Business

This panel will address issues related to corporate governance in distressed situations. The discussion will include the interplay between corporate governance and sponsor action, considerations regarding independent directors, and the ongoing debate on the role of employee compensation plans in bankruptcy.

As bankruptcy became a reality for many companies during the pandemic, valuation became a key question. In September 2020, Bloomberg commented, “Pinning a dollar value on a bankrupt enterprise is hard in the best of times. During a pandemic, it’s an invitation for a fight.” This session will discuss approaches to valuation in periods of volatility and business disruption, and how courts have dealt with the ensuing disputes.

This panel will discuss mediation as a pathway to case-resolution; mediation advantages and pitfalls; mediation privilege and disclosure; who should be invited to a mediation; and whether a sitting judge, former judge or trained mediator is the best person to lead a mediation. They will also share lessons learned from previous mediations in large cases.

Last year, two very different cases achieved substantial returns to equityholders: Hertz and Garrett Motion. This panel will review how Hertz and Garrett Motion were able to achieve this result, including the circumstances that brought these companies to chapter 11 and the value-maximization strategies employed, the auction processes in each case, and how future tort claims were valued. The panel will also hold a broader discussion regarding the financial advisor’s role in the chapter 11 process from inception to exit.

This panel will discuss recurring issues related to mass tort cases, including the automatic stay, third-party releases (Sun Edision, Midway Gold, Purdue), venue-selection and estimation. The panelists will also offer an analysis of such key recurring issues as the use and propriety of bankruptcy for solvent debtors, and bankruptcy abuse vs. bankruptcy planning.

This panel will cover developments in cross-border restructurings, including the increasing trend in chapter 11 filings by international companies and resulting jurisdictional issues, the rollout of the EU directive and its impact on the international restructuring landscape, and potential challenges to recognition of a U.K. Part 26(A) “Super Scheme" in the U.S. Additional developments in chapter 15 case law will also be discussed.

This panel will look at ethical issues that arise in the context of bankruptcy proceedings, including protecting common interest privilege and retaining and compensating professionals. Panelists will discuss recent cases and share best practices.

Despite the headwinds created by the global pandemic, economic activity has been in full swing. Economic growth during the pandemic generally surpassed expectations, with favorable lending conditions and consumers and businesses maintaining a surprising level of activity. The enormous legislative response to the pandemic was responsible for the strength of the economy, but labor shortages, supply disruption and inflation have become real concerns. The Russian invasion into Ukraine in February has only exacerbated these risks. Given this backdrop, this panel of distinguished investors will discuss the state of distressed investing, including where they currently see opportunities, their thoughts on the credit cycle, and what might drive the next wave of defaults.

This panel will cover convertible DIPs (LatAm, AeroMexico and Avianca) and sub rosa plans through DIPs. The panel will also discuss post-petition financing issues and protections for secured lenders, including how adequate protection is meant to work, and the ways in which judges are deploying it.

This panel will discuss Code impairment and post-petition interest, provide an update on gerrymandering (including a examination of Consolidated Land Holdings LLC), and review third-party releases and the different outcomes that have occurred in different circuits.