2013

This program will focus on the legal and business challenges that faced counsel to a debtor, secured lenders and franchisor in a hotly litigated, modest-sized Chapter 11 in Massachusetts involving a two-tiered ownership of six Planet Fitness franchisees. Filed in 2010 and ending with a confirmed plan in 2012, the case involved shifting allegiances, successive plans, alternative considerations of an asset sale vs a change in equity ownership depending on litigation with the franchisor, and a plethora of challenging issues, including (i) the contested settlement of litigation challenges to one secured creditor, (ii) the potential cram-down of a second secured creditor, (iii) the treatment of leases intended as security, (iv) disputed feasibility, (v) the ability to assume (and assign) the franchise agreements, (vi) whether the franchisor’s right of first refusal was enforceable, (vii) whether de-branding is a real alternative to a continuation of the franchise, (viii) whether the franchisor’s rights were waived during the case, and (ix) claims estimation. See In re Chicago Investments, LLC, 470 B.R. 32 (Bankr. D. Mass. 2012).

Unlike most 363 sale programs, this program will not involve the aspects of the sale that are the focus of court proceedings, but will take an in-depth look at the transaction documents that get the deal done. The primary document discussed with be the APA-what does that document need to accomplish, what provisions should be included, how do APAs used in 363 sales differ from other APAs, what to do about reps and warranties and why and, what are the points of negotiation? Experienced deal-side practitioners will identify the elements of an asset purchase agreement that are important, and the respective views of the buyer and the seller as to those provisions.

This single plenary session will feature a policy-oriented panel discussing the reasons for municipal insolvency nationally, with a particular focus on the New England Region. The panel of highly-experienced government officials, municipal receivers and thought leaders will review and debate the challenges faced by state and local leaders in their efforts to address the financial stress facing many of our cities and towns. Among the issues to be addressed are: the pressures of labor contracts, legacy benefits, and pension and retirement plans on municipal budgets; creditor and bondholder relations; sections of the code that impact these issues; and trends arising from the most recent cases. The panel may also touch on needed Chapter 9 reform. Lawyers, lenders, insolvency specialists, as well as those interested in the future of our cities and towns, will be interested in this program.

Utilizing a case study, ABI's panel of experts will explore issues surrounding a lender's decision on whether or not to make an election under § 1111(b), plan feasibility, and voting. The panel will also walk attendees through the necessary mathematical analysis used to analyze these issues.

Practical pointers on how to deal with student loans in the context of a chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy.

The transformation rule/negative equity, deficiency claims upon surrender of collateral, the applicable commitment period, contract interest, § 1322(b)(1) as it involves fixtures and personal property, and assignments of rent, § 1322(b)(2) as it involves the timing of the analysis.