Nevada State Approved Sessions

Conflict and Controversy over Injunctions, Releases and Related Protective Relief

This panel will explore ways to draft pre-petition settlement agreements so that they are “bankruptcy- and preference-proof.” Post-petition settlement agreements will be addressed, with a focus on a discussion of releases, further assurance clauses, indemnification issues, and the settlement of various types of contested matters and adversary proceedings such as claims objections and avoidance actions.

Independent board directors play a vital and increasingly important role in restructurings. Acting as an independent director has great rewards, but it also has risks in today’s restructuring environment. This panel will analyze and discuss a variety of issues related to corporate governance in restructurings and liquidations, including (a) the recruitment, appointment, role and duties of independent directors, (b) how to establish an independent board of directors, (c) the role of lawyers and financial professionals in advising a board of directors and independent directors, and (d) D&O claims, insurance and potential risks to independent directors.

A panel of proven rainmakers will share their tips on how restructuring professionals of any age can learn to bring in new business.

This panel will discuss the Supreme Court’s decision in Bellingham, the coming decision in Wellness, as well as other topical issues of interest.

Resolved: The absolute priority rule should be eliminated in multi-debtor cases. Speakers: Pro: Hon. James M. Peck (ret.) Morrison & Foerster LLP; New York Con:Hon. Mary F. Walrath U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington Resolved: The provisions in 11 U.S.C. § 363 prime and take precedence over the rights that 11 U.S.C. § 365(h) grants to lessees, so accordingly trustees/debtors in possession can sell real estate free and clear of any lease rights a tenant might have in the sold real estate. Speakers: Pro: Carren B. Shulman Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP; New York Con: Paul S. Singerman Berger Singerman, LLP; Miami Resolved: Creating mandatory claim mediation in mega-cases for all creditors should not be permitted as an unnecessary and inappropriate cost on smaller creditors. Speakers: Pro: Brian L. Shaw Shaw Fishman Glantz & Towbin LLC; Chicago Con: Jay M. Goffman Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP; New York

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

Challenges posed by lack of precedent on cramdown, good faith, etc.; recent developments/precedents arising out of Vallejo, Stockton, Central Falls, Jefferson County, etc.; labor, pension and OPEB issues (who owns pension plans and assets?); general obligations vs. dedicated revenues vs. secured interests; federal and state constitutional issues (contract modification, pension impairment, imposition of taxation, limitations on spending, etc); state alternatives to chapter 9; selling/privatizing municipal assets; post-confirmation enforceability of taxing and paying agreements (Jefferson County); Oppenheimer AMT-Free Municipals decision; possible updates on Puerto Rico, Detroit; possible discussion of consequences of recent developments to the future of the municipal finance market

Extension of controlled group liability to fund investors (Sun Capital), foreign affiliates; U.K. pension claims asserted against U.S. debtors (Nortel, Reader’s Digest); allocation of liability among controlled groups; pre-petition vs. post-petition benefits and claim accrual (including withdrawal liability); standards for termination; multi-employer plan withdrawal liability/“last man standing”; Kodak

Latest post-petition interest litigation, make-whole payments (School Specialty, AMR), OID, etc. (ResCap, KV Pharma); enforceability of intercreditor agreements; class-action certification in bankruptcy (Rodriguez); settlement payments (Quebecor); post-Stern consent to jurisdiction cases (Sixth, Seventh and Ninth Circuits); § 502(d) disallowance under KB Toys; fraudulent transfer update (Tribune, Sentinel)