Business

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

Discussion about unanticipated and anticipated problems in chapter 11 cases in which all or substantially all of the assets are being sold in a § 363 sale; “pay to play” arguments by unsecured creditors; should bankruptcies be run exclusively for the benefit of secured creditors?; presale orders regarding the use of sale proceeds; funding of wind-down costs and payment of administrative claims; post-sale chapter 7 conversions

This panel will focus on the continuing role of creditors’ committees in the current chapter 11 environment. As the fulcrum of security moves up the balance sheet, the utility of committees has been coming under attack. Although historically committees have consisted primarily of trade creditors, they now regularly include bondholders, indenture trustees, the PBGC and unions. Learn about the challenges for professionals representing committees and the way committee members evaluate how to fulfill their fiduciary duties.

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?

This panel will discuss common issues that arise in a § 363 sale, including timing issues, typical marketing programs (or conversely, no-shop clauses), bid procedures, break-up fees and bid-protection provisions. The panel might also touch on critical-vendor provisions, employee incentive programs, claw-back and true-up provisions, and successor liability clauses, as well as the applicability of the various subsections in § 363(f).

Luncheon Keynote at the Annual Spring Meeting

This session will examine the legal issues that impact the flow and diversion of the value distribution waterfall, including identifying gaps between the scope of, and the methodology for determining, enterprise value and collateral value; the impact of §§ 502, 506(a), 506(c) and 552 on the allowed amount of secured and unsecured claims; and contractual and non-contractual adjustments to legal priorities (including intercreditor lien agreements, intercreditor claim-subordination agreements, participation agreements and collective action, equitable subordination, intercompany claims and substantive consolidation). Using a hypothetical case, the panel will illustrate these issues and the uncertain and complex valuation, allocation and intercreditor issues that can arise in a multi-tranched, multi-debtor restructuring case

Madoff: Ponzi Presentation

This panel will discuss applicable federal and state laws, case studies, transactions in regards to actual vs. constructive fraud, tests for constructive fraudulent transfers, and professional liability.