Audio

John Hutton and Henry Jaffe will discuss the recent Second Circuit successor liability decision in the General Motors case, which reversed the decision of the bankruptcy court, and exposed “New GM” to successor liability claims by various categories of plaintiffs who sustained (largely economic) injuries prior to the sale as a result of the ignition switch defect, but did not receive actual notice of the sale. The presenters will discuss the main issues and arguments presented and addressed in the GM successor liability decision, and will discussing the potential impact of the Second Circuit’s ruling. Such issues include: (1) notice/due process (and remedies related thereto), (2) the requirement to show prejudice, and the Second Circuit’s treatment of the prejudice issue; (3) the ability to sell free and clear of in personal liabilities; and (4) equitable mootness.

This session will provide guidance on how to frame your argument, avoid jargon, provide the appropriate statutory framework and strengthen your case when presenting arguments before nonbankruptcy judges.

A panel of eminent U.S. professionals will discuss current trends in U.S. insolvencies and restructurings, explore current legislation, comment on developments in the financial sector for distressed lending and highlight any emerging trends.

This panel will discuss various ethical issues in consumer- and business-related bankruptcy cases and other restructurings.

This panel will feature a roundtable discussion with bankruptcy judges from the Ninth Circuit and across the country. The judges will share their thoughts and perspectives, as well as take questions from the audience, on topics of current interest in both business and consumer cases.

John W. Lucas, Moderator Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP; San Francisco Judicial Debate Resolved: Structured dismissals of chapter 11 cases must always follow the Bankruptcy Code's priority structure. Pro: Hon. August B. Landis U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Nev.); Las Vegas Con: Hon. Deborah L. Thorne U.S. Bankruptcy Court (N.D. Ill.); Chicago Business Debate Resolved, a company deriving income indirectly from marijuana sales that are legal under state law should be eligible for relief under the Bankruptcy Code. Pro: Daniel J. Garfield McAllister Law Office P.C.; Denver Con: Candace C. Carlyon Morris Polich & Purdy LLP; Henderson, Nev. Consumer Debate Resolved: The filing of a Proof of Claim, for a debt on which the statute of limitations has run, is a violation of the FDCPA. Pro: Stephen E. Berken Berken and Associates; Denver Con: Alane A. Becket Becket & Lee, LLP; Malvern, Pa.

In the first decision addressing the point, the Ninth Circuit held that there’s a difference between an insider and a claim held by an insider. The ruling blessed an insider’s sale of a claim, relieving the claim of any taint and allowing the new holder to vote on confirmation. The panel looks at the developing issues on whether the buyer is a nonstatutory insider and whether the plan can be pursued in good faith after such a sale.