Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

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

The Bankruptcy StrategistKickerFeaturesSectionsNewsLJN Newsletters

Recovery of Make-Whole Premiums

By David M. Hillman and Karen S. Park
May 02, 2013

A lender's right to recover a make-whole premium as part of its allowed claim in a bankruptcy case has been the subject of considerable judicial debate over the past number of years, with some courts allowing recovery and others denying it. Earlier this year, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York added to the debate by denying bondholders the right to payment of a make-whole premium in connection with the debtor's refinancing of the bond debt. U.S. Bank Trust Nat'l Ass'n v. American Airlines, Inc. (In re AMR Corp.), 485 B.R. 279 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. Jan. 17, 2013) (AMR Corp.).

While the decision does not canvass, much less resolve, the myriad legal issues related to this topic, it does highlight the significant role that drafting plays in determining a lender's entitlement to a make-whole premium. Although the court denied allowance of the make-whole premium, its decision was based entirely on contractual interpretation and expressly held that “there is no dispute that make whole amounts are permissible.” AMR Corp., at 303.

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
The DOJ's Corporate Enforcement Policy: One Year Later Image

The DOJ's Criminal Division issued three declinations since the issuance of the revised CEP a year ago. Review of these cases gives insight into DOJ's implementation of the new policy in practice.

The Bankruptcy Hotline Image

Recent cases of importance to your practice.

Use of Deferred Prosecution Agreements In White Collar Investigations Image

This article discusses the practical and policy reasons for the use of DPAs and NPAs in white-collar criminal investigations, and considers the NDAA's new reporting provision and its relationship with other efforts to enhance transparency in DOJ decision-making.

How AI Has Affected PR Image

When we consider how the use of AI affects legal PR and communications, we have to look at it as an industrywide global phenomenon. A recent online conference provided an overview of the latest AI trends in public relations, and specifically, the impact of AI on communications. Here are some of the key points and takeaways from several of the speakers, who provided current best practices, tips, concerns and case studies.

The DOJ's New Parameters for Evaluating Corporate Compliance Programs Image

The parameters set forth in the DOJ's memorandum have implications not only for the government's evaluation of compliance programs in the context of criminal charging decisions, but also for how defense counsel structure their conference-room advocacy seeking declinations or lesser sanctions in both criminal and civil investigations.