Business Reorganization

This panel will focus on drafting skills for bankruptcy and restructuring attorneys. It is intended to provide a practical “how to” discussion and analysis of negotiating and drafting chapter 11 sale documents and pleadings, including asset-purchase agreements, bid-procedure motions and orders, sale motions and orders, and related documents. The session will also provide form documents and discuss heavily negotiated or scrutinized provisions.

All constituents in the chapter 11 plan process want their reorganized debtors to be wildly successful. This panel will focus on how the chapter 11 process can be used to satisfy the feasibility standard in § 1129(a), with an emphasis on avoiding subsequent filings, and will outline the top 10 tricks to improve feasibility.

With the legalization of marijuana in many states, there are now large numbers of individuals and businesses that derive their income from growing and selling marijuana and from other business activities related to marijuana. This session addresses the issues that emerge when individuals and businesses in this industry encounter financial problems. What are the sources of governing law (state/federal)? Is bankruptcy an option? How are marijuana-related income and assets treated? What are a bankruptcy trustee’s rights and responsibilities in dealing with a marijuana-related business? What ethical issues arise for attorneys representing individuals and entities in this industry? How does the U.S. Trustee’s Office address these issues in light of the conflict between federal law and some states’ laws? What is the direction of the developing body of bankruptcy case law regarding this industry?

This panel will focus on perspectives from various constituents and factors for consideration.

This panel will feature a roundtable discussion with bankruptcy judges from the Ninth Circuit and across the country, who will share their thoughts and perspectives — and take questions from the audience — on topics of current interest in both business and consumer cases.

The relaxation of marijuana statutes in many states may present financial opportunities for investors, with high rates of return and better-paying job opportunities for individuals. As with any emerging industry, consolidation and competition will create winners and losers. Whether investors, landlords, trade vendors and employees involved in the cannabis industry can restructure their debts in bankruptcy court, or even participate in a bankruptcy plan, depends on the extent of their connection to the cannabis industry. This panel will explore recent case law on the subject matter and alternative business-restructuring options when bankruptcy is not available, such as receiverships and assignments for the benefit of creditors. The panel will also address relevant consumer bankruptcy issues, including whether an individual employed in the cannabis industry may utilize chapter 13 to formulate and complete a plan.

This panel will address best practices and evidentiary issues regarding the testimony of experts. The issues will be presented in a mock-examination format with audience participation.

This panel will discuss several leading bankruptcy cases making the headlines, and some of the issues, decisions and challenges unique to those cases.

Provocative Ideas Worth Spreading in the Bankruptcy Community: • Divisive Mergers • Retail Bankruptcies: Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going • Derivatives in Bankruptcy: The Basics • New UST Fees and Their Potential Impact