Business Reorganization

Nearly two years have passed since Judge Walrath's September 2011 decision in Washington Mutual threatened to drastically alter the landscape of high-level financial restructuring negotiations. Since then, there have been few further developments in the case law to guide would-be participants in such negotiations. This panel will explore the legal and practical implications of obtaining confidential information in the course of restructuring transaction negotiations, including (1) whether the WaMu decision has had any lasting effects, or whether it has been superseded by subsequent events both in the WaMu case itself and in other major restructuring transactions; (2) how principals and professionals can best protect themselves in negotiating confidentiality agreements; and (3) the requirements for effective "cleansing" when settlement negotiations break down.

A Preview of upcoming Supreme Court bankruptcy cases, featuring ABI Resident Scholar Kara Bruce talking with Eric Brunstad of Dechert LLP (Hartford, Conn.) to preview the bankruptcy cases that the Supreme Court will consider during its 2013 term. Brunstad, who has argued many cases before the Court and is an expert in bankruptcy appellate practice, discusses in depth Law v. Siegel, which questions whether the court may use its general equitable authority under §105 of the Bankruptcy Code to surcharge a debtor's exempt assets, and Executive Benefits Insurance Agency v. Arkison (In re Bellingham), which will address the bankruptcy court's authority to adjudicate Article III matters. He also provides a candid view of what it is like to argue a case before the Court and an in-depth analysis of the issues involved with the upcoming cases. Here is a short preview:

Business

Plenary Session

Luncheon Presentation: Sponsored by MorrisAnderson

Is chapter 11 the optimal way to liquidate law firms? Jewel v. Boxer claims, drafting suggestions for releases of partners. Non CLE.

This panel includes practitioners and a distinguished bankruptcy judge who will survey current business bankruptcy developments, including a wide range of issues from bankruptcy courts’ jurisdiction, venue and constitutional authority to other practical issues affecting estate professionals, plan confirmation and enforcement, avoidance actions and other bankruptcy-related litigation.

The new U.S. Trustee Fee Guidelines will affect all attorneys and firms who work on larger chapter 11 cases filed on or after November 1st. ABI's panel of experts, including the Director of the EOUST, will discuss some of the ways the new guidelines may change day-to-day operations in firms, issues relating to the new market rate benchmarks, and how these changes might alter insolvency practice. Register today to hear government, attorney and academic perspectives on this important and timely topic.

This panel will explore issues that arise during the operation of commercial chapter 7 cases and how they are being addressed by bankruptcy judges, trustees and attorneys.

This panel will explore the basics of chapter 11 cases through the lenses of bankruptcy judges, U.S. Trustees, debtor's counsel, unsecured creditors’ committees and individual creditors. There will also be a particular focus on litigation strategies and skills, as chapter 11 filings continue to be more sale-oriented, resulting in a greater emphasis on claims and avoidance litigation.