Features
Eighth Circuit Rejects Ponzi Scheme Presumption to Protect Legitimate Loan Repayments
In <i>Stoebner v. Opportunity Finance, LLC</i>, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit held that “… Ponzi scheme payments to satisfy legitimate antecedent debts to defendant banks could not be avoided” by a bankruptcy trustee “absent transaction-specific proof of actual intent to defraud or the statutory elements of constructive fraud — transfer by an insolvent debtor who did not receive reasonably equivalent value in exchange.”
Features
Counsel Concerns: Lawyers Battle Over Gears of War Client
A Philadelphia lawyer is suing the founder of a fast-growing litigation boutique over a purported fee-sharing settlement, is arguing that the boutique backed out of the settlement so it could fund other cases against video game makers.
Features
Don't Set Me Off: No Triangular Setoff Among Affiliated Entities and a Debtor Counterparty
In today's global economy, companies often have multiple business lines operating through separate entities. Outside of bankruptcy, these affiliated operations sometimes transact in a holistic — albeit legally distinct — debtor-creditor relationship with their counterparty. But, as this article discusses, the legal separateness of affiliates can hinder economic protections that a creditor might have otherwise when its counterparty files for bankruptcy.
Columns & Departments
Bit Parts
California Federal Judge Refuses, Among Other Things, to Drop Fiduciary Breach Claim Against AMC Networks over Fear the Walking Dead TV Series<br>New York Appellate Division Decides UMG Recordings Isn't Alter Ego of Cash Money Records<br>
Features
Mystery Subpoena Case at High Court Could Expand U.S. Authority
Rare Supreme Court holiday activity and ongoing news coverage about special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation has drawn much attention to the enigmatic case of <i>In Re Grand Jury Subpoena</i>. The matter is unremarkable, presenting familiar issues of international litigation. Upon further examination, however, the case may have the potential to expand the authority of United States courts over foreign states and their agencies or instrumentalities.
Features
The DTSA's Jurisdictional Nexus, Three Years In
The Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA) requires pleading a connection between a trade secret, a product or service, and interstate commerce. But failure to prove such a connection divests the district court of subject matter jurisdiction. This article summarizes the first three years of cases discussing the jurisdictional element and explores implications.
Features
Management Fees: Make Sure Your Lease Is Clear
There is no uniform approach relating to management fee provisions in leases, and courts will recognize inequities in the charging and payment of management fees when lease terms are ambiguous or a landlord or tenant fails to comply with the terms of its lease.
Features
A Guide to Becoming an Opportunity Zone Sponsor
There is a frenzy of excitement about the prospect of opportunity zone investments, but a number of investors are also considering becoming sponsors of the new fund model. While organizing a fund may seem simple, especially for experienced real estate sponsors, the opportunity zone model is actually complex.
Features
Caveat Intercreditor: Bankruptcy May Be Coming
<b><i>Bankruptcy Provisions in First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreements</b></i><p>While intercreditor agreements (ICAs) are not necessarily the most attention-grabbing of the various loan documents common to large financing transactions, they are nevertheless important, and lack of attention to detail with respect to their provisions could lead to unintended results in any future bankruptcy case.
Features
When Alice Leaves Software in Wonderland: Review the Terms of Use
That least-read contract — the Terms of Use — can be an effective (albeit the last) weapon in the arsenal of a company trying to protect unpatented software technology while providing on-line services.
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