Texas State Approved Sessions

Determining the valuation of a startup poses unique challenges, as typical valuation methodologies, such as analyzing comparable companies, precedent transactions and discounted cash flow analyses, cannot be applied with the same degree of confidence to a company that is lacking an established track record. This panel will examine these challenges and provide insights into valuing a startup from financial, legal and judicial perspectives.

This session will discuss crypto asset and exchange valuation parameters and deal structures, and how investors and analysts alike were duped by FTX and its founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, to invest in his multibillion-dollar Ponzi scheme. SBF had painted himself as an industry saint, but he now acknowledges the firm's “massive failure of oversight of risk management.” The panelists will analyze 2022's largest crypto failures — FTX, BlockFi, Three Arrows Capital, Voyager Digital and Celsius Network — and will address their crypto asset valuation parameters, forensic data sources, trading models, likely stakeholder recoveries, failures of internal controls, current and likely future regulatory controls, and corporate integrity and governance protocols in order to understand how these virtual currencies rose and subsequently collapsed.

This panel will discuss the fallout from the recent “crypto winter,” and what it means for bankruptcy practitioners and their clients, both legally and practically. The panelists will focus on recent developments in major crypto bankruptcy cases, take a look at what is next for restructurings in the crypto industry and regulatory issues, and provide practical tips for lawyers and clients when engaging with crypto companies.

This panel will discuss how secured creditors can inadvertently find themselves junior in priority, diminishing the value of their loans, and how they can protect themselves.

With discussions ongoing in Washington, D.C., regarding increasing the cap for subchapter V filings, subchapter V filings are likely to continue to rise. What are the implications for the resulting cases if the cap does or doesn’t get raised?

Session 1: Understanding Executory Contract Rejection: Damages, Valuation and Strategy When a debtor files for bankruptcy, it has the option to reject executory contracts, or agreements under which both parties have yet to completely fulfill their obligations. In this panel discussion, experts will explore the process of evaluating the rejection of executory contracts, particularly in cases where the debtor is considering rejecting one or more supplier contracts (vs. leases or other financial obligations of the debtor) and where the case is likely to result in a sale. We will cover: the reasons why a debtor might reject a contract, and the evaluation process for making this decision; the process of accessing the rejection damages to enable bid comparisons and informed planning and decision-making; and how the courts rule on comparing bids that differ on rejections and damages, including the legal standards used to determine the appropriate compensation for the other party. Whether you represent creditors or debtors, or are interested in learning more about contract rejection, this webinar will provide you with valuable insights into the complex world of bankruptcy law and real-world case studies. Join us to gain a deeper understanding of the decision-making process and potential damages involved in rejecting executory contracts.

This roundtable will provide insights from judges of the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York (and surrounding areas) on selected hot topics.

This panel will discuss four topics of interest, paying particular attention to litigation strategy and tactics with respect to each. First, we will examine stays pending appeal, particularly stays pending appeals of confirmation orders, including the current state of equitable mootness law in the Second Circuit and elsewhere; when and how to move for a stay; whether and how to make a record at the confirmation hearing to support a later stay motion, and what to do about the bond requirement. Second, we will consider LTL and the standard for dismissal, as well as the importance of making an evidentiary record to support good faith and insolvency on filing. Third, we will consider challenges to the retention of professionals, particularly what standard should govern when a debtor seeks to retain lawyers, investment bankers and other professionals. Should it be the existence of “interests adverse to the estate” or “disinterestedness,” or some combination of the two? We will consider, among other cases, SAS and FTX. Finally, we will consider venue. What are the appropriate criteria that should be considered and relied upon by the debtor when choosing venue and by other parties in interest when challenging the debtor’s choice? How clear or blurry is the line between legitimate strategy and litigation tactics?

Using case law examples, this panel will discuss various aspects of subchapter V in the three years since it became law. Topics will include § 523 and non-individual debtors, whether the minimum required information (e.g., cash flow, tax returns, MORs) is enough to allow creditors to make informed decisions, the role of the subchapter V trustee, the U.S. Trustee guidelines for subchapter V trustees and whether they broaden the role beyond what is set forth in 11 U.S.C. § 1183, what happens when the subchapter V trustee’s role becomes burdensome on small business debtors, and the issues on which a subchapter V trustee has standing to appear before the court.