Asset Sales

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

This panel will present an in-depth discussion as to what rights and obligations a licensor and/or licensee has in a bankruptcy case. Section 365(c)(1), (g) and (n) will be highlighted, as well as the impact that the Sunbeam decision will have on the courts.

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

Asset Sales/Secured Credit Committees: This panel will debate the controversial proposal being considered by the ABI Commission to Study the Reform of Chapter 11 to assess a charge or hold-back on secured lenders for a § 363 asset sale, including the pros and cons, mechanics, application in various circumstances, consequences and policy issues.

Ethics & Professional Compensation/Real Estate Committees: This panel will explore various ethical issues that often arise in a single asset real estate bankruptcy case from the perspectives of the debtor, secured creditor and bankruptcy judge — via an entertaining and interactive fictional case study.

This nuts-and-bolts panel will cover the mechanics of § 363 sales, featuring discussions on pros and cons, current trends and recent cases, with a particular focus on credit-bidding (Fisker, Philly News and Free Lance-Star) and challenges to free-and-clear-sales (GM, Chrysler, Energytec).

Do new opnions suggest doubt about the right of a lender to bid the full value of claims in Chapter 11?