Texas State Approved Sessions

Hosted by ABI's Unsecured Trade Creditors Committee This program will be structured as a case study and will delve into the prosecution and defense sides of a recently settled preference case in which the presenters were involved. The parties will engage in a free-flowing discussion of their respective positions folllwing a brief discussion of the underlying bankruptcy cases. In addition to various aspects of the subsequent new value (paid/unpaid, treatment of § 503(b)(9) and critical-vendor payments, etc.) and ordinary-course-of-business defenses (subjective and objective, including purported payment pressure and a bifurcated set of payment terms, etc.) that are at issue in the vast majority of preference cases, the presenters will also discuss less frequently raised defenses/issues, including, but not limited to, the critical vendor defense, and the impact of (1) pre- and post-petition recoupment/setoff rights on a defendant’s § 502(h) claim, and (2) a material unpaid post-administrative claim on the parties’ settlement strategy and related positions.

Last year, two very different cases achieved substantial returns to equityholders: Hertz and Garrett Motion. This panel will review how Hertz and Garrett Motion were able to achieve this result, including the circumstances that brought these companies to chapter 11 and the value-maximization strategies employed, the auction processes in each case, and how future tort claims were valued. The panel will also hold a broader discussion regarding the financial advisor’s role in the chapter 11 process from inception to exit.

This panel will discuss recurring issues related to mass tort cases, including the automatic stay, third-party releases (Sun Edision, Midway Gold, Purdue), venue-selection and estimation. The panelists will also offer an analysis of such key recurring issues as the use and propriety of bankruptcy for solvent debtors, and bankruptcy abuse vs. bankruptcy planning.

This panel will cover developments in cross-border restructurings, including the increasing trend in chapter 11 filings by international companies and resulting jurisdictional issues, the rollout of the EU directive and its impact on the international restructuring landscape, and potential challenges to recognition of a U.K. Part 26(A) “Super Scheme" in the U.S. Additional developments in chapter 15 case law will also be discussed.

This panel will look at ethical issues that arise in the context of bankruptcy proceedings, including protecting common interest privilege and retaining and compensating professionals. Panelists will discuss recent cases and share best practices.

Despite the headwinds created by the global pandemic, economic activity has been in full swing. Economic growth during the pandemic generally surpassed expectations, with favorable lending conditions and consumers and businesses maintaining a surprising level of activity. The enormous legislative response to the pandemic was responsible for the strength of the economy, but labor shortages, supply disruption and inflation have become real concerns. The Russian invasion into Ukraine in February has only exacerbated these risks. Given this backdrop, this panel of distinguished investors will discuss the state of distressed investing, including where they currently see opportunities, their thoughts on the credit cycle, and what might drive the next wave of defaults.

This panel will cover convertible DIPs (LatAm, AeroMexico and Avianca) and sub rosa plans through DIPs. The panel will also discuss post-petition financing issues and protections for secured lenders, including how adequate protection is meant to work, and the ways in which judges are deploying it.

This panel will discuss Code impairment and post-petition interest, provide an update on gerrymandering (including a examination of Consolidated Land Holdings LLC), and review third-party releases and the different outcomes that have occurred in different circuits.

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.