Business Reorganization

Saving a Failing Company Doesn’t Entail ‘Defalcation’ Regarding Union Obligations

A properly drafted union contract still failed to leave a company officer with a nondischargeable debt for failing to make employer contributions to a union welfare fund.

Appeal Heads Toward the Fourth Circuit on Arbitration of Discharge Violations

Eventually, the Supreme Court will decide whether bankruptcy is a unique exception to the general rule that arbitration agreements are rigorously enforced.
2nd Circuit Jun 16, 2020

Second Circuit Nixes Nationwide Class Actions for Discharge Violations

Second Circuit says that later Supreme Court authority did not undermine the appeals court’s prior decision that creditors cannot compel arbitration of discharge violations.
9th Circuit Jun 1, 2020

Ninth Circuit Narrowly Reads Section 506(d) on Voiding Liens After Claim Disallowance

A claim must be disallowed based on the invalidity of the debt before the associated lien can be voided under Section 506(d), the Ninth Circuit ruled in upholding the BAP.
10th Circuit Utah May 19, 2020

District Judge Rejects the Majority’s ‘Gotcha’ Approach to Automatic Abandonment

Sufficiently listing an asset anywhere in the schedules and SOFA will result in abandonment if the asset was not administered by the trustee, Utah district judge holds.