Business

This panel will address the differences between the laws of various Caribbean nations (Nevis, Cayman, Panama) and the U.S. concerning the creation of various legal entities/structures to hold assets, as well as those nations’ laws concerning (1) privacy, (2) taxation, (3) piercing the corporate veil/sham structure and (4) avoidance actions. This session will also consider U.S. courts’ jurisdictional ability to enter and enforce orders affecting such entities and their power to assert jurisdiction over persons who are involved with and professionals who represent such entities.

This panel will review the shift of leverage to hold-out creditors and the requirement that structured dismissals must adhere to the absolute priority rule outside of a plan.

This panel will explore the myriad issues that arise in chapter 7 and 11 cases when the debtor is the sponsor of an employee retirement benefit plan, including 401(k) plans and pension plans.

The next evolution of insolvency practice is upon us. The morphing of what started as a restructuring practice into a § 363 sale practice is old news, while the more recent introduction of nontraditional, sophisticated financial investors into the process has brought about another evolution: the debt-to-equity conversion. Why settle for prime and three when you can use Bankruptcy Code provisions like the absolute priority rule and the securities law exemption to come out post-effective date with a freely tradable equity instrument that will enable the holder to share in all of the upside of the reorganized enterprise? This panel will explore the mechanics of a debt-to-equity conversion in the context of a chapter 11 plan in the legal context, then will explain the valuation metrics and allocation calculations that underlie the dynamics as to who gets to participate and the amount of equity offered to the various case constituencies. The discussion will also cover the tools used to spur creditor acceptance of the conversion and uses of the paradigm as a means of raising new capital for the restructured debt, such as backstop agreements and rights offerings.

This judges' panel will include a discussion of various aspects of mediation, the judges' views on developing and encouraging younger lawyers, and a discussion of the important role served by Delaware lawyers when acting as local counsel.

A chapter 11 case can present a host of ethical pitfalls for unsuspecting attorney. Whether you represent debtors or creditors, this panel will discuss common ethical issues facing practitioners in a chapter 11 case.

With President Trump in the White House and Republicans in control of both chambers of Congress, dramatic shifts may be coming to the insolvency industry. In this presentation, we will examine the potential impact of executive orders, legislative action, and other policy developments – including tax reform – that could affect insolvency practitioners.