Business Reorganization

Uniform Law on Assignment for Benefit of Creditors

I'm on the Uniform Law Commission's Drafting Committee for a uniform law on assignments for benefit of creditors. I'll discuss the uniform law process and provide information on assignment for benefit of creditors issues, how those issues relate to bankruptcy, and the potential for a uniform law thereon. Under the laws of most states, assignment for benefit of creditors ("ABC") is an unutilized, or under-utilized, tool. That's because most states either, (i) have no ABC statute, or (ii) have ABC statutes with poison-pill provisions that no one wants to use. I'll discuss how a uniform law will make the ABC tool available and usable and its connection with bankruptcy. Business Suggested Speakers Donald Swanson don.swanson@koleyjessen.com Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O.

Great Debates Topic: "Resolved, a creditors committee has the unconditional right to intervene in an adversary proceeding."

There is a clear split of authority on this issue, with the First, Second, and Third Circuits in the majority, and the Fifth Circuit (and me) in the minority. See In re Bal Harbour Quarzo, LLC, 638 B.R. 660 (Bankr. S.D. Fla. 2022). Attendees will hear arguments on both sides of this issue, including policy and practical concerns raised by each position. Business Suggested Speakers Scott Grossman smgrossman@flsb.uscourts.gov U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Florida

Judge Harner Gives Contours to the Amorphous Notion of ‘New Value’

The ‘new value’ offered by old equity in a chapter 11 plan was insufficient because it was only a small fraction of claims and because the dividend to creditors was also small.