2016

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 address a variety of current issues including “disinterestedness” and “the 1% Rule,” attempted workarounds in the aftermath of Baker Botts v. ASARCO LLC and other ethical challenges, along with guidance under various applicable Rules of Professional Conduct, such as rules regarding fees (RPC 1.5), confidentiality (RPC 1.6), conflicts of interest (RPC 1.7) and candor with the court (RPC 3.3).

This panel will delve into recent trends in breach-of-duty litigation against officers and directors, developments in Delaware fiduciary duty case law that bankruptcy lawyers should know about, standing to assert D&O claims, the in pari delicto defense, D&O insurance coverage issues, breach-of-duty claims against lenders, and D&O litigation involving private-equity funds. Cases to be discussed include Liberty State Benefits of Delaware Inc., MF Global Holdings Ltd. and SGK Ventures LLC.

Great Debates Paul M. Nussbaum, Moderator Whiteford Taylor Preston, LLP; Baltimore Resolved: A structured dismissal that violates the absolute priority rule should never be permitted. Pro: Craig Goldblatt WilmerHale; Washington, D.C. Con: Hon. Kevin J. Carey U.S. Bankruptcy Court (D. Del.); Wilmington Resolved: Asset sales under § 363 should lawfully be free and clear of successor-liability claims. Pro: Hon. Robert E. Gerber (ret.) U.S. Bankruptcy Court (S.D.N.Y.); New York Con: William P. Weintraub Goodwin Procter LLP; New York

This panel will explore a variety of issues related to plan confirmation, including artificial impairment (Village Green I, GP v. Federal National Mortgage Association), cramdown interest rates/subordination/make-whole provisions (MPM Silicones) and third-party releases (Millennium Lab Holdings).

Are lenders finding strategies to avoid the Code’s landlord protections? This panel will explore whether a debtor’s obligation to timely perform is being honored, rejection/assumption rules modified in DIP orders, use of nunc pro tunc rejection to minimize claims, and other issues in today’s retail cases.