April 26, 2023

Supreme Court Hears Oral Argument on Tribal Sovereign Immunity

It appears as though the Supreme Court will decide Lac du Flambeau based entirely on textual analysis of Section 106(a), which does not explicitly abrogate sovereign immunity as to Native American tribes.

Supreme Court

April 14, 2023

Second Circuit Won’t Vacate the Stay Pending Appeal from Voyager’s Confirmation Order

A terse Second Circuit order seems to mean that a stay of a confirmation order pending appeal granted in district court can’t be appealed to the circuit, at least when the appeal is being expedited.

2nd Circuit

April 11, 2023

Judge Klein Charts the Path for Discharging Student Loans and Not Being Reversed

Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Klein provides authority for student loan debtors who win in bankruptcy court but face an appeal aimed at the trial court’s fact-findings.

9th Circuit, California, California Eastern District

April 05, 2023

Rebuffed in Bankruptcy Court, the Government Wins a Stay of Voyager’s Confirmation

The U.S. Attorney argued in district court that the Voyager plan would bar the government from enforcing federal regulations and criminal laws.

2nd Circuit, New York, New York Southern District

March 21, 2023

Another Court Won’t Permit a Structured Sale to Eradicate a Homestead Exemption

Subordinated lenders can’t take a ‘haircut,’ give a ‘tip’ to the trustee, sell a home and eradicate the debtor’s homestead exemption.

4th Circuit, North Carolina, North Carolina Western District

January 25, 2023

Fourth and Third Circuits Give Priority to Obamacare’s Individual Mandate Penalty

The Fourth Circuit sides with the Third on the Affordable Care Act’s ‘individual mandate.’ Majority says it was a tax measured by income, thus giving the IRS a priority tax claim.

4th Circuit

January 18, 2023

Supreme Court to Hear Two More Bankruptcy Cases This Term

The high court will decide whether a real estate tax foreclosure can violate the Takings Clause and whether Section 106 abrogates sovereign immunity as to Native American tribes.

Supreme Court

November 23, 2022

Ninth Circuit Splits on Avoiding and Preserving a Lien on Exempt Property

The Ninth Circuit dissenter interpreted the statute to mean that the debtor must pay a tax lien twice if the lien was avoided and preserved.

9th Circuit

November 04, 2022

Differences Between Judicial and Statutory Liens Explained by Judge Heston

Only judicial liens that impair exemptions may be avoided under Section 522(f)(1).

9th Circuit, Washington, Washington Western District

October 26, 2022

Sixth Circuit Holds that Tax Foreclosure Violates the Takings Clause of the Constitution

If tax foreclosures violate the Takings Clause, it stands to reason that they are also fraudulent transfers.

6th Circuit