Business Bankruptcy
Alternative Debtor Management? Discharge Your Fiduciary Duty at $1,155 Per Hour!
Examining the “Fiduciary for Hire” and the NRA’s Bad Faith Bankruptcy “When in doubt, mumble, when in trouble, delegate, when in charge, ponder.” – James H. Boren, When In Doubt, Mumble: A Bureaucrat’s Handbook (1972) Business entity debtors in chapter 11 cases come in all shapes and sizes, with varying degrees of integrity and competence […]
The Nuts & Bolts of Ipso Facto Clauses and Golden Share Arrangements That May Sidestep the Bankruptcy Code’s Prohibition
When are Ipso Facto Clauses and Golden Share Arrangements Enforceable in Bankruptcy? “Termination on bankruptcy” provisions—ipso facto clauses—are commonly used in many types of business contracts, providing for the termination of the contract (either automatic or at the non-debtor party’s election) upon the obligor’s filing of bankruptcy or the occurrence of similar events or conditions. […]
How to Protect Your IP Rights When Your Licensor Files for Bankruptcy
What Companies Can Do to Protect Their IP Rights in Bankruptcy The Kodak case brought into sharp focus the treatment of intellectual property rights in bankruptcy. Inventor of the roll-film hand camera in 1888 and maker of the first digital camera, the iconic company licensed thousands of patents in its extensive patent portfolio, estimated at […]
What Secured Lenders Should Know If Their Borrower Files for Bankruptcy
When a Borrower Files for Bankruptcy, How Can Secured Lenders Protect Their Position? As a secured lender, you should know well in advance the necessary details if a borrower files bankruptcy. Let us presume therefore that, from consultations with your borrower, it is clear that the borrower is in distress: The borrower is likely unable […]
Dealing with Corporate Distress 08: Preventing Forest Fires with First Day Motions in Chapter 11
The ABCs of ABCs, Business Bankruptcy & Corporate Restructuring/Insolvency In this installment, we take you on a tour of the time leading up to the filing of a chapter 11 case and the days that immediately follow. Mostly, we’re referring to first day motions. Before we dive into first day motions, however, you should understand […]
Solvent Debtor? A Chapter 11 Debtor Need Not Be Broke
A Solvent Debtor Can File for Bankruptcy…but Can They Survive a Motion for Dismissal? Suppose that your borrower or customer files for chapter 11 bankruptcy. You do not like this, because you’ll almost certainly not collect the full amount owed to you. In fact, to get anything at all, you’ll have to get involved with […]
Chapter 15 Bankruptcy: A Concise Overview
What Is the Purpose of Chapter 15 Bankruptcy? Bankruptcies are global fixtures, ones not necessarily restricted by borders. A company that files for insolvency protection in the Caribbean, Europe or the Far East may also have assets and interests elsewhere, like New York or Miami. Under those circumstances, the debtor’s representative may need the assistance […]
How a Distressed Company Can Manage Cash and Stakeholders in a Liquidity Crisis
Considerations for Companies in a Cash Crisis A liquidity crisis is a severe financial situation in which a company does not have enough cash or cash-convertible assets, which can lead to defaults and bankruptcy. Managing cash is critical when working to preserve or maintain solvency in order to maximize opportunities for a successful turnaround or […]
Which Creditors Get Paid First? The Liquidation Order of (Absolute) Priority
What is the Hierarchy of Claims Under the Absolute Priority Rule? If you are a vendor, service provider, or another unsecured creditor to a chapter 11 debtor, you cannot be blamed for feeling like a duped lover after learning about the bankruptcy of your once devoted business companion. Despite the promises of “I’ll stand by […]
Dealing with Corporate Distress 07: Chapter 11 is Not Always the Answer: Strategic Alternatives For and Against Distressed Businesses
The ABCs of ABCs, Business Bankruptcy, & Corporate Restructuring/Insolvency In Installment 5, we walked through the lifecycle of a hypothetical traditional chapter 11, and in Installment 6 we discussed key concepts you must comprehend in order to understand any chapter 11 case. Now we pull the camera back and turn our focus away from chapter […]