On Bankruptcy and Mediation
By: Donald L Swanson The case before the U.S. Supreme Court is Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico v. Aurelius Investment, LLC (Case No. 18-1334). Oral arguments occurred on October 15, 2019. Here is a link to the official transcript. An Oddly Important Case This is an oddly important case: it’s resolution turns on... Continue Reading →
By: Donald L Swanson A bankruptcy bill on venue reform is sitting in Congress right now. The bill is H.R. 4421 – 116th Congress (2019-2020) and is titled, “Bankruptcy Venue Reform Act of 2019.” It aims to eradicate “forum shopping” abuses by eliminating forum selection options altogether. Opposed Hopefully, this bill goes nowhere and dies out.... Continue Reading →
By: Donald L Swanson The Nebraska Bankruptcy Court is the first in the nation to allow debtors to digitally sign petitions, schedules and other bankruptcy documents, rather than requiring a wet ink signature on paper documents. The Nebraska Rule On February 5, 2018, the Hon. Thomas L. Saladino, Chief Judge of the Nebraska Bankruptcy Court, amended... Continue Reading →
By: Donald L Swanson The Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 has the following discharge provisions: Plan confirmation “discharges the debtor from” specified debts (see § 1181(c), § 1192 & § 1141(d)(1)(A)); but The discharge takes effect only “after completion” of “all payments due within” the 3 to 5 years term of the plan (§ 1192).... Continue Reading →
By: Donald L Swanson There are things we take for granted in bankruptcy cases: like concepts of fresh start and of absolute priority and of adequate protection. But the source of such concepts is often murky. One of those take-for-granted things is this: the division of a secured claim into, (i) an allowed secured claim that... Continue Reading →
By: Donald L. Swanson In 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court issued two opinions on bankruptcy-specific topics that identify a common legal standard. The standard is this: In deciding a question under the Bankruptcy Code, look to legal standards that apply “outside bankruptcy” for guidance Both opinions do just that. Here’s how. FIRST OPINION The U.S. Supreme Court... Continue Reading →
By Donald L. Swanson The Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 is said to provide a “Chapter 12-type” reorganization opportunity for small businesses within Chapter 11. That comparison is apt. Here’s why: Chapter 12 came into existence, back in 1986, because farmers had difficulty getting plans of reorganization confirmed under Chapter 11; The Small Business Act... Continue Reading →
By Donald L. Swanson The Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 became law on August 23, 2019. But the date it takes effect is "180 days" later: on February 19, 2020. This new law helps small business reorganize under Chapter 11 in much the same way that farmers reorganize under Chapter 12 and consumers reorganize under... Continue Reading →
By Donald L. Swanson The Small Business Reorganization Act is now law! The House of Representatives passed it on July 25, 2019; The Senate passed it on August 1, 2019; and The President signed it on August 23, 2019. This Act is much-needed and long overdue. It provides Chapter 12-type relief for small businesses within Chapter... Continue Reading →
By: Donald L. Swanson Three bankruptcy bills recently navigated the political morass in Washington D.C. and became law on August 23, 2019. The three new laws are: Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 (H.R. 3311) Family Farmer Relief Act of 2019 (H.R. 2336) HAVEN Act (H.R. 2938). On August 29, 2019, the American Bankruptcy Institute ("ABI")... Continue Reading →
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