2018, 2018 ABI/GULC "Views From the Bench"

This panel will explore key bankruptcy issues concerning the lawyer’s obligation to be “disinterested” and free from having adverse interests. How do these bankruptcy issues relate to the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, including RPCs 1.6 (“Confidentiality of Information”), 1.7 (“Conflict of Interest: Current Clients”), 1.9 (“Duties to Former Clients”), 1.18 (“Duties to Prospective Clients”), 3.3 (“Candor Toward the Tribunal”) and 4.1 (“Truthfulness in Statements to Others”)?

Resolved: Under Till v. SCS Credit Corp., a bankruptcy court is required to use a two-step approach to determine the cramdown interest rate, and must first determine whether there is an efficient market before it can use the formula approach.

Resolved: A trademark licensee retains the right to use a debtor’s trademark post-rejection.

This session will discuss hot-button issues relating to claims trading, including the Supreme Court’s ruling of nonstatutory insider status as clear error, as opposed to de novo (In re The Village at Lakeridge LLC); eligibility to vote an assigned claim (In re ASHINC Corp. and In re LightSquared Inc.); disallowance of a transferred claim subject to preference challenge (In re K-B Toys); and other legal issues common to claims trading and litigation finance in bankruptcy.