July 11, 2024

Owning a Marijuana Business Doesn’t Disqualify the Owner from Being in Chapter 7

Bankruptcy Judge Montali didn’t toss an individual out of chapter 7 just because he owned two LLCs that sold marijuana at retail.

9th Circuit, California, California Northern District

January 24, 2023

Bankruptcy Judge Reflects on ‘Leverage-Shifting’ In Denying a Nondebtor Injunction

Bankruptcy Judge William Lafferty declined (for now) to halt suits against nondebtor affiliates for lack of an adequate record to justify a preliminary injunction.

9th Circuit, California, California Northern District

June 12, 2019

San Francisco Judge Slaps Down FERC on Rejection of Power Purchase Agreements

Judge Montali accuses FERC of a power grab to take the bankruptcy court’s right to rule on the rejection of executory contracts.

9th Circuit, California, California Northern District

June 06, 2019

Electric Utility’s Customers Denied Official Committee Status in Chapter 11

Are utility customers entitled to an official committee because they will fund the reorganization plan? Judge Montali says ‘no.’

9th Circuit, California, California Northern District

March 14, 2019

Adversary Proceeding to Enjoin FERC Remains in Bankruptcy Court

District judge won’t withdraw the reference when PG&E rejects power purchase agreements.

9th Circuit, California, California Northern District

May 15, 2018

Specific Personal Jurisdiction Exists over a Foreign Transferee in a Ponzi Scheme

Judge Lafferty lays out the standards for specific personal jurisdiction over a foreign defendant who received stolen property.

9th Circuit, California, California Northern District

February 16, 2018

California District Judge Requires Property in the U.S. to File Chapter 15

A security retainer held by a foreign liquidator’s U.S. counsel satisfies the chapter 15 requirement of property in the U.S.

9th Circuit, California, California Northern District

May 26, 2017

Even Without the One-Day-Late Rule, Tax Liability Still Wasn’t Discharged

A tax return late by three years wasn’t ‘honest and reasonable.’

9th Circuit, California, California Northern District

August 30, 2016

Ninth Circuit to Rule on ‘Related To’ Removal of Securities Lawsuits

Ninth Circuit can split with the Second on bar to removal of suits under the ’33 Securities Act.

9th Circuit, California, California Northern District

August 18, 2016

Diverting Assets after Confirmation Does Not Give Rise to ‘Core’ Claims

A ‘profound impact’ on an estate does not by itself result in a ‘core’ claim.

9th Circuit, California, California Northern District