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In the Spotlight: Bankruptcy Strategies for Commercial Landlords, Tenants, Lenders, and Real Estate Investors
This is the first part in a series dealing with the subject of bankruptcy strategies and considerations for commercial landlords, tenants, lenders and real estate investors. The subject matter of each part of this series of brief alerts is complex and what is intended is to highlight some of the key issues the reader should consider in connection with the subjects discussed.
When Silence Is Not Golden
This article examines anti-assignment clauses from the landlord's viewpoint; specifically, anti-assignment clauses similar to the following: "tenant shall not, without the prior written consent of landlord, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, assign this lease or any interest hereunder, or sublet the leased premises or any part thereof."
On the Move
Who's doing what; who's going where.
When Bankruptcy And Equity Collide
In <i>Ades and Berg Group Investors v. Breeden</i> (<i>In re Ades and Berg Group Investors</i>), the court of appeals affirmed a decision below refusing to impose a constructive trust on proceeds from a settlement of reinsurance claims that were paid to a Chapter 11 debtor. According to the Second Circuit, "retention by the bankruptcy estate of assets that, absent bankruptcy, would go to a particular creditor is not inherently unjust."
Second Circuit Upholds Professional's Pre-Approved Fixed Fee Award
Financial advisers, investment bankers, lawyers and other professionals in reorganization cases will be happy with a decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit handed down on Jan. 6, 2009: <i>In re Smart World Technologies, LLC.</i>
Delaware Bankruptcy Court Denies Multi-Party Setoff
<i>In re SemCrude, L.P.</i> is a departure from the long-standing assumption that a multi-party netting agreement among affiliates would be upheld in bankruptcy if enforceable under applicable non-bankruptcy law. This article provides an analysis of the decision, the procedural status and its potential impact, and recommendations for minimizing the potential negative implications.
Cut 'Em Off At the Impasse
In legal marketing, we are now like two men on a bridge. We are all equally armed, with the same professional skills (or an inability to project superior professional skill), and most significantly, with the same marketing tools. The seminars. The articles. The brochures. The networking. The Web site. The press release. Who wins the competitive battle, then?
February issue in PDF format
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Movers & Shakers
Who's doing what; who's going where.
Case Briefs
Highlights of the latest insurance cases from around the country.

MOST POPULAR STORIES

  • The 'Sophisticated Insured' Defense
    A majority of courts consider the <i>contra proferentem</i> doctrine to be a pillar of insurance law. The doctrine requires ambiguous terms in an insurance policy to be construed against the insurer and in favor of coverage for the insured. A prominent rationale behind the doctrine is that insurance policies are usually standard-form contracts drafted entirely by insurers.
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  • Abandoned and Unused Cables: A Hidden Liability Under the 2002 National Electric Code
    In an effort to minimize the release of toxic gasses from cables in the event of fire, the 2002 version of the National Electric Code ("NEC"), promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association, sets forth new guidelines requiring that abandoned cables must be removed from buildings unless they are located in metal raceways or tagged "For Future Use." While the NEC is not, in itself, binding law, most jurisdictions in the United States adopt the NEC by reference in their state or local building and fire codes. Thus, noncompliance with the recent NEC guidelines will likely mean that a building is in violation of a building or fire code. If so, the building owner may also be in breach of agreements with tenants and lenders and may be jeopardizing its fire insurance coverage. Even in jurisdictions where the 2002 NEC has not been adopted, it may be argued that the guidelines represent the standard of reasonable care and could result in tort liability for the landlord if toxic gasses from abandoned cables are emitted in a fire. With these potential liabilities in mind, this article discusses: 1) how to address the abandoned wires and cables currently located within the risers, ceilings and other areas of properties, and 2) additional considerations in the placement and removal of telecommunications cables going forward.
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