Venue/Jurisdiction

This panel will re-examine the statutory bases for venue, proper and improper, as well as recent and past case law applying those statutory provisions to either keep a case where it was filed to to transfer it to a different district.

Find out the latest happenings in all the Southern Districts. What can impact your practice? What should?

Recent cases have evidenced one form of jurisdictional migration and two forms of venue migration. As to the jurisdictional migration, international companies with virtually no U.S. connection seek to, and generally succeed at, establishing a sufficient U.S. presence to file a Chapter 11 in the United States because, if there are reorganization proceedings in the countries that are their COMIs, they are perceived as inadequate (Marco Polo, Omega, GenMar). What has worked for non-U.S. companies seeking to invoke U.S. Bankruptcy Court jurisdiction, and what is the legal authority? Venue migration is nothing new--debtors file in their place of incorporation rather than the venue in which their headquarters or primary operations are. What are the factors that go into that decision? Finally, sometimes debtors are forced to migrate back. What factors have resulted in a change of venue? (Houghton Mifflin and Patriot Coal).

A panel of judges will discuss current issues that divide the circuits and other hot topics relevant to both consumer and business bankruptcy practitioners.

Professional Development Track: The Dos and Don’ts of Discovery in the Bankruptcy World This panel will explore effective strategies for navigating the world of discovery in bankruptcy cases. Topics will include effective use of 2004 examinations, document subpoenas and deposition testimony, as well as other issues.

Litigation claims are often the most valuable estate assets especially in our growing trend toward liquidating cases. This panel will explore litigation trends, strategies and alternative theories of recovery reflective of the need to focus on litigation in the absence of traditional reorganization. Pick up some helpful trial tips and practice pointers ranging from identifying causes of action, choosing your jurisdiction, engaging professionals, preparing experts and readying yourself for trial.

The core of restructuring in the United States is the value of the entity at various points in time. The valuation of the post-restructured business plan is one of the most contentious yet essential components of restructuring. In the U.S. valuation takes on a strategic and tactical significance. It impacts the form of restructure, sale v. reorganization, and going concern v. liquidation. This panel contrasts approaches used by other jurisdictions around the world.

The panel will discuss attempts to apply creditor protections and applying the concept manifestly against public policy.