Rediscovering Chapter 9
April 25, 2008
Even though Chapter 9 of the Bankruptcy Code has been in effect for over 30 years, fewer than 100 cases have been filed during that time. Municipal bankruptcy cases ' or, more accurately, proceedings involving the adjustment of a municipality's debts ' are a rarity, compared with reorganization cases under Chapter 11.
A Quagmire of Obligations
April 25, 2008
Pending in bankruptcy court in Corpus Christi, TX, is <i>In re ASARCO, LLC, et al.</i>, the largest environmental bankruptcy case ever filed. This article explores the ramificatinos of the case.
Termination Premiums Under ERISA Held to Be Dischargeable Prepetition Claims
April 25, 2008
In a matter of first impression, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York held that the termination premiums assessed against Oneida Ltd. ('Oneida') as a result of the termination of one of Oneida's pension plans during its Chapter 11 case were prepetition 'claims' (as defined in ' 101(5) of title 11 of the United States Code (the 'Bankruptcy Code')) that were discharged under Oneida's confirmed plan of reorganization.
LAW FIRM MERGERS - SHOWING ALL!
April 17, 2008
LAW FIRM MERGERS - SHOWING ALL is the third chapter on law firm mergers and the importance of early involvement of marketing leadership. The next question is: How do you show - not tell- the marketplace that your intellectul and professional platform is indeed broader and deeper? New subspecializations can be defined and marketed. Articles on legal or client industry issues should be co-bylined by lawyers from both merging firms. Talk about mergers in general, using…
LAW FIRM MERGERS - WHO CARES?
April 09, 2008
LAW FIRM MERGERS - WHO CARES? is the second in our series on law firm mergers and the importance of integrating the marketing leadership from both firms as early in the process as possible. Since clients and internal stakeholders will be the most impacted,how should a firm get more people to care? Well, what do people care about? While marketing in a merger situation is not conceptually unique, it is exponentially more complicated because now…
LAW FIRM MERGERS - WHO SHOULD CARE?
April 01, 2008
LAW FIRM MERGERS - WHO SHOULD CARE? - We begin a new series on why most underachieving law firm mergers share one fundamental deficiency. Over the next several columns I'll identify a checklist to be used by the negotiating partners and marketing leadership to deal with it. The failure is to work a practicable marketing strategy into the very soul of the merger - before it happens, while it happens and after it happens. Keep in…
NJ and CT News
March 28, 2008
Important rulings that may affect your practice.
Valuing Businesses
March 28, 2008
A question often received from attorneys in matrimonial or other litigated matters is whether or not there are any specific standards that a CPA must adhere to when performing a business valuation engagement. Until Jan. 1, 2008, the answer was, effectively, 'No.' As of the beginning of this year, that answer has now changed.
National Push for Almony Reform Is Growing
March 28, 2008
Legislation and lawsuits challenging the traditional notions of alimony ' such as how long it should be paid and by whom ' are popping up across the nation. At issue is whether judges have too much discretion in deciding how much alimony should be paid, for how long, and whether they unfairly favor ex-wives.
