June 04, 2018

Bankruptcy Judge Regulates the Unregulated Debt-Reduction Service Industry

Section 502(b)(4) shields debtors from overreaching lawyers in a new context.

2nd Circuit, New York, New York Eastern District

June 04, 2018

A False Statement About One Asset Isn’t Grounds for Nondischargeability, Supreme Court Rules

High court resolves a circuit split on Section 523(a)(2)(B) and the meaning of “financial condition.”

Supreme Court

June 01, 2018

GM Ignition Switch Litigation Makes Law on Punitive Damages and Law of the Case

Ten years later, courts are still sorting out who’s liable for Old GM’s failure to disclose a known defect.

2nd Circuit, New York, New York Southern District

June 01, 2018

District Court Allows 401(k) Contributions in Chapter 13 Up to the IRS Limits

Lower courts split three ways on 401(k) contributions and the calculation of disposable income in chapter 13.

5th Circuit, Louisiana, Louisiana Western District

May 31, 2018

Ninth Circuit Widens Split on Failure to Object and Standing to Appeal

Although there may be standing to appeal, failure to object can bar an appeal under doctrines of waiver or forfeiture.

9th Circuit

May 31, 2018

Penalties for Fraud Are Nondischargeable Despite Chapter 13’s ‘Superdischarge’

Fraudsters get no sympathy from the Sixth Circuit on dischargeability.

6th Circuit

May 30, 2018

Like the Second Circuit, Florida Judge Bars Arbitrating a Class Suit for Discharge Violations

Supreme Court’s subsequent Epic decision casts doubt on opinions overriding arbitration agreements in the bankruptcy context.

11th Circuit, Florida, Florida Middle District

May 30, 2018

Supreme Court Again Refuses to Define a ‘Transfer’ or an ‘Initial Transferee’

Circuit splits persist because the Supreme Court ducks fraudulent transfer cases.

Supreme Court

May 29, 2018

Fourth Circuit Holds Local Rule Invalid for Dispensing with a Hearing

Fourth Circuit again shows itself to be a debtor-friendly venue.

4th Circuit

May 29, 2018

Stern Held Inapplicable to Orders Denying Summary Judgment

Delaware district judge explains why Stern doesn’t confer the equivalent of an appeal from an interlocutory order.

3rd Circuit, Delaware