Ch. 11/Subchapter V) tracks across separate days, the seminar lets practitioners prioritize the content most relevant to their dockets while still capturing cross-cutting trends.

Looking Ahead

Norton’s website also highlights the Bankruptcy Recent Developments Seminar scheduled for February 10–12, 2026, reflecting the Institute’s continuity in offering annual, expert-led programming for bankruptcy professionals.

Key Details at a Glance (2026 Program)

• Dates: Feb. 10–12, 2026 (Mon–Wed)

• Delivery: Live, online via Zoom

• Daily Blocks:

  • Day 1: 1:00–3:00 p.m. ET (Recent Developments), 3:30–5:00 p.m. ET (Ethics)

  • Day 2: 1:00–4:00 p.m. ET (Consumer Ch. 7 & 13)

  • Day 3: 1:00–4:00 p.m. ET (Ch. 11 & Subchapter V)

• Faculty Highlights: Retired Judges Randy Haines, Keith M. Lundin, Leif Clark; Susan Freeman; Jeff Hellman; Rob Charles; Andrew J. Currie; Henry E. Hildebrand III; Richardo Kilpatrick; moderated by William L. Norton III

• Bonus for 3-Day Registrants: Complimentary Norton Quick Reference Bankruptcy Code and Rules

Final Thought

For lawyers seeking bankruptcy law seminars that deliver genuinely useful continuing legal education, Norton Institutes’ 2026 program will offer a concentrated, judge-led deep dive into recent cases, ethical obligations, and both consumer and business practice. With a 40-plus-year reputation and a faculty built around retired judges and seasoned practitioners, Norton continues to provide online legal education that respects your time while elevating your practice. Keep an eye on the Institute’s updates for the next offering and speaker line-up.