Mid Cap
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August 08, 2024
Coach USA Drops Ch. 11 Auction, Takes Stalking Horse Bids
Bus line operator Coach USA Inc. informed a Delaware bankruptcy court that it did not receive any qualified offers for its three major assets beyond the initial stalking horse bids it had when entering bankruptcy.
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August 08, 2024
Cooley Hit With Fla. Malpractice Suit Over Financial Docs
Genetic Networks LLC has sued California-based Cooley LLP in Florida state court, alleging the law firm failed to file documentation needed to secure a lien when preparing loan papers for $1.2 million lent to ECI Pharmaceuticals.
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August 08, 2024
Conn. Judge Says Telecom Can Get $3.5M, Not $61M Interest
CCT Communications can't get the $61 million in interest it sought from a company it's been in dispute with for 14 years after a state judge ruled that Connecticut does not allow interest for breach of contract claims if the interest amounts to a penalty.
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August 08, 2024
McElroy Deutsch Seeks To Ax Former CFO's Ch. 11 Case
McElroy Deutsch Mulvaney & Carpenter LLP urged a New Jersey bankruptcy court Thursday to throw out a Chapter 11 filing from its former chief financial officer, who has been sent to prison for stealing over $1 million from the firm, slamming it as a bad faith "tactical maneuver" to stall ongoing civil litigation.
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August 08, 2024
Snapshot: Delaware Federal Court's 2024 Annual Report
Civil filings in Delaware's district court continue to decline as the patent litigation-heavy venue saw its lowest number of patent filings during the past decade in 2023, experiencing a 23% dip from the year prior amid a national patent litigation plunge.
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August 08, 2024
50 Cent Beats Liquor Consultant's 'Ridiculous' Wiretap Claim
A frustrated New York state judge on Thursday tossed a former Beam Suntory Inc. sales contractor's reworked wiretapping allegations against rapper Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson in a $3 million embezzlement dispute, calling the claims "ridiculous" and an "obvious" delay tactic.
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August 07, 2024
SEC Accuses Urban Commons REIT Founders Of $70M Fraud
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has accused the founders of the Urban Commons real estate investment trust of running a pair of fraud schemes involving investments in U.S.-based hotels that the regulator said collectively cost investors $70 million.
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August 07, 2024
Bid For Ex-Judge's Phone Records Halted At Texas Hearing
A Texas bankruptcy judge shut down a bid from JCPenney's bankruptcy administrator to subpoena former Judge David R. Jones' cellphone records in a partially sealed hearing Wednesday in connection with Jones' secret romance with a onetime lawyer at Jackson Walker LLP.
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August 07, 2024
Judge Hands Buca Di Beppo $11M Lifeline In Ch. 11
A Texas bankruptcy judge on Wednesday approved Italian restaurant chain Buca di Beppo to accept debtor-in-possession financing totaling $10.85 million on an interim basis, saying the combination of new money and a rollup of prepetition advances was appropriate given the restaurant's straits.
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August 07, 2024
World Of Beer Moves Forward On Speedy Ch. 11 Plan
Bar and restaurant chain World of Beer received a Florida bankruptcy judge's initial approval on a package of first-day motions Wednesday, including a request to tap up to $2 million in debtor-in-possession financing, as counsel for the craft beer-focused eatery company said it is hoping to get a Chapter 11 plan confirmed quickly and possibly beat a district record.
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August 07, 2024
Acorda Creditors' Ch. 11 Votes Count As Release Consent
A New York bankruptcy judge said Wednesday creditors' votes in favor of the Chapter 11 plan of Acorda Therapeutics constitute consent in granting third-party releases, overruling the position of the United States trustee that the Supreme Court's recent ruling in Purdue Pharma requires a separate agreement on releases.
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August 07, 2024
Behind The Ch. 15 Filing Of Immunology Co. VBI Vaccines
After accumulating more than half a billion dollars of deficits over its history, VBI Vaccines, a developer of COVID-19 and hepatitis B vaccines, was unable to avoid bankruptcy court as it sought to consummate a sale of some of its assets.
