Features

The 'Death Spiral' Of U.S. Malls
One of the main causes of the "death spiral" of malls in the United States has been the bankruptcies, and subsequent liquidations, of many retailers that were once household names -- and often a mall's anchor tenants.
Features

When Can't a Creditor Credit Bid?
The growing presence of non-traditional lenders has been a noticeable trend in the finance industry for years. Yet these lenders have always played a prominent role in distressed lending. Often, they are industry participants who are not only extending a lifeline to the debtor, but perhaps more importantly, protecting their customer base.
Features

Stepping into the Shoes of the IRS to Pursue Otherwise Time-Barred Avoidance Actions Under Fraudulent Transfer Statutes
One of the rare legal issues in which bankruptcy practitioners usually are able to speak to clients in absolute terms to provide clear legal advice is the limitations period concerning the pursuit of avoidable transfers in bankruptcy proceedings.
Features

When a Lessee Files for Bankruptcy
A Chapter 11 debtor's motion for an order approving use of Cash Collateral or for Debtor-in-Possession (DIP) Financing usually happens as part of the so-called first-day hearings held within a few days after commencement of the case. The problem for creditors and equipment lessors is that while the debtor may have sent your client a notice of the bankruptcy case, the notice sometimes goes to the payment lock box or to someone who doesn't even know what bankruptcy is, much less that the order being sought is key to your client's future payment.
Features

The Queen Is Dead, Long Live the Queen?
The automatic stay of 11 U.S.C. § 362 is one of the most important principles of bankruptcy law. It provides crucial breathing space for the debtor to reorganize or liquidate, and avoids the piecemeal dismemberment of the estate's assets. However, in rare instances, courts have extended stay protection to non-debtors through 11 USC § 105. This is considered extraordinary relief reserved for unusual circumstances, and may be analogized to the inherent power of federal courts under their general equity powers.
Features

Post-Petition Interest in a Solvent Case
<b><i>What Interest Rate Controls?</b></i><p><p>In today's low-interest rate environment, the difference between a contractual interest rate and the federal judgment rate can be quite significant. It is not surprising, therefore, that this issue has become hotly litigated in cases involving solvent Chapter 11 debtors.
Features

Holders of Unredeemed Gift Cards Denied Bankpruptcy Priority
For some time now, the brick and mortar side of the retail industry has been in financial distress. In 2015 and 2016 alone, brand-name companies such as Sports Authority, RadioShack, Aéropostale, American Apparel, Eastern Mountain Sports and City Sports sought bankruptcy protection. A common question in these cases is how to treat holders of unredeemed gift cards. Are they near the back of the line with other general unsecured creditors, or are they entitled to “priority” payment status under the Bankruptcy Code?
Features

Vendor's Reclamation Rights Survive Lien of Post-Petition DIP Loan
In <i>In re Reichhold Holdings US</i>, bankruptcy judge Mary F. Walrath upheld the validity of a vendor's administrative claim for its reclamation rights under Section 546(c) of the Bankruptcy Code as against a post-petition DIP lender. In doing so, Judge Walrath declined to follow cases from the Bankruptcy Court of the Southern District of New York that held otherwise.
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