July 01, 2020

The Ninth Circuit and the BAP Draw Opposite Conclusions from the Same Testimony

For the circuit court, scant evidence is enough to uphold the trial court’s findings of fact.

9th Circuit

June 29, 2020

Government Notches 4 Victories, Debtors Win Once, in Fights over PPP ‘Loans’

Government often wins by arguing that the Small Business Act prohibits injunctions forcing the SBA to consider granting ‘PPP’ loans without regard to whether the applicant is a chapter 11 debtor.

5th Circuit

June 26, 2020

No Contempt for the IRS on Discharge Without Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies

Is Taggart just a defense that can be waived, or must a debtor plead and prove ‘no objectively reasonable basis’ in a motion for contempt of discharge?

2nd Circuit, New York, New York Southern District

June 24, 2020

Fifth Circuit Bars Debtors from Receiving ‘PPP’ Loans Under the CARES Act

In a rapid-fire appeal, the Fifth Circuit ruled that the Small Business Act bars bankruptcy courts from enjoining the SBA.

5th Circuit

June 24, 2020

Appeal Heads Toward the Fourth Circuit on Arbitration of Discharge Violations

Eventually, the Supreme Court will decide whether bankruptcy is a unique exception to the general rule that arbitration agreements are rigorously enforced.

4th Circuit, South Carolina

June 23, 2020

New York Decision Shows that Merit Management Is a Dead Letter

The expansive definition of a ‘financial institution’ allows fraudulent transfers to be structured so that no one will ever be held liable.

2nd Circuit, New York, New York Southern District

June 22, 2020

Beware: Closing a Case Quickly Can Preclude Filing New Avoidance Actions

Judge Thuma describes nonstatutory exceptions to the statutes of limitations in Sections 546(a) and 550(f).

10th Circuit, New Mexico

June 19, 2020

Second Circuit Nixes Nationwide Class Actions for Discharge Violations

Second Circuit says that later Supreme Court authority did not undermine the appeals court’s prior decision that creditors cannot compel arbitration of discharge violations.

2nd Circuit

June 17, 2020

Debtors and the SBA Fight to a Draw Last Week on PPP ‘Loans’

Courts still have no consensus about debtors’ right to receive PPP ‘loans’ under the Cares Act.

11th Circuit, Florida, Florida Northern District

June 16, 2020

Subchapter V Trustee Barred from Routine Retention of Counsel

Bankruptcy Judge David Warren warns small business trustees that they won’t be compensated if they are “overzealous” or undertake “unnecessary or duplicative services.”

4th Circuit, North Carolina, North Carolina Eastern District