SCOTUS Determines Trademark Licensee’s Rights Survive Rejection by Debtor in Bankruptcy

A debtor has the right to assume or reject any executory contract or unexpired lease through its bankruptcy, pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code. A trademark license is an executory contract that is subject to assumption or rejection if performance remains due from both parties to the contract. A debtor will reject a trademark license if […]

Read More

Delaware Court Holds Environmental Claim of Unknown Claimant Discharged by Chapter 11 Plan

Addressing unknown future claims in a chapter 11 bankruptcy involves two competing concerns: (a) providing a debtor with a fresh start and (b) providing an unwitting claimant with due process. These competing concerns clash when a debtor seeks to confirm its plan of reorganization, which is intended to provide remedies to all the debtor’s creditors […]

Read More

Fifth Circuit Holds that Chapter 11 Plan Does not “Impair” Claimants by Denying Make-Whole Rights and Contractual Interest

In Keystone Gas Gathering, L.L.C. v. Ad Hoc Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Ultra Resources, Incorporated (In re Ultra Petroleum Corporation), Case No. 17-20793, –F.3d–, 2019 WL 237365 (5th Cir. Jan. 17, 2019) (Oldham, J.), the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals recently held that a class of creditors is not “impaired” by a reorganization plan simply […]

Read More

Illinois Court Holds Standby Clause Precludes Discovery by Subordinated Lender

In In re Argon Credit, LLC, et al., Case No. 16-39654 (Bankr. N.D. Ill. Jan. 10, 2019), the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois recently held that a standby clause in a subordination agreement prevented a subordinated lender from conducting discovery on the senior lender’s claim, pursuant to section 510 of the Bankruptcy Code. […]

Read More

Creditors with Partially Disputed Claims Have Standing to File an Involuntary Bankruptcy

Section 303 of the Bankruptcy Code provides a unique remedy to unsecured creditors seeking to collect their debts against an insolvent entity.  A careful look at this remedy is contained in an earlier post, entitled Creditors’ Strategic Use of Involuntary Bankruptcy.  In summary, pursuant to section 303, three unsecured creditors, with claims in the aggregate of […]

Read More

Single Asset Real Estate Case Dismissed for “Bad Faith” Under Fourth Circuit Precedent

In In re Fairfield TIC, LLC, Case No. 18-73744-VJ (Bankr. E.D. Va. Nov. 20, 2018), the Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia dismissed a single asset real estate case, pursuant to section 1112(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, on “bad faith” grounds, based on the holding in Carolin Corp. v. Miller, 886 F.2d 693 […]

Read More