Antonio Stradivari -- A Special Master (Photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson This is the fourth in a series of four articles on why Fed.R.Bankr.P. 9031, titled “Masters Not Authorized,” needs to be amended to authorize the utilization of special masters in complex bankruptcy cases. The focus of this fourth article is on how... Continue Reading →
Special Masters Are Needed In Bankruptcy, Part 3: Evolution Of Bankruptcy Referees And Courts Show Why Needed
Antonio Stradivari -- A Special Master (Photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson This is the third in a series of four articles on why Fed.R.Bankr.P. 9031, titled “Masters Not Authorized,” needs to be amended to authorize the utilization of special masters in complex bankruptcy cases. The focus of this third article is on how... Continue Reading →
Special Masters Are Needed In Bankruptcy, Part 2: But Are Prohibited By Bankruptcy Rule 9031—Without A Sound Reason & Some History
Antonio Stradivari -- A Special Master (Photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson This is the second in a series of four articles on why Fed.R.Bankr.P. 9031, titled “Masters Not Authorized,” needs to be amended to authorize the utilization of special masters in complex bankruptcy cases. The focus of this second article is on how... Continue Reading →
Special Masters Are Needed In Bankruptcy, Part 1: Use Of Special Masters In Federal District Courts Under Rule 53
Antonio Stradivari -- A Special Master (Photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson This is the first in a series of four articles on why Fed.R.Bankr.P. 9031, titled “Masters Not Authorized,” needs to be amended to authorize the utilization of special masters in complex bankruptcy cases. The focus of this first article is on how... Continue Reading →
“Special Masters” Are Needed In Bankruptcy: An Interview With Judge Kaplan
https://youtu.be/LeDRrRnSxP8?si=2WjQ-6DxDGj5y3Hy By Donald L. Swanson Hon. Michael B. Kaplan is Chief Bankruptcy Judge for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New Jersey. Beginning with his appointment as Bankruptcy Judge in 2006, and throughout his judicial career, Judge Kaplan has presided over many complex bankruptcy cases—both large and small. Because of that experience, Judge Kaplan sees a need... Continue Reading →
Can Contempt For Violating Discharge Injunctions Be Pursed In A Class Action? (Bruce v. Citigroup)
Showing contempt? (Photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson Can the contempt remedy for a creditor’s violations of the discharge injunction in multiple bankruptcy cases throughout the land be imposed in a class action lawsuit? The answer from the First Circuit Court of Appeals is, “No” (see this linked opinion); and On January 8, 2023,... Continue Reading →
Arbitration At U.S. Supreme Court . . . Again, But Not On Bankruptcy—Whew! (Smith V. Spizzirri)
Allowing traffic to pass through (photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson Every now and then, the U.S. Supreme Court takes an arbitration case. And it almost always rules in favor of arbitration over litigation. Fortunately, the Supreme Court has, thus far, let arbitration vs. bankruptcy questions pass through without granting certiorari. Presumably, letting them pass... Continue Reading →
Tom Brady’s Super Bowl Career—And A Lesson On Business Failures
February 3, 2002, Super Bowl By Donald L. Swanson Here’s an impression: the general populace in these United States have no understanding, whatsoever, of the risks that every business faces. That lack of understanding is especially true as to larger businesses with the appearance of profitability and success. Comparison Story But there’s a fascinating comparison story... Continue Reading →
Is It OK to Mediate A Mass Tort Bankruptcy Plan Without Including Insurers Who Must Provide Plan Payments? (In re Imerys & Cyprus)
All are included (photo by Marilyn Swanson) By: Donald L Swanson Here’s a due process question that’s percolating before the U.S. Supreme Court and a related mediation issue: The due process question is whether an insurer who must fund a mass tort bankruptcy plan is a “party in interest” that’s entitled to appear and be heard... Continue Reading →
A Settlement While Appeal is Pending Deprives Appellate Court Of Jurisdiction (Badaiki v. Calmeron)
Deprived of usefulness (photo by Marilyn Swanson) By Donald L. Swanson An appellate court is deprived of continuing jurisdiction over an appeal once the disputing parties reach a settlement. There’s nothing remarkable about that proposition. But what's interesting is: the technical, legal and constitutional foundation behind that proposition; which is provided by the U.S. Court of... Continue Reading →