“Wait — You Can Reorganize Under State Law Now?”

This panel will review and discuss the Puerto Rico Public Corporation Debt Enforcement and Recovery Act, which was signed into law on June 28, 2014. The constitutionality of this Act has already been challenged by at least three separate lawsuits brought by different bondholder groups. A special courtroom has been designated in the San Juan Superior Courthouse, and two judges have been specially designated to deal with any filings brought pursuant to this new Act in the Commonwealth Courts. If Puerto Rico can restructure its debts under this state law, will this be an alternative for other states or jurisdictions? Is an alternative to this Act amending the Bankruptcy Code? Will this Act withstand constitutional challenges?