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Cut to the Core: Supreme Court Curtails Bankruptcy Court Jurisdiction in Stern v. Marshall: Part I

Until the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent 5-4 decision in Stern v. Marshall,[1] it was safe to assume that conversations about Charles Dickens, a Playmate of the Year and an octogenarian billionaire rarely focused on the Constitution’s separation of powers. Now, it is equally safe to assume that most, if not all, will.

Going Native: A Practical Guide to ESI in Native Format

On December 1, 2006, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure were amended to establish rules to govern discovery of electronically stored information (ESI).[1] Courts nationwide have since issued scores of opinions to guide practitioners in applying the amended rules.

The Copy of the Note Is Alright: Using the Best Evidence Rule and Self-Authentication to a Creditor’s Advantage

Nothing is more frustrating to a creditor collecting on a promissory note than having the defendant object to the authenticity and/or admissibility of the note—particularly, in response to a creditor’s summary-judgment motion. Generally, such objections contend that the note is inadmissible as the original copy of the note was not proffered by the creditor and/or the “keeper of the records” designated by the creditor is not a witness with sufficient knowledge to authenticate the note.

Seventh Circuit Hands Secured Lenders a Major Victory - Secured Creditors Have Right to Credit-Bid under Plan Sales

On June 28, 2011, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit affirmed the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Northern District of Illinois’ decision and held that a secured creditor has a statutory right to credit-bid its debt in the sale of assets proposed under a nonconsensual reorganization plan pursuant to § 1129(b)(2)(A) of the Bankruptcy Code. [1] The River Road case is significant for at least two reasons.

Rejecting Late Bids For The Integrity Of The Process

Picture the typical bankruptcy case. The decision is made to sell the assets, and debtor’s counsel drafts bidding procedures to create a framework to generate the highest and best bid for a particular estate asset. The committee and the secured creditors make comments and the court approves the bidding procedures. Potential purchasers review the bidding procedures and line up to make their bids. Auction day arrives, bidding begins and subsequently ends with the naming of the successful bidder. Next stop: court approval. But wait!

Efficiency and Expediency in Sales of De Minimis Assets Cannot Be Achieved at the Expense of Required Protections Under the Bankruptcy Code

Asset sales of substantially all of the assets of a corporate debtor early in a chapter 11 case have become routine.

Efficiency and Expediency in Sales of De Minimis Assets Cannot Be Achieved at the Expense of Required Protections Under the Bankruptcy Code

Asset sales of substantially all of the assets of a corporate debtor early in a chapter 11 case have become routine. Orders approving motions to approve streamlined procedures for sales of de minimis assets in large chapter 11 cases have also become routine. In re Borders Group, Inc. [1] addressed the tension that arises from the understandable desire of debtors to maximize efficiency and expediency in sales of de minimis assets free and clear of liens, claims and encumbrances against the competing desire of buyers for assurance that their purchases are not subject to later attack.