2021

This panel will examine creditors vs. creditors in liability-management transactions (Boardriders, Serta, Travelport, Trimark), collective actions and credit bidding (Speedcast, Alta Masa, Empire Generating, Allied), strict foreclosure in light of TIA 316(b) (CNH Diversified Opportunities v. Cleveland Unlimited), de facto claim-subordination (La Paloma), rights preserved for junior creditors under an intercreditor agreement (do the exceptions swallow the rule (Claires, Momentive)?), and practical considerations such as coordination agreements, unitranche facilities and CLOs in restructurings.

This panel will discuss the disposition of restructured equity, including § 1145 and other limitations and exemptions; selecting and managing post-restructured boards, and how to assemble a new board with a view toward maximizing value; issues attendant to the recruitment of pertinent and qualified directors; departures from rent-a-director; use of independent directors on a new board; granting of observer rights; perspectives of being a member of a well-run post-restructured board; shareholder voting and control considerations, including minority rights; incentivizing management through MIPs, KEIPs/KERPs and employment agreement considerations (e.g., CoC/severance); fostering long-term shareholder value; antitrust issues; and public vs. private emergence.

This panel will discuss common valuation challenges and responses, and provide insight into piecing together multiple valuation techniques. The panelists will also touch upon identifying reasonable comps for similar companies and precedent transactions, reliance on/restating projections, and where valuation and liquidation analyses blend together, including non-cash-flowing assets.

COVID-19 severely impacted the way in which bankruptcy lawyers and judges handle litigation consistent with the needs of distressed companies. Learn what aspects of bankruptcy litigation were affected, procedurally and substantively, and what lessons we took away and are likely to keep for the future of practicing in this unique forum. Hear from experts who were on the bankruptcy front lines about what strategies were affected and in what ways. This panel also will cover topics ranging from access to courts, to the increased use of inherent judicial power, to virtual trials, to valuation and compromise in uncertain (unprecedented) times, to recent developments in avoidance actions.

What do attorneys and other professionals need to know when preparing chapter 11 liquidation plans? This panel will discuss selecting a trust, LLC, plan administrator or other vehicle; ensuring that affirmative claims are preserved post-confirmation; searching for unencumbered assets; negotiating carve-outs; establishing a value/tax basis in litigation claims and other assets transferred to a trust or LLC; key plan provisions such as preserving 2004 discovery rights, creditor oversight, continuing court oversight, required reporting and retention/transfer of attorney/client privilege; trading of interests; provisions for closing the case; and structured dismissals following asset sales as an alternative to a liquidating plan.

This roundtable will introduce new judges, provide updates from the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York (and surrounding areas) about court rules and practices, and discuss topics of general interest to the bar.

Are there limits to “free and clear” (GM)? This panel will discuss sales free and clear of leasehold interests, restrictive covenants and override royalties; conflicts between §§ 365 and 363(f) (lease- or license-stripping); assets free and clear of successorship in CBAs; selling free and clear of environmental liabilities (La Paloma, Exide); loan-to-own strategies; and the treatment of breakup fees (C&K Market, EFH).

This panel will focus on different strategies sponsors are using to retain control (or at least put a stake through) the bankruptcy process. What are the risks to sponsors/litigation issues? The panelists will also discuss fiduciary duties, managing conflicts and retaining separate counsel, the interplay between corporate governance and aggressive sponsor action (e.g., selling or spinning/stripping-off assets), sponsor affiliates purchasing debt in the portfolio company’s capital structure, and 10b-5 compliance, as well as negotiating/litigating with a difficult board. This session also includes a discussion of issues that arise when dealing with a challenging board of directors, especially those where some or all directors have been appointed by a controlling shareholder.

This panel will discuss financing orders, milestones and other case management through the DIP facility. What should be allowed for case management by secured creditors via DIP-financing and/or cash-collateral orders, including the case milestones? What terms are and should be acceptable in first-day cash-collateral and DIP-financing orders (Aegean) — too much control, or simply adequate protection? What does it take for a third party to prime? This session will also focus on structural priming, including by taking liens on unencumbered foreign assets (Hexion), using DIP financing as a tool to protect pre-petition debt, the use of roll-ups, the ratio of new money to roll-up that is necessary/“market”, justifying a zero-new-money roll-up (EP Energy), providing a secured term loan pre-bankruptcy and using the proceeds as cash collateral, and rolling up pre-filing emergency loans (Westmoreland).

Join this session for a discussion on plan vs. statutory impairment (Ultra, PG&E), treatment of third-party releases/plan proponents (Millennium (3d Cir.), SunEdison and other recent S.D.N.Y./Del. Decisions; Emerge and Cloud Peak (Del.)), and classification (Novinda (10th Cir. BAP, litigation claims against a creditor justifies separate classification from other unsecureds)). Should all similarly situated creditors have the right to participate in rights offerings, financings, etc. (PacDrilling, Peabody)? The panelists will also discuss feasibility in light of the return of debtors to bankruptcy (including in the energy and retail space). Are reorganizations being rubber-stamped too easily?