Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Valuation Experts, Beware the Gatekeeper!

By David S. Kupetz
November 28, 2006

Valuation issues come into play throughout Chapter 11 business reorganization cases. These issues are frequently at the heart of the reorganization process and involve a wide variety of different matters. Bankruptcy courts determine value on a case-by-case basis and in light of the purpose and circumstances of the valuation. Near the inception of the case, the court may be asked to determine whether equity security holders of the debtor are in the money and, therefore, may be entitled to the appointment of an official equity security holders' committee to be funded from the bankruptcy estate. As the pivotal, central issue in connection with the confirmation of a contested plan of reorganization, the court may be required to determine the enterprise value of the reorganized debtor. This determination dictates how interests in the reorganized debtor must be allocated to satisfy the 'absolute priority rule' and, in turn, how consideration is distributed pursuant to the reorganization plan. Since the value of the reorganized enterprise is allocated first to the satisfaction of senior claims and equity interests, a lower valuation will require a higher percentage of the reorganized enterprise be reserved for the satisfaction of the claims and equity interests with senior priority rights.

Although valuation experts generally apply essentially the same methodology in determining enterprise or going concern value in connection with a Chapter 11 plan, they frequently reach substantially different conclusions. In some instances, this has led courts to question the use of an adversarial legal process to determine value and/or the credibility of the proposed valuation experts and, in a few cases, to even disqualify the proposed experts from testifying and presenting their valuation reports. In particular, valuation experts may run into trouble where: 1) they may personally profit depending upon their conclusions regarding value; 2) their role appears to expand beyond that of an independent valuation expert and includes that of an advocate, strategist, adviser, and/or consultant with a broader stake in the process; or 3) the proposed expert's independence is otherwise undermined. Of course, a proposed expert must possess the education experience, expertise, credentials, and other qualifications appropriate and necessary to provide an admissible valuation opinion. If the proposed valuation expert is not qualified or presents a report and/or testimony that is not relevant or reliable, the court should act as a gatekeeper and disqualify the proposed expert and/or prevent the proposed expert evidence from being admitted.

Recognizing the Uncertainties Underlying Expert Valuation Conclusions

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright Laws Image

This article highlights how copyright law in the United Kingdom differs from U.S. copyright law, and points out differences that may be crucial to entertainment and media businesses familiar with U.S law that are interested in operating in the United Kingdom or under UK law. The article also briefly addresses contrasts in UK and U.S. trademark law.

Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult Coin Image

With each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.

The Article 8 Opt In Image

The Article 8 opt-in election adds an additional layer of complexity to the already labyrinthine rules governing perfection of security interests under the UCC. A lender that is unaware of the nuances created by the opt in (may find its security interest vulnerable to being primed by another party that has taken steps to perfect in a superior manner under the circumstances.

Removing Restrictive Covenants In New York Image

In Rockwell v. Despart, the New York Supreme Court, Third Department, recently revisited a recurring question: When may a landowner seek judicial removal of a covenant restricting use of her land?

Fresh Filings Image

Notable recent court filings in entertainment law.