It’s no secret that Delaware, New York (Southern District), and Texas (at least since the oil and gas crisis) have become known as the “hotspots” for filing large chapter 11 bankruptcy cases. Whether due to desirable precedent, well qualified judges, the responsiveness of the Courts to the need for prompt scheduling of hearings, or a sense of uniformity, most large companies have historically chosen to file in these venues. However, these popular venues appear to have a rival.

The Woodbridge Group of Companies, LLC, a real estate finance and development company based in Sherman Oaks, CA, has filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, along with two hundred and seventy five subsidiaries and affiliates (Lead Case No. 17-12560).

In order to secure a real property owner’s payment obligation, contractors, mechanics, materialmen, and other workmen are often granted a lien referred to by a variety of names including, materialmen’s liens, workmen’s liens, and mechanic’s liens. While the parlance varies by jurisdiction, they are generally referred to as mechanic’s liens in Texas—even in the context of real property.

Real Industry Inc., a publicly traded holding company based in New York, has, along with seven subsidiaries and affiliates, including its only operating subsidiary, an aluminum recycling and alloy production company based in Beachwood, Ohio, has filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Lead Case No.

Maurice Sporting Goods, Inc., along with four affiliates and subsidiaries, has filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Lead Case No. 17-12481). Maurice, which is headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, engages in the manufacturing, sourcing, distribution and wholesale of outdoor sporting goods products.

Velocity Holding Company, Inc., a wholesale distributor, designer, manufacturer, retailer and marketer of branded aftermarket parts, accessories and apparel for the powersports (motorcycle and related) industry based in Coppell, Texas, along with nineteen of its affiliates and subsidiaries, has filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 in the Bankruptc

ExGen Texas Power, LLC, along with six of its subsidiaries and affiliates, has filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Lead Case No. 17-12377). ExGen’s Petition reports $100 – $500 million in assets and $500 million – $1 billion in liabilities.

Exelco NV, a diamond and precious metals trader based in Antwerp, Belgium, has filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 15 in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Case No. 17-12409).

M&G USA Corporation has filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Case No. 17-12307). M&G USA Corporation is an affiliate of M&G Polymers USA, LCC, which filed for relief last week (Lead Case No. 17-12268) and is pending before the Honorable Brendan Linehan Shannon. M&G USA Corporation’s Petition reports $1 – $10 billion in both assets and liabilities.

History: In a June 14, 2017, bankruptcy blog titled “Six Degrees of Separation: Use of Bankruptcy Rule 2004 Examination in Connection with Third-Party Litigation“, we reported on what appeared to be a case of first impression that arose in a case pending before United States Bankruptcy Judge Stuart Bernstein in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern Distr