Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

The Bankruptcy StrategistFeaturesBankruptcyLitigation

Bankruptcy Asset Sales During COVID-19 Crisis

By Hugh McDonald and Deborah Kovsky-Apap
May 01, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is already leaving its mark on the bankruptcy asset sale landscape. Some going-concern and liquidation sales have been suspended or cancelled. Debtors have struggled to market their assets, both pre- and post-petition, in the face of unprecedented disruption and uncertainty. Despite this uncertainty — or even because of it — bankruptcy should still be viewed as a useful tool to effectuate the acquisition of assets. The current situation and anticipated distress across many industries presents opportunities for purchasers to acquire assets on favorable terms. The benefits to the purchaser of, among other things, receiving the assets free and clear of liens, claims and encumbrances and the ability to cherry pick executory contracts caught the attention of financial and strategic acquirers for quite some time. However, each industry presents unique issues that should be considered when weighing bankruptcy as an option and, if a case is already pending, a bid for or acquisition of assets of a debtor.

Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code

Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code allows a debtor to sell all or substantially all of its assets free and clear of all interests in the assets without confirming a Chapter 11 plan (363 Sales). In recent years, 363 Sales of a debtor's business as a going concern or other major business assets have increased in importance and regularity. Below is a brief overview of the benefits and drawbacks of a 363 Sale, the 363 Sale process, the role of stalking horse bidders, the auction process and other aspects of 363 Sales.

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
The DOJ's Corporate Enforcement Policy: One Year Later Image

The DOJ's Criminal Division issued three declinations since the issuance of the revised CEP a year ago. Review of these cases gives insight into DOJ's implementation of the new policy in practice.

The Bankruptcy Hotline Image

Recent cases of importance to your practice.

Use of Deferred Prosecution Agreements In White Collar Investigations Image

This article discusses the practical and policy reasons for the use of DPAs and NPAs in white-collar criminal investigations, and considers the NDAA's new reporting provision and its relationship with other efforts to enhance transparency in DOJ decision-making.

How AI Has Affected PR Image

When we consider how the use of AI affects legal PR and communications, we have to look at it as an industrywide global phenomenon. A recent online conference provided an overview of the latest AI trends in public relations, and specifically, the impact of AI on communications. Here are some of the key points and takeaways from several of the speakers, who provided current best practices, tips, concerns and case studies.

The DOJ's New Parameters for Evaluating Corporate Compliance Programs Image

The parameters set forth in the DOJ's memorandum have implications not only for the government's evaluation of compliance programs in the context of criminal charging decisions, but also for how defense counsel structure their conference-room advocacy seeking declinations or lesser sanctions in both criminal and civil investigations.