The latest amendments to the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (the “Bankruptcy Rules”) took effect on December 1, 2022. This collection of modifications may be broadly divided into two categories: (i) amendments and a new rule promulgated to account for the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 (the “SBRA”), and (ii) amendments clarifying or consolidating non-SBRA specific Bankruptcy Rules.

SBRA-Related Amendments

Crypto investors were dealt another blow on November 11 when FTX, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange, filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy relief in the District of Delaware, along with more than 130 related companies and affiliates. The bankruptcy was spawned by liquidity issues brought on by the sudden collapse in value of FTX’s crypto assets. Starting on November 6, customers simultaneously attempted to withdraw their funds and assets from the exchange, causing a situation akin to a classic bank run that led to an estimated $32 billion in value quickly evaporating.

Could bankruptcy protection be on the horizon for individuals and companies actively involved in the cannabis industry? Potentially yes, following President Biden’s October 6, 2022 request for the Secretary of Health and Human Services to begin the administrative process to review marijuana’s classification as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substance Act (“CSA”).

Asbestos litigation continues to rage on in the tort system with no likelihood of receding in the immediate future. In addition to the inherent costs associated with having to defend and settle asbestos claims, managing asbestos litigation can be a significant distraction for corporate officers and directors from running their businesses. The overhang of asbestos litigation can also severely dampen the value of an otherwise successful and profitable company.

Voyager Digital Assets Inc., along with two of its affiliates, filed bankruptcy petitions in the Southern District of New York on July 5, 2022. The filing is significant—it followed months of an extreme downturn in the cryptocurrency sector which led to the collapse of Three Arrows Capital, a Singaporean cryptocurrency hedge fund (that borrowed $350 million and 15,250 Bitcoins from Voyager).

When a company receives notice that one of its customers has filed for bankruptcy, the initial response may be “Great, there goes the prospect of receiving payment of those outstanding invoices.” While that may be the ultimate outcome, the only way that result may be locked in with certainty is if the company fails to properly assert its claim against the debtor customer in the bankruptcy proceeding. Fortunately, in many instances, filing a proof of claim in a bankruptcy is a simple and straightforward process, and may not even require the assistance of counsel.

Key Note:

With Hertz emerging from a bankruptcy with a positive result for shareholders, we are reminded of the interplay between the equity markets and the bankruptcy alternative.

Some firms facing financial challenges during the pandemic were able to avoid a bankruptcy filing altogether because of their ability to raise the necessary funds through an equity offering. Hertz provides an example of a situation where the bankruptcy filing instead of wiping out the equity enhanced value.

Over the past year, the Covid-19 pandemic upended many industries. While the construction industry has largely been able to operate throughout the pandemic, albeit with increased and ever-changing restrictions on jobsites, one consequence of these disruptions may be an increase in construction-related bankruptcy filings. Already in 2021, there have been over 70 construction-related bankruptcy filings across the country. For many property owners and real estate developers, these filings create a nightmare scenario where work may slow or even stop entirely.

A recent decision by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York highlights directors’ fiduciary duty to evaluate all aspects of multi-stage transactions, including those portions to be effectuated post-closing by successor directors.