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August 07, 2024
Caribbean Resort Owner Facing $15M Claim Files Del. Ch. 11
A resort residence complex on the Caribbean island and British Overseas Territory of Anguilla, now facing a $15 million claim tied to an attack on the child of a guest family in 2015, is seeking Chapter 11 protection in Delaware, listing $500,000 or less in assets.
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August 07, 2024
'Herculean' Efforts Warrant Max Fee, Debt Firm Trustee Says
A California bankruptcy trustee overseeing the failed debt relief law firm Litigation Practice Group has told the court he deserves the maximum fee amount and possibly a bonus due to the "herculean" efforts of himself and his colleagues — a statement that comes at a time when the bankruptcy estate appears to have little money to pay more than 2,500 creditors.
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August 07, 2024
Eversheds Sutherland Adds Kilpatrick Bankruptcy Atty In Atlanta
The former team leader of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP's bankruptcy and financial restructuring practice has departed the firm after more than three decades to move to Eversheds Sutherland in Atlanta as co-leader of its U.S. restructuring and insolvency team.
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August 07, 2024
Pool Co. Can't Get Atty Fees After Losing False Ads Trial
A pool parts supplier on the hook for a $16 million false advertising and unfair business practices judgment isn't entitled to attorney fees in the case, a North Carolina federal judge has ruled, finding there's "no question" the winning party is its opponent given the eight-figure damages award.
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August 07, 2024
Lewis Brisbois Grows In Dallas With Ex-Mackie Wolf Litigators
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP announced Wednesday that it has boosted its litigation bench in Dallas with a pair of attorneys who came aboard from Mackie Wolf Zientz & Mann PC.
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August 07, 2024
Movie, Fashion Cable Network Cinemoi Files Ch. 11
The operator of film, fashion and lifestyle cable network Cinemoi has filed for Chapter 11 protection in a California bankruptcy court with more than $10 million in debt.
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August 06, 2024
Ex-Judge Jones, Jackson Walker To Defend Meeting
Former U.S. Bankruptcy Judge David R. Jones and Jackson Walker LLP will have to explain during a hearing Wednesday why they had an "off-the-record" conversation with each other in July, as a messy court case stemming from Jones' secret romance with a onetime lawyer at the firm hits several hurdles during discovery.
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August 06, 2024
9th Circ. Kills Trustee Fee Refunds After Justices' Ruling
The Ninth Circuit on Tuesday reversed a district court decision that granted a partial refund of $600,000 in fees a tobacco distributor paid to the U.S. Trustee's Office, noting that the U.S. Supreme Court found in June that a disparity in fees paid by debtors in different jurisdictions was not to be remedied by returning overpayments.
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August 06, 2024
Motorola, Phone Biz Denied $1.5M From Defunct Co.'s Insurer
Cellphone maker Motorola and a phone and internet provider cannot get coverage for more than $1.5 million in judgments they won against a defunct marketing services company from that company's insurer, a Minnesota appeals court ruled, finding separate professional services and illegal profit exclusions apply.
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August 06, 2024
Hotel's Ch. 11 Plan Nixes San Jose Tax Claim, Judge Says
A Delaware bankruptcy judge on Tuesday ordered the city of San Jose, California, to dismiss a state court action seeking the payment of taxes and other obligations by the former operator of a luxury hotel, saying the Chapter 11 plan of SC SJ Holdings released the claims.
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August 06, 2024
New Office Is Old Hat For Raines Feldman's Pittsburgh Leader
After the launch of Raines Feldman Littrell LLP's new Pittsburgh office last month, bankruptcy attorney Michael Roeschenthaler earned the unique distinction of having managed the opening of Steel City locations for two separate firms in fewer than 10 years.
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August 06, 2024
Aztec Fund Files For Ch. 11 With $100M In Liabilities
The Aztec Fund Holding Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 protection in Texas bankruptcy court, listing at least $100 million in liabilities.
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August 06, 2024
World Of Beer Latest Dining Chain To Tap Ch. 11 Post-COVID
World of Beer Bar & Kitchen, a restaurant chain known for its craft beer selection, filed for bankruptcy in Florida citing a pandemic hangover and outlining plans to close unprofitable locations and restructure some of its $30 million in debt while in Chapter 11.
Expert Analysis
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Pa. City Ch. 9 Ruling Raises Municipal Financing Concerns
A Pennsylvania district court’s recent ruling in a Chapter 9 case filed by the city of Chester, Pennsylvania, strengthens the foundations of the municipal bond market, but also demonstrates that bankruptcy courts continue to struggle with some of the features of municipal revenue bonds and issue rulings that contradict market expectations, say attorneys at Cadwalader.
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Writing Thriller Novels Makes Me A Better Lawyer
Authoring several thriller novels has enriched my work by providing a fresh perspective on my privacy practice, expanding my knowledge, and keeping me alert to the next wave of issues in an increasingly complex space — a reminder to all lawyers that extracurricular activities can help sharpen professional instincts, says Reece Hirsch at Morgan Lewis.
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What Lawyers Must Know About Calif. State Bar's AI Guidance
Initial recommendations from the State Bar of California regarding use of generative artificial intelligence by lawyers have the potential to become a useful set of guidelines in the industry, covering confidentiality, supervision and training, communications, discrimination and more, say attorneys at Debevoise.
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Industry Must Elevate Native American Women Attys' Stories
The American Bar Association's recent research study into Native American women attorneys' experiences in the legal industry reveals the glacial pace of progress, and should inform efforts to amplify Native voices in the field, says Mary Smith, president of the ABA.
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Pa. Ruling Shows Why Term Sheet Can Be Worth The Wait
A Pennsylvania bankruptcy court’s recent In re: Legarde ruling, holding that a settlement term sheet was enforceable, reminds litigants that it’s crucial to draft a written agreement before leaving mediation in order to resolve potential evidentiary issues and protect against buyer’s remorse, says Brian Shaw at Cozen O'Connor.
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Understanding Discovery Obligations In Era Of Generative AI
Excerpt from Practical Guidance
Attorneys and businesses must adapt to the unique discovery challenges presented by generative artificial intelligence, such as chatbot content and prompts, while upholding the principles of fairness, transparency and compliance with legal obligations in federal civil litigation, say attorneys at King & Spalding.
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Asserting 'Presence-Of-Counsel' Defense In Securities Trials
As illustrated by the fraud trial of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, defense attorneys in securities trials might consider arguing that counsel had some involvement in the conduct at issue — if the more formal advice-of-counsel defense is unavailable and circumstances allow for a privilege waiver, say Joseph Dever and Matthew Elkin at Cozen O'Connor.
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Crypto Has Democratized Trading In Bankruptcy Claims
Following the pandemic, there has been a wave of cryptocurrency bankruptcies and a related increase in access to information, allowing nontraditional bankruptcy investors to purchase claims and democratizing a once closed segment of alternative investing, says Joseph Sarachek at Strategic Liquidity.
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The Case For Post-Bar Clerk Training Programs At Law Firms
In today's competitive legal hiring market, an intentionally designed training program for law school graduates awaiting bar admission can be an effective way of creating a pipeline of qualified candidates, says Brent Daub at Gilson Daub.
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5 Key Tips For Attorneys In The Subchapter V Arena
Subchapter V cases present unique challenges for the nondebtor parties-in-interest, and habits developed by attorneys in typical Chapter 11 cases do not necessarily translate, meaning creditors and their counsel should quickly take a proactive role in their cases to protect their interests, which can be done by attending the 341 meeting, analyzing the plan, and more, says Kelly Singer at Squire Patton.
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Attorneys Have An Ethical Duty To Protect The Judiciary
The tenor of public disagreement and debate has become increasingly hostile against judges, and though the legislative branch is trying to ameliorate this safety gap, lawyers have a moral imperative and professional requirement to stand with judges in defusing attacks against them and their rulings, says Deborah Winokur at Cozen O'Connor.
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Why The Debt Maturity Wall Is Still A Figment, For Now
While the phenomenon of the debt maturity wall — a growing wall of staggered corporate debt maturities — has been considered a looming problem since the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis, it’s unlikely to have significant consequences before 2025 due to factors such as quantitative easing and evolved lending practices, says Michael Eisenband at FTI Consulting.
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AI Can Help Lawyers Overcome The Programming Barrier
Legal professionals without programming expertise can use generative artificial intelligence to harness the power of automation and other technology solutions to streamline their work, without the steep learning curve traditionally associated with coding, says George Zalepa at Greenberg Traurig.