No CLE

Past valuation panels have focused on the three traditional methods for determining the enterprise value of an operating business: DCF, comparable company and comparable transaction. This panel will focus on sources of value or reductions in value that are sometimes disregarded, such as excess cash and working capital, underutilized real estate and hard assets, claims and other contingent assets, insurance claims, intellectual property portfolios, discontinued businesses and NOLs. Normalizing adjustments are also discussed, including those related to above-market compensation, insider contracts, and underinvestment in capital plan and brand equity

A bankruptcy reorganization or out-of-court restructuring can significantly impact tax attributes such as NOLS and basis. The existence of and ability to use such attributes after a reorganization or restructuring often affects value. Two common issues must be considered with regard to a transaction’s impact on such items: the reduction of tax attributes and limitations on the ability to use tax attributes. The topics addressing absorption of tax attributes include discharge of indebtedness income, attribute reduction, stock-for-debt exchanges, debt modifications and elections. The loss-limitation overview includes a look at § 382, special bankruptcy § 382 rules and trading restrictions.

Business Debate Resolved: Success fees for financial advisors should be eliminated. (Sides to be chosen by a coin toss at the beginning of the session.) Candace C. Carlyon Shea & Carlyon Ltd.; Las Vegas Frank A. Merola Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP; Los Angeles Judicial Debate Resolved: Claims benefiting from third-party guaranties may be separately classified. Pro: Hon. Barry Russell U.S. Bankruptcy Court (C.D. Calif.); Los Angeles Con: Hon. Eileen W. Hollowell U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Ariz.); Tucson Consumer Debate Resolved: Section 523(a)(8) limiting discharge of student loans should be eliminated. Pro: Kasey Cameron Nye Mesch, Clark & Rothschild, PC; Tucson, Ariz. Con: Madeleine C. Wanslee Gust Rosenfeld, PLC; Phoenix

This panel will discuss recent trends and views on various issues that arise in an out-of-court workout, as well as various strategies that can be employed in a bankruptcy case—all from the lender’s perspective. The panel will also explore the latest developments in DIP financing.

This program will cover recent developments in distressed-asset sales. Topics will include successor liability, finality of sales and adherence to procedures, the interplay between §§ 363 and 365(h), intellectual property sale issues, break-up fees, collusive bidding issues and other topical issues.

Three years of disappointing recovery have come at the cost of unprecedented policy actions, both in monetary and fiscal policy. Bar a major failure in resolving the "fiscal cliff" negotiations, the economic outlook may improve in 2013, but questions remain about what the "exit" strategy will be. Are new financial imbalances building into the economy? Are low interest rates fostering an excessive accumulation of private and public debt? How vulnerable the financial system and the corporate sector are to a normalization in interest rates? Mr. Laurenti will discuss how to navigate the risks for the US economy, and the scenarios that most likely shape the bankruptcy and turnaround business in 2013 and 2014.

Consumer Track: When Divorce and Bankruptcy Collide, Breaking Up Is Hard to Do The panel will explore the overlapping and sometimes conflicting state and federal objectives and law that can lead to unfair results when a bankruptcy proceeding intervenes in a divorce case.

Our industry experts have hand selected three industries that have seen a slate of recent filings or regulatory upheaval – clean energy, protein/ poultry, and healthcare-- and will examine if we’ve hit bottom or merely the tip of the iceberg.