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Features

No Time for Bankruptcy Venue Hypocrisy Image

No Time for Bankruptcy Venue Hypocrisy

Michael L. Cook & Jessica L. Fainman

Senator John Cornyn of Texas introduced the "Fairness in Bankruptcy Litigation Act of 2005" (S. 314) on Feb. 8, calling it the "end to judge shopping ..." According to the Senator, "[F]orum shopping is wrong. It distorts and corrupts our justice system." Bankruptcy Reform: Hearing on S. 256 and S. 314 Before Sen. Judiciary Comm., 2005 Legis. (Feb. 10, 2005). There may be merit to Sen. Cornyn's bill, but not in his rhetoric, driven, as the facts show, by a desire to increase his home state's market share in the competition for big bankruptcy reorganizations.

Features

The New Code's Effect on Taxes Image

The New Code's Effect on Taxes

Gerald L. Blanchard

There are many sections of the new Bankruptcy Act that address various tax issues; some of the most important and relevant corporate changes are explored in this article.

Settlement Payments Exempted from Avoidance Image

Settlement Payments Exempted from Avoidance

Ali M.M. Mojdehi & Janet Dean Gertz

Under ' 546(e) of the Bankruptcy Code (the so-called "stockbroker defense" to select voidance actions), Congress has exempted from avoidance any "settlement payment" that is made "by or to a commodity broker, forward contract merchant, stockbroker, financial institution, or securities clearing agency, that is made before the commencement of the case," except where the transfer is fraudulent under ' 548(a)(1)(A) of the Bankruptcy Code. 11 U.S.C. ' 546(e). So what exactly is a "settlement payment"? Prior to the BAP decision in <i>In re Grafton Partners</i>, the answer to this question was surprisingly unclear.

Custody: Your Most Important Job Image

Custody: Your Most Important Job

ALM Staff & Law Journal Newsletters

This Special Issue focuses on all-important custody issues every family law attorney should know.

A Primer on Custody Issues in Pennsylvania and Beyond Image

A Primer on Custody Issues in Pennsylvania and Beyond

Lawrence W. Abel

Custody matters are addressed to the court, either as an initial Petition regarding custody, or as a Petition to Modify an existing custody order. Custody petitions may be brought by a parent, and under certain circumstances by a grandparent or by a third party. "It is axiomatic that in custody disputes, 'the fundamental issue is the best interest of the child.'" Charles v. Stehlik, 560 Pa. 334, 339, 744 A.2d 1255, 1258 (2000), quoting <i>Ellerbe v. Hooks</i>, 490 Pa. 363, 416 A.2d 512, 513 (1980). "Custody cases are unique in that they involve disputes between two people (generally parents) regarding the upbringing of their children. There is little applicability of substantive law from other fields into custody cases. Custody law and analysis will not be applied in situations other than those regarding children." <i>DeSanctis v. Pritchard</i>, 803 A.2d 230, (Pa. Super. 2002) (custody of a dog).

May issue in PDF format Image

May issue in PDF format

ALM Staff & Law Journal Newsletters

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In The Marketplace Image

In The Marketplace

ALM Staff & Law Journal Newsletters

Highlights of the latest equipment leasing news from around the country.

'Floating' Forum-Selection Clauses: The M/S Bremen Afloat in the Wake of Norvergence Image

'Floating' Forum-Selection Clauses: The M/S Bremen Afloat in the Wake of Norvergence

Stephen Levin & Jonathan K. Moore

On June 30, 2004 an Involuntary Petition under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code was filed against NorVergence, Inc., the New Jersey telecommunications company. While this filing represented the likely end of a telecommunications company which, at its zenith, employed 1500 people, with more than 11,000 equipment leases in effect worth some $200 million, it also marked the beginning of litigation arising out of those leases now being waged in various state and federal courts across the country involving thousands of lessees, scores of finance companies and dozens of governmental agencies.

Electronic Waste Recycling Laws Challenge the Leasing Industry Image

Electronic Waste Recycling Laws Challenge the Leasing Industry

Beth Stern Fleming, David J. Parsells & Richard J. Pomeroy

An increasing number of state legislatures are deciding that there is a need to recycle computer components and other electronic waste, also known as "e-waste," and thus are proposing diverse laws intended to encourage or require such recycling. Equally diverse, to the point of creating conflicts and confusion, are the ways in which the various state legislatures propose to raise the funds to pay for such programs. Two states, California and Maine, have enacted such legislation and, at press time, 14 states have proposed such legislation. On Jan. 1, 2005, California's law was the first to go into effect. This article describes the Equipment Leasing Association's policy on legislation requiring advanced recycling fees. The article reviews California's new e-waste law and highlights some of the concerns to the leasing industry with regard to California's law.

May issue in PDF format Image

May issue in PDF format

ALM Staff & Law Journal Newsletters

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MOST POPULAR STORIES

  • The 'Sophisticated Insured' Defense
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