Claims

Speakers: Roy S. Kobert, Moderator GrayRobinson; Orlando 1. Unbundling the Sticks: Can Debtor Counsel Limit Scope of Representation? PRO: James H. Cossitt James H. Cossitt, PC; Kalispell, Mont. CON: Guy G. Gebhardt Office of the U.S. Trustee; Atlanta 2. Eat Dirt! Can Secured Lenders be Forced to Take Title? CON: Lynn Welter Sherman Adams and Reese LLP; Tampa PRO: Harley E. Riedel Stichter, Riedel, Blain & Prosser, PA; Tampa 3. Welcome to the Laundromat! Can 363 Orders Scrub all Future Claims? PRO: John A. Anthony Anthony and Partners; Tampa CON: Elizabeth A. Green BakerHostetler; Orlando

In 2009, Fairfield Sentry Ltd.’s liquidators commenced litigation in the BVI and the U.S. to recover more than $6 billion from redeeming investors. This panel discussion will discuss the basis for clawback claims generally, the recent decision by the Privy Council, and the impact of the decision for trustees, liquidators and redeeming investors going forward.

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

The U.S. Supreme Court will decide three bankruptcy cases this term: (1) Executive Benefits Insurance Agency v. Arkison, which addresses the constitutionality of the district court referral system for bankruptcy cases and consent to jurisdiction where separation of powers is at issue; (2) Clark v. Rameker, which involves the availability of exemptions for inherited IRAs; and (3) Law v. Siegel, which deals with a bankruptcy court’s authority under § 105 to surcharge exemptions. In each of these cases, either the parties are represented by First Circuit practitioners and law firms, or the underlying circuit splits involve precedents from the First Circuit. This panel will offer an insider’s view of the issues and outcomes.

The claims trading marketplace has been growing rapidly over the past several years and has become commonplace in most significant chapter 11 cases. Fueling this activity are private-equity and hedge funds with varying motives and interests. This panel will explore the types of trades taking place and the mechanics of claims trading, and examine the influence that hedge funds are having on chapter 11 practice, as well as their practical impact when this “new” constituent has a seat at the table.

The workshop features Chief Bankruptcy Judges Dennis R. Dow (W.D. Mo.), C. Ray Mullins (N.D. Ga.), Brendan Linehan Shannon (D. Del.), Cecilia G. Morris (S.D.N.Y), and Barbara J. Houser (N.D. Tex.), who will discuss recent circuit splits and hot topics, including the application of the absolute priority rule in individual chapter 11 cases, artificial impairment, structured dismissals, intellectual property licenses, equitable disallowance and § 502(d) issues, and more.

The workshop features Chief Bankruptcy Judges Dennis R. Dow (W.D. Mo.), C. Ray Mullins (N.D. Ga.), Brendan Linehan Shannon (D. Del.), Cecilia G. Morris (S.D.N.Y), and Barbara J. Houser (N.D. Tex.), who will discuss recent circuit splits and hot topics, including the application of the absolute priority rule in individual chapter 11 cases, artificial impairment, structured dismissals, intellectual property licenses, equitable disallowance and § 502(d) issues, and more.

The workshop features Chief Bankruptcy Judges Dennis R. Dow (W.D. Mo.), C. Ray Mullins (N.D. Ga.), Brendan Linehan Shannon (D. Del.), Cecilia G. Morris (S.D.N.Y), and Barbara J. Houser (N.D. Tex.), who will discuss recent circuit splits and hot topics, including the application of the absolute priority rule in individual chapter 11 cases, artificial impairment, structured dismissals, intellectual property licenses, equitable disallowance and § 502(d) issues, and more.