In these uncertain times, boards of directors face many important decisions about a company’s present and future actions, including reduction or suspension of dividends, layoffs, asset sales, unsolicited takeover offers, liquidation and even insolvency proceedings. In making these decisions, directors should remember their overarching responsibility for continuing oversight and informed decision-making.

The following is a list of some recent larger U.S. bankruptcy filings in various industries. To the extent you are a creditor to any of these debtors, or other entities which may have filed for bankruptcy protection, you as a creditor are entitled to certain protections under the Bankruptcy Code.  

AUTOMOTIVE

Saab files for reorganization in Sweden as General Motors Corp. ends support.  

BROADCASTING  

Young Broadcasting, affiliates restructure through Chapter 11; operations to continue.  

Yesterday afternoon, the House delayed a vote on H.R. 1106, “Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009” (the “Act”) after a little over an hour of debate, amidst unexpected opposition from some Democrats.

This week, Representative John Conyers introduced the “Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009” (H.R. 1106) (the “Act”), which has been circulated in advance of a vote by the House of Representatives anticipated as early as today. Additional amendments have been offered to the bill, but it is unclear which, if any, will be incorporated into the final text. It is not expected that the Senate will consider its version of the bill until mid-March.

The following is a list of some recent larger U.S. bankruptcy filings in various industries. To the extent you are a creditor to any of these debtors, or other entities which may have filed for bankruptcy protection, you as a creditor are entitled to