Involuntary Bankruptcy: Limited Remedy and Strong Sanctions for Abuse
July 01, 2019
A bankruptcy court decision recently detailed how courts applying Bankruptcy Code §303(i) can sanction creditors who "abuse … the power given to [them] … to file an involuntary bankruptcy petition." The decision shows why the filing of an involuntary bankruptcy requires careful pre-filing legal judgment.
Does a Roof's Warranty Remain Effective Under Solar Panels?
July 01, 2019
The growing interest in alternative fuel sources may be a boon for property owners seeking new ways to generate profits and savings. But care should be taken when a roof is the proposed site of a solar-panel installation, whether managed by a property owner or by a lessee.
Discovery Concerns In Blockchain Litigation
July 01, 2019
The increased use of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies, which have spread to the entertainment industry, including for royalty revenue determinations, has given rise to a variety of disputes. Substantive issues regarding the offer, sale and trading of digital tokens are coming before the courts, prompting novel discovery questions in these cases.
The Curious Case of Extraterritoriality and Fraudulent Transfer Under the Bankruptcy Code
July 01, 2019
<i>Courts Are Divided on the Issue of Whether the Fraudulent Transfer Recovery Provision Applies Extraterritorially</i><p>The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit recently issued an opinion concluding that trustees can pursue recovery from foreign subsequent transferees who received property in transactions that occurred entirely outside the United States. The opinion reversed two lower court rulings and arguably conflicts with Supreme Court precedent on extraterritoriality of U.S. legislation.
The Importance of Social Skills: Technology and Data Are Not Enough to Grow Your Firm's Business
July 01, 2019
Data is taking over our lives. And preceding that is all of the applications and technology that exists that helps us measure that information. But technology and data are not going to be the only growth drivers of a firm in the future. What's going to become most important in the face of the technological changes that are occurring in law firms is a lawyer's "soft-skills."
Are Companies Playing It Too Safe With GDPR Breach Reporting?
July 01, 2019
A new report from the law firm of Pinsent Masons shows that there has been a high level of GDPR "over-reporting" at the U.K.'s Information Commissioner's Office, but organizations who may think they are playing it safe may actually be opening themselves up to further regulatory scrutiny.
Navigating the Attorney-Client Privilege and Work Product Doctrine in Bankruptcy
July 01, 2019
When a company declares bankruptcy, avoidance actions under Chapter 5 of the Bankruptcy Code can assist in securing extra cash for the debtor's dwindling estate. When a debtor-in-possession does not pursue these claims, creditors' committees often seek the bankruptcy court's authorization to pursue them on behalf of the estate. Once granted such authorization through a “standing order,” a creditors' committee is said to “stand in the debtor's shoes” because it has permission to litigate certain claims belonging to the debtor that arose before bankruptcy. However, for parties whose cases advance to discovery, such a standing order may cause issues by leaving undecided the allocation of attorney-client privilege and work product protection between the debtor and committee.