Action Item. All participants in a bankruptcy mediation need to understand, in advance, that a discovery vacuum, (1) might require a recess in the mediation session until the discovery vacuum can be filled, or (2) needs to be identified and addressed in pre-session communications..
6 Reasons Why Bankruptcy Mediation is a Process, Not a One-and-Done Session: PART THREE — DISCOVERY VACUUM
By Donald L. Swanson I’m mediating a bankruptcy valuation dispute between a bank secured creditor and debtor. The asset is a building in need of repair. The dispute has been pending for a short while, and a hearing on declaration evidence is to occur soon. During the mediation, the banker says: “We need to see... Continue Reading →
Don’t Let This Happen to You: Milwaukee Archdiocese Bankruptcy – Part Three, The In-Court “Slugfest”
By: Donald L. Swanson Sometimes “a slugfest” must occur “before people get serious” about settlement possibilities. This is definitely true in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee bankruptcy. So says James I. Stang, attorney for the Official Creditors Committee in that case—and in at least a half-dozen additional cases of a similar nature. The Archdiocese of Milwaukee "slugfest"... Continue Reading →
ACTION ITEM: from Part Two — The Need to Resolve Disputes Quickly
Action Item. At every significant development in a bankruptcy case, beginning at its earliest stages, parties should consider whether a mediation process might be helpful immediately in resolving remaining disputes. #bankruptcy #mediation #bankruptcymediation
6 Reasons Why Bankruptcy Mediation is a Process, not a One-and-Done Session: PART TWO — NEED FOR QUICK RESOLUTION
By Donald L. Swanson "You can't fight every battle all the time," and "You have to get as many settlements as you can—as fast as you can." These are truisms for debtor's bankruptcy counsel. In a Chapter 11 case, the debtor's best-interest is to identify resolvable disputes promptly, get each of them settled as quickly... Continue Reading →
"As a workplace mediator for over 25 years I look forward to you continuing your series. Interesting to find out if your thoughts apply to my area as well. Thanks, Don" Thornton Mason National Director -- Workplace Mediation
Don’t Let This Happen to You: Milwaukee Archdiocese Bankruptcy – Part Two, The Confirmed Plan
By Donald L. Swanson By mid-November 2015, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee has been battling its sex abuse claimants in Bankruptcy Court for nearly five years. The fight has been tough: described as "scorched earth." The Archdiocese has been fighting to limit payouts on sex abuse claims to the low single-digits of millions of dollars. But... Continue Reading →
Freedom of the Press v. Mediation Confidentiality: Inside A Bankruptcy Court Dust-Up
By: Donald L. Swanson A Bankruptcy Court Judge is concerned about “leaks of sensitive, non-public information concerning the bidding process and mediation.” The bankruptcy case is In re Molycorp, Inc. (Case No. 15-11357 in the District of Delaware). A "Leaks" Problem The Bankruptcy Judge identifies three Bloomberg articles authored by Jodi Xu Klein and others... Continue Reading →
ACTION ITEM: from Part One — Bankruptcy Needs its Own Mediation Model
By Donald L. Swanson Action Item. Before blindly following a one-and-done mediation model from non-bankruptcy cases, we need to consider how each bankruptcy mediation might differ from non-bankruptcy contexts. #bankruptcy #mediation #bankruptcymediation
6 Reasons Why Bankruptcy Mediation is a Process, not a One-and-Done Session: PART ONE — A DIFFERENT MEDIATION MODEL
By Donald L. Swanson Bankruptcy needs a larger mediation process than the one-and-done-session model that’s common in non-bankruptcy cases An iteration of the title above ["Bankruptcy mediation is a process, not a one-and-done session"] is often greeted by bankruptcy professionals with blank stares. They can't imagine why they'd want to mediate bankruptcy disputes any differently... Continue Reading →
MEDIATBANKRY 