TAMPA, FL — Shumaker Partner and Financial Institutions & Insurance Industry Sector Co-Chair Steven M. Berman recently served as a panelist at the American Bankruptcy Institute's (ABI) 2026 Southeast Bankruptcy Workshop, one of the premier educational and networking events for bankruptcy and restructuring professionals.
As a panelist on “Consumer: Automatic Stay Litigation: Trends and Strategies,” Steve joined fellow bankruptcy professionals in examining current trends in automatic stay litigation and the practical strategies employed by debtors and creditors in contested cases. The discussion covered common dispute scenarios, evolving court approaches, and key considerations for navigating stay relief, enforcement actions, and related risks in bankruptcy proceedings. Steve’s participation reflects his longstanding commitment to the insolvency profession, including his service on ABI's Board of Directors and as its Anthony H.N. Schnelling Endowment Fund’s National Regional Endowment Coordinator.
"Bankruptcy litigation continues to evolve as courts address increasingly complex disputes involving debtors and creditors," said Steve. "Programs like the Southeast Bankruptcy Workshop provide valuable opportunities for practitioners to exchange ideas, discuss emerging trends, and strengthen the profession through education and collaboration."
In addition to Steve's educational contribution to the program, Shumaker sponsored the workshop's Bourbon Mixology Class and Tasting Event, a popular networking experience that also served a greater purpose. Proceeds from the event generated $11,287 for the ABI Endowment Fund, which supports bankruptcy education, research, and professional development initiatives.
A seasoned trial attorney with more than three decades of bankruptcy experience, Steve focuses his practice on business bankruptcy litigation and represents creditors, investors, distressed-debt lenders, trustees, committees, and business entities in bankruptcy-related disputes. He is board certified in both Creditors' Rights Law and Business Bankruptcy Law by the American Board of Certification and serves in numerous leadership roles within the bankruptcy community.