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 Court Highlights Pitfalls to Avoid When Retaining Experts

By Francis J. Lawall and Marcy J. McLaughlin Smith
July 01, 2023

The retention of an expert is obviously common and essential in many litigation scenarios. However, simply because the expert is retained by counsel in anticipation of litigation, does not automatically render all communications privileged. This is generally true whether the litigation is pending in a bankruptcy or nonbankruptcy proceeding. Therefore, the terms of an expert's retention, as well any decision as to what information is disclosed must be carefully considered in advance. A recent decision by the Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas, Northwest Senior Housing v. Intercity Investment Properties (In re Northwest Senior Housing), 2023 Bankr. LEXIS 1001 (Bankr. N.D. Tex. 2023), addressed these important issues involving the retention of a public relations firm and highlights some important pitfalls to avoid.

Northwest Senior Housing Corp., a Chapter 11 debtor, brought an adversary proceeding that asserted that certain disclosures made by the defendants violated a nondisclosure agreement between the parties. Pre-petition, the defendants' counsel entered into a consulting agreement with a public relations firm (the PR firm), which contemplated the provision of public relations advice in connection with anticipated litigation with the debtor.

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.

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.

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.

CLE Shouldn't Be the Only Mandatory Training for Attorneys Image

Each stage of an attorney's career offers opportunities for a curriculum that addresses both the individual's and the firm's need to drive success.

Discovery of Claim Construction and Infringement Analysis May be Compelled Prior to a Markman Hearing Image

A defendant in a patent infringement suit may, during discovery and prior to a <i>Markman</i> hearing, compel the plaintiff to produce claim charts, claim constructions, and element-by-element infringement analyses.