Maine State Approved Sessions

Homeowners and their creditors continue to face variety of emerging challenges in bankruptcy cases. What rights do lien holders have when only one of the obligors files bankruptcy? What potential issues await all owners after only one receives a discharge? Can a debtor modify a mortgage loan without reaffirming the debt, and if not, what are the considerations for all parties? This panel of experienced debtor and creditor attorneys will explore the many obstacles that complicate the goal of preserving a debtor’s interest in real estate and maximizing the return for secured creditors, as well as potential options and considerations for those seeking the relief they need.

Utilizing a case study, ABI's panel of experts will explore issues surrounding a lender's decision on whether or not to make an election under § 1111(b), plan feasibility, and voting. The panel will also walk attendees through the necessary mathematical analysis used to analyze these issues.

“Group Privileges”: What are the limits of the attorney-client and work-product privileges that can be asserted by official committees and their members? Ad hoc committees and their members? Bank syndicates and their members; Conflicts: Latest developments in disclosure and disqualification, the use of conflicts counsel, UST Guidelines, etc.; The New U.S. Trustee Guidelines: What ethical concerns are raised by the new UST Guidelines on professional retention and fee applications (including issues relating to attorney/client privilege)? Are there limits on the proper disclosure of a firm’s billing practices and/or “blended” rates?

Discussion of trends and forecasts in energy industry; introduction to the fundamentals of oil and gas investing and relevant legal/business issues

Selection of CRO and establishment of a scope and chain of command; role of CRO and other officers in intercompany disputes in multi-debtor cases; negotiating pre- and post-confirmation equity/incentives for officers and directors; selecting a post-confirmation board of directors; issues and actions constituting “cause” for appointment of trustee or examiner motion; appointment and role of examiner in recent cases (Rescap, Dewey, Dynegy)

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

Equitable mootness, releases, resuscitation of discharged claims, etc. (Owens Corning); § 1129(a)(10) in multi-debtor nonconsolidated cases (Charter, Tribune); treatment of make-whole provisions in a plan (Chemtura); facial nonconfirmability; vote designation; post-filing lock-up agreements

Equitable mootness, releases, resuscitation of discharged claims, etc. (Owens Corning); § 1129(a)(10) in multi-debtor nonconsolidated cases (Charter, Tribune); treatment of make-whole provisions in a plan (Chemtura); facial nonconfirmability; vote designation; post-filing lock-up agreements

Fraudulent conveyance post-TOUSA; direct/indirect benefit; § 550(d); update on in pari delicto; clearing firm as initial transferee in Ponzi scheme (Goldman Sachs v. Bayou); update on case law (e.g., Stern v. Marshall and Madoff); pre-emption (TOUSA, Tribune, Lyondell); safe harbors; insurance issues (sequencing of claims in litigation, policy exclusions, DIP/committee same as pre-petition insured?); venue (Patriot, HMH)