Georgia State Approved Sessions

Don’t miss these roundtables on today’s provocative issues, led by the judges of the Southeast Bankruptcy Workshop.

Customers can play a significant role in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, both in terms of the value they add to (or detract from) the debtor's business and their potential rights as creditors. In this panel discussion, we will explore the role of customers in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and the impact they can have on the process, including: The importance of maintaining or rejecting customer relationships and the impact that customer behavior can have on the success of the reorganization or sale process; The creditor role of a customer that can arise by virtue of rejection damages, including the roles and rights a customer gains by becoming a creditor; The consent and approval rights that customers may have in the Chapter 11 process and the implications of these rights for both the debtor and potential bidders in the sale process; The impact that a change of ownership can have on customers, the protections they’re afforded, and how both are addressed in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. This panel discussion will bring together experts in bankruptcy law, customer relationships, and business strategy to provide a comprehensive view of the role of customers in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. Whether you represent customers, creditors, or are simply interested in learning more about the bankruptcy process, this discussion will provide valuable insights into this complex area of the law.

This panel will discuss current trends in real estate that affect distressed-asset situations. The panelists will first address the state of today's real estate market from the perspectives of real estate investors, lenders and financial advisors, then will dive into current real estate issues in chapter 11 cases.

This panel will cover various proceedings alternative to bankruptcy, with a focus on assignments for the benefit of creditors. The panelists will provide an overview of popular bankruptcy alternatives and discuss their practicalities.

This panel will cover makewholes, including an examination of Hertz and Ultra, a comparison of Second, Third and Fifth Circuit precedents and the recent makewhole premium dispute in Mallinckrodt; and structured dismissals in bankruptcy post-Jevic, including In re KG Winddown, Forever 21, Basic Energy and more.

This panel will first discuss lessons learned from the extensive litigation over the past few years on “drop-down” and “up-tier” restructuring transactions in such cases as Murray Energy, Serta Simmons, TriMark, Boardriders, iHeart, La Paloma and White Box v. Trans Ocean. Next, we will examine some recent developments in fraudulent conveyance litigation, including challenges to transfers made in “Texas two-step” mergers (e.g., J&J); establishing fraudulent intent (Tribune); and recovering from subsequent transferees (e.g., Giant Gray; Madoff). Finally, we will discuss developments on equitable mootness, which continues to be litigated with differing results around the country.

This roundtable will provide updates from the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York (and surrounding areas) about court rules and practices, and discuss topics of general interest to the bar.

This panel will provide a lively discussion of valuation, liability management transactions, corporate governance, ethics and the bankruptcy process set against the backdrop of the Casears restructuring and chapter 11 case. The panelists, all of whom were intimately involved in the Caesars bankruptcy as principal, advisor or journalist, will offer their unique insights into this fascinating chapter 11 case and the lessons (legal, practical and ethical) it teaches for restructurings today.

This panel will examine the fraudulent transfer (and other) risks associated with a leveraged transaction, including LBOs and dividend recap transactions, and the steps that may be taken to mitigate those risks. The panelists will approach each topic with a 360-degree view, exploring the issues from the perspectives of board members, debt capital providers and equity sponsors/shareholders.