Delaware Bankruptcy Court Finds Misappropriated Trade Secrets are Subject to Avoidance and Turnover

In Corporate Claims Management, Inc. v. Shapier, et al. (In re Patriot National Inc.), Adv. Pro. No. 18-50307 (Bankr. D. Del August 8, 2018), the Delaware Bankruptcy Court found that alleged misappropriation of trade secrets could constitute a violation of the automatic stay under section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code and be subject to turnover under […]

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Can Golden Shares Block a Bankruptcy Filing?

The term “golden shares” is often referred to equity interests held by a specific party—commonly a lender or investor—that authorize such party to block or prevent a corporate entity from filing bankruptcy. Such shares are often negotiated by a party that wants to ensure that its consent is obtained before any bankruptcy is commenced. Without […]

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Does the Bankruptcy Code Adequately Protect Lessors?

The Bankruptcy Code often instructs a trustee or debtor to perform an act or make an election within a certain time. Sometimes the relevant provisions are intended to benefit a party in interest who is affected by a debtor’s or trustee’s action or election. Unfortunately, some of the provisions that prescribe a trustee or debtor […]

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Delaware Court Applies “Kiwi” Defense to Preferential Transfers

In In re NewPage Corporation, et al., Adversary Proceeding No. 13-52429 (Bankr. D. Del. Feb. 13, 2017), a Delaware Bankruptcy Court applied a unique defense to certain preferential transfers targeted by a liquidating trustee. The defense focuses on a commonly overlooked element of a preferential transfer, section 547(b)(5). Preference 101 Attempting to facilitate the principle […]

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Junior Lienholders’ Interests Extinguished in a “Free and Clear” Sale

State and federal laws provide numerous protections to secured parties to preserve their interests in collateral.  As secured parties well know, however, these protections become more and more limited when the collateral is pledged to multiple secured parties.  Issues, like priority of interests and liens, become more prevalent when the collateral at issue falls in value and […]

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Secured Transaction Avoided as Unauthorized Postpetition Transfer

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina recently avoided several secured financing arrangements, entered into by a debtor without court approval, as illicit transfers under section 549(a) of the Bankruptcy Code.  See James B. Angel v. Hyosung Motors America, Inc. (In re Britt Motorsports, LLC), Case No. 14-00058 (Bankr. E.D.N.C. April […]

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