2023/2024 COMMITTEES
The TBBBA has eight committees and one special committee which provide valuable services to the membership. The TBBBA encourages all of its members to become active in the committee of his or her choice. If you are interested in joining a committee, please contact the chair of the committee listed below.
CLE Programs: Ryan Yant, Dan Etlinger
The CLE Committee is responsible for planning and presenting continuing legal education programs throughout the year for the benefit of our members. We strive to present topical programs that are of interest to the membership and that provide an opportunity to earn CLE credit, particularly ethics credit. There are many opportunities for members to participate in this committee, including developing program ideas, acting as a chair or co-chair for a particular program, participating in a program as a speaker or panel member and even working behind the scenes to support one or more programs.
Consumer CLE: Teresa Hair
The TBBBA Consumer CLE are usually presented on the first Tuesday of every month from September through May (excluding December). Topics focus on issues affecting consumer debtor and creditor attorneys and are presented by bankruptcy judges and practitioners. Anyone is welcome. There is no cost to attend but registration is required.
Community Service/Pro Se Assistance Clinic: Kristina Feher
The Community Service/Pro Se Assistance Clinic committee coordinates staffing and operating the Pro Se Assistance Clinic.
CARE Program: Matthew Hale
Credit Abuse Resistance Education (CARE) provides opportunities for volunteers to address middle school, high school and college age kids about the best practices and pitfalls regarding their credit in an attempt to start them off on the right path. It was created in 2002 by John C. Ninfo, II, retired bankruptcy judge, and now boasts 55 nationwide chapters including 8 in Florida. The Tampa chapter in particular was launched in 2007 by Rodney May, retired bankruptcy judge, who has passed the torch to Judges Catherine Peek McEwen and Michael Hooi. If you have a connection with a school or youth organization who could benefit from a presentation (free and approximately 1 hour long), or, you would like to volunteer as a presenter please contact Scott Underwood.
Cramdown: Dan Fogarty
The Cramdown is a Quarterly publication designed to be informative and useful for the TBBBA Membership. It is intended to be a fusion of scholarly articles, fun facts, pictures and announcements. Articles are solicited from volunteers including Judges and Lawyers and the Clerk’s Office and United States Trustee’s Office. The Cramdown seeks to be self-supporting through paid advertising.
Membership: John Landkammer
The Membership Committee is responsible for monitoring the TBBBA membership levels, updating lapsed memberships, ordering TBBBA badges for new members, coordinating the nomination and election of the new slate of TBBBA Officers and Board members and generally promoting membership benefits for the TBBBA. Please view our membership tab for details regarding how to become a member of the TBBBA.
Judicial Liaison: Benjamin Lambers
The Judicial Liaison Committee of the TBBBA meets throughout the year to discuss issues affecting the quality and improvement of bankruptcy case administration. The meetings are attended by the Tampa bankruptcy judges, various members of the bankruptcy bar, and representatives from the Clerk’s office, the Office of the United States Trustee, and the TBBBA.
Technology and Communications: Scott Underwood
The Technology and Communications Committee maintains the TBBBA’s website, TBBBA.com, and strives to ensure that TBBBA members are regularly informed of upcoming events and news regarding the bankruptcy courts through both the website and the regular sending of emails to the membership. The webmaster for the TBBBA.com website is Tracey Eller and she can be reached by clicking the link on the right side of the website or [email protected].
Social: Dana Robbins
The Social committee is responsible for coordinating the TBBBA’s social events including happy hours, the annual holiday party, and annual dinner.