2015 New York City Bankruptcy Conference

Past valuation panels have focused on the three traditional methods for determining the enterprise value of an operating business: DCF, comparable company and comparable transaction. This panel will focus on sources of value or reductions in value that are sometimes disregarded, such as excess cash and working capital, underutilized real estate and hard assets, claims and other contingent assets, insurance claims, intellectual property portfolios, discontinued businesses and NOLs. Normalizing adjustments are also discussed, including those related to above-market compensation, insider contracts, and underinvestment in capital plan and brand equity

Equitable mootness, releases, resuscitation of discharged claims, etc. (Owens Corning); § 1129(a)(10) in multi-debtor nonconsolidated cases (Charter, Tribune); treatment of make-whole provisions in a plan (Chemtura); facial nonconfirmability; vote designation; post-filing lock-up agreements

Equitable mootness, releases, resuscitation of discharged claims, etc. (Owens Corning); § 1129(a)(10) in multi-debtor nonconsolidated cases (Charter, Tribune); treatment of make-whole provisions in a plan (Chemtura); facial nonconfirmability; vote designation; post-filing lock-up agreements

Fraudulent conveyance post-TOUSA; direct/indirect benefit; § 550(d); update on in pari delicto; clearing firm as initial transferee in Ponzi scheme (Goldman Sachs v. Bayou); update on case law (e.g., Stern v. Marshall and Madoff); pre-emption (TOUSA, Tribune, Lyondell); safe harbors; insurance issues (sequencing of claims in litigation, policy exclusions, DIP/committee same as pre-petition insured?); venue (Patriot, HMH)

Fraudulent conveyance post-TOUSA; direct/indirect benefit; § 550(d); update on in pari delicto; clearing firm as initial transferee in Ponzi scheme (Goldman Sachs v. Bayou); update on case law (e.g., Stern v. Marshall and Madoff); pre-emption (TOUSA, Tribune, Lyondell); safe harbors; insurance issues (sequencing of claims in litigation, policy exclusions, DIP/committee same as pre-petition insured?); venue (Patriot, HMH)

Much has changed in the world of corporate restructuring since the Bankruptcy Code was passed in 1978. ABI's review commission has been operating since last April, gathering information about whether and how corporate bankruptcy law could be reformed to make the process more effective and result in greater maximization of values for all stakeholders. Hear about the process, and the policies under review, from the Commission co-chair and three others from the 20-member Commission.

Legal and cultural investor considerations in specific European jurisdictions (e.g., U.K., Germany and Spain); how the option of U.S. chapter 11 influences investor outcomes; update on the status of bankruptcy reforms in European jurisdictions; multi-jurisdictional issues within European restructurings; how the distressed market functions and impacts restructurings (liquidity, transparency, etc.)

How does a U.S. court deal with allegations that a foreign proceeding or judicial system is flawed or corrupt?; dealing with “corporate groups”; the continuing saga of Nortel, Vitro and Elpida; cooperation and enforcement of judgments

How to manage the public side of a chapter 11 case, dealing with customers, vendors, employees, union members, press, shareholders, etc.; use of websites and public relations firms; FAQs; comfort orders and confidentiality restrictions

Managing law firm failure pre-bankruptcy; partner clawback claims and settlements; fair value and other partner defenses; unfinished-business doctrine (Jewel v. Boxer); partner duties to clients, including treatment of client files; WARN Act issues