2015 New York City Bankruptcy Conference

Fraudulent transfer update (§ 546(e) (Lyondell, Tribune, Boston Generating)); Cortlandt; automatic stay litigation (i.e., requirement to turn over funds (Weber)); § 503(b)(9); aiding and abetting claims (Rural Metro); post-Stern consent to jurisdiction cases (Sixth, Seventh and Ninth Circuits and Supreme Court (Exec. Benefits, Wellness).

A detailed analysis of the many aspects of this important bankruptcy court decision.

A moderated roundtable featuring the judges of the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York

Discussion and debate about the venue statute (28 U.S.C. § 1408) and whether it should be modified; special issues involving venue for chapter 15 (including for Chinese companies); impact of venue controversies on UCC selection, first-day orders, and other early issues and decisions; could claims arise from improper venue selection?

Primary focus on voluntary hospitals (including health care issues); secondary focus on NYC Opera, CCRCs, schools, etc.; duties and liabilities of directors; avoidance issues; impact of philanthropic base; avoidance, solvency and deepening insolvency issues; possible focus on benefit corporations, low-profit limited liability companies (LC3s)

Use of judges as mediators; when is the right time to mediate?; when will discovery or a ruling on a key issue facilitate mediation?; who should attend?; what information should be exchanged and what should be confidential to the mediator?; possible case study of ResCap mediation or other example

Extension of controlled group liability to fund investors (Sun Capital), foreign affiliates; U.K. pension claims asserted against U.S. debtors (Nortel, Reader’s Digest); allocation of liability among controlled groups; pre-petition vs. post-petition benefits and claim accrual (including withdrawal liability); standards for termination; multi-employer plan withdrawal liability/“last man standing”; Kodak

Challenges posed by lack of precedent on cramdown, good faith, etc.; recent developments/precedents arising out of Vallejo, Stockton, Central Falls, Jefferson County, etc.; labor, pension and OPEB issues (who owns pension plans and assets?); general obligations vs. dedicated revenues vs. secured interests; federal and state constitutional issues (contract modification, pension impairment, imposition of taxation, limitations on spending, etc); state alternatives to chapter 9; selling/privatizing municipal assets; post-confirmation enforceability of taxing and paying agreements (Jefferson County); Oppenheimer AMT-Free Municipals decision; possible updates on Puerto Rico, Detroit; possible discussion of consequences of recent developments to the future of the municipal finance market

Latest post-petition interest litigation, make-whole payments (School Specialty, AMR), OID, etc. (ResCap, KV Pharma); enforceability of intercreditor agreements; class-action certification in bankruptcy (Rodriguez); settlement payments (Quebecor); post-Stern consent to jurisdiction cases (Sixth, Seventh and Ninth Circuits); § 502(d) disallowance under KB Toys; fraudulent transfer update (Tribune, Sentinel)