Business Reorganization

Third-party releases remain a hot topic in bankruptcy proceedings. Learn what the laws in various circuits have to say about permissible third-party releases, whether bankruptcy courts are deemed to have subject-matter jurisdiction and statutory authority to approve third-party releases as part of confirmation orders approving plans of reorganization, and what standards are imposed by circuit courts to determine whether a third-party release should be approved.

Presented in the style of the ever-popular TED Talks, this year’s ABI Talks will focus on four hot topics: the state of the bankruptcy judiciary, Cinemark, civil contempt issues and venue reform.

On direct appeal, the Third Circuit on Jan. 30 reversed the bankruptcy court and directed the dismissal of the petition that had been filed by LTL Management LLC, the subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson created to file in chapter 11 to deal with talc and asbestos claims arising from the sale of Johnson’s Baby Powder. Although Circuit Judge Thomas Ambro pointedly declined to rule on whether LTL improperly used chapter 11 as a “litigation tactic,” what are the legal steps J&J can take to settle roughly 40,000 cancer lawsuits concerning its talc-based products? A panel of top academics will examine the decision and the issues surrounding J&J's case, and will discuss what could happen with the case moving forward.

This panel will delve into issues involving digital accounts, cryptocurrency and NFTs, including how to getsecured and perfected, how to liquidate, and bankruptcy-specific considerations. The panelists also willdiscuss UCC Article 12 and its impact on the digital-asset world for secured parties, and help practitionersbetter understand the considerations and issues they should be spotting when advising their constituents ondealing with digital assets.

This panel of experts will discuss the latest trends in the wind, coal, and oil and gas industries that havedominated the headlines, with special emphasis on new regulatory issues and changes in the energy market.

This panel will provide an overview of different types of equipment and common valuation methods forthem, various techniques and best practices for marketing equipment, and unique bankruptcy issues relatedto equipment.

This panel will discuss the § 1111(b) election in modern times. It’s not the rule against perpetuities, but it’salso not as simple as your basic loan default. Do you know how to analyze whether making the electionmakes sense? Perhaps more importantly, do you know how to counsel your client through the process?

This panel will explore the supply chain issues that are most prevalent today in various industries, includingthe risk of loss, injunctive relief, adequate protection and debtors in possession, as well as the tensions thatcan occur among customers, suppliers and third parties.

Confirmation Roundtable: Top Tips to Confirm a Chapter 11 PlanThis roundtable will explore choices and strategies in formulating a plan, including classification, thestreamlining tools available under § 105(d), restructuring support agreements, and the murky intersection ofexculpations, releases and injunctions. The panelists will explore these topics with an eye toward sharingpractical tips for obtaining a successful confirmation.