Janet Casciato Northrup of Hughes Watters Askanase to Speak at Annual Farm, Ranch and Agri-Business Bankruptcy Institute.

HOUSTON -- Janet Casciato Northrup, of counsel to Hughes Watters Askanase L.L.P. (HWA), will be a speaker at the 23rd Annual Farm, Ranch and Agri-Business Bankruptcy Institute in Lubbock, Texas, on Sept. 14.

This bankruptcy educational event targets bankruptcy attorneys whose practices address farm, ranch and agri-business issues. Sponsors include the West Texas Bankruptcy Bar Association, Texas Tech University School of Law, The Association of Chapter 12 Trustees and the Bankruptcy Section of the State Bar of Texas.

HWA, a law firm based in Houston, has extensive bankruptcy experience in addition to expertise in real estate, litigation, corporate transactions and consumer finance. Northrup will be participating in a two-attorney panel that will provide practical tips for navigating Chapter 13 and Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings following the enactment of the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2005.

"This seminar does a great job of advancing bankruptcy law as it pertains to the unique needs of farming, ranching and other agri-businesses by providing informed speakers on new developments and current litigation trends," said Northrup. "Although it will be my first time to speak at this institute, I'm looking forward to sharing my diverse experience and what I've found to be best practices in various bankruptcy proceedings."

With more than 25 years of experience in bankruptcy law, Northrup is recognized as one of the top consumer bankruptcy experts in Texas and has been named a Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly magazine. She is certified in consumer bankruptcy law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has been a Chapter 7 Trustee for the Southern District of Texas since 1986. For a full biographical profile on Northrup, please visit www.hwa.com.

To register or for more information on the Farm, Ranch and Agri-Business Bankruptcy Institute, visit www.law.ttu.edu.

About Hughes Watters Askanase

For more than 29 years, Hughes Watters Askanase L.L.P. has helped business organizations, financial institutions and individuals succeed with their business endeavors. The firm's attorneys play a strategic role and support clients through every stage of existence and operation, from formation to liquidation. The practice focuses on the six interrelated areas which provide the greatest opportunities and most challenging obstacles: bankruptcy, business planning and strategy, commercial finance, commercial real estate, consumer financial services, and litigation. For more information on Hughes Watters Askanase L.L.P., please visit www.hwa.com.