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Review of Target Board LBO Practices May Be Warranted Based on the Nine West Decision-But We Believe the Decision’s Impact Has Been Overstated

Business headlines have warned of a potential “chilling effect on buyouts” as a result of the decision recently issued by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in In re: Nine West LBO Securities Litigation (Dec. 4, 2020). Contrary to the views of some other commentators on the decision, we do not believe that the decision is likely to chill leveraged buyout activity, to upend how LBOs have been conducted, or to significantly increase the potential of liability for target company directors selling the company in an LBO.

USA, Company & Commercial, Corporate Finance/M&A, Insolvency & Restructuring, Litigation, Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson LLP, Private equity, Leveraged buyout, US District Court for the Southern District of New York
Update on Legal Issues and Developments Relating to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Coronavirus pandemic, while primarily a public health issue, is creating numerous legal concerns. We have identified some of the key issues and developments below. In addition, we have formed a task force comprised of partners and senior lawyers from across all practice groups and offices to track developments and provide timely guidance to clients on Coronavirus-related issues.

M&A

USA, Banking, Capital Markets, Company & Commercial, Corporate Finance/M&A, Employment & Labor, Insolvency & Restructuring, Litigation, Real Estate, Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson LLP, Corporate governance, Private equity, Due diligence, Coronavirus, Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 (USA)
Series of Avoidable Missteps by an Activist Stockholder and the Target Board Led the Court of Chancery to Find Fiduciary Breaches and Stockholder Aiding and Abetting in Connection With the Sale of a Company--PLX Technology

Avago Technologies Wireless (USA) Manufacturing Inc. acquired PLX Technologies, Inc. for $6.50 per share in cash. After the $300 million merger closed, certain former PLX stockholders sued for damages, alleging that the PLX directors had breached their fiduciary breaches, aided and abetted by both Potomac Capital Partners II, L.P. (a hedge fund that is an activist stockholder and had three designees on the PLX board) and the PLX board’s financial advisor (the “Banker”).

USA, Delaware, Banking, Company & Commercial, Corporate Finance/M&A, Insolvency & Restructuring, Litigation, Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson LLP, Shareholder, Fiduciary, Judicial review, Non-disclosure agreement, Court of Chancery, Delaware Court of Chancery
Whirlpool Corporation v. HHGreg, Inc. (In re HHGregg, Inc.)

(Bankr. S.D. Ind. Dec. 4, 2017)

The bankruptcy court grants the motion to dismiss, finding the defendant’s security interest in the debtor’s assets, including its inventory, has priority over the plaintiff’s reclamation rights. The plaintiff sold goods to the debtor up to the petition date and sought either return of the goods delivered within the reclamation period or recovery of the proceeds from the sale of such goods. Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 546(c), the Court finds the reclamation rights are subordinate and the complaint should be dismissed. Opinion below.

USA, Insolvency & Restructuring, Litigation, Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC, Debtor, United States bankruptcy court
In re Dickson

(Bankr. E.D. Ky. Nov. 22, 2017)

USA, Kentucky, Insolvency & Restructuring, Litigation, Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC
Bankruptcy opinions within a day or two of issuance from the Western and Eastern Districts of Kentucky, the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, the Sixth and Seventh Circuits, and the U.S. Supreme Court

(B.A.P. 6th Cir. Nov. 28, 2017)

The Sixth Circuit B.A.P. affirms the bankruptcy court’s dismissal of the Chapter 12 bankruptcy case. The court finds that the bankruptcy court failed to give the debtor proper notice and opportunity to be heard prior to the dismissal. However, the violation of due process was harmless error. The delay in filing a confirmable plan and continuing loss to the estate warranted the dismissal. Opinion below.

Judge: Preston

Attorney for Appellant: Heather McKeever

USA, Insolvency & Restructuring, Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC, Bankruptcy, Supreme Court of the United States, United States bankruptcy court, Sixth Circuit, Seventh Circuit
Cox v. Specialty Vehicle Solutions, LLC

(6th Cir. Nov. 14, 2017)

USA, Insolvency & Restructuring, Litigation, Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC, Sixth Circuit
In re Wilson

(Bankr. W.D. Ky. Nov. 1, 2017)

The bankruptcy court grants the creditor’s motion for stay relief to proceed with a state court foreclosure action. The creditor had obtained an order granting stay relief in a prior bankruptcy filed by the debtor’s son, the owner of the property. The debtor’s life estate interest in the property does not prevent the foreclosure action from proceeding. Opinion below.

Judge: Lloyd

Attorney for Debtor: Mark H. Flener

Attorney for Creditor: Bradley S. Salyer

USA, Insolvency & Restructuring, Litigation, Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC
Couch v. Panther Petroleum, LLC (In re Couch)

The Sixth Circuit affirms the B.A.P., holding the entry of summary judgment in favor of the creditors in the nondischargeability action was appropriate. The creditors obtained a default judgment against the debtor in Tennessee state court. The default judgment was on the merits and the doctrine of collateral estoppel applied. Opinion below.

Judge: Rogers

Appellant: Pro Se

Attorneys for Creditors: Keating, Muething & Klekamp, Joseph E. Lehnert, Brian P. Muething, Jason V. Stitt

USA, Insolvency & Restructuring, Litigation, Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC, Sixth Circuit
In re Lexington Hospitality Group, LLC

(Bankr. E.D. Ky. Nov. 1, 2011)

USA, Insolvency & Restructuring, Litigation, Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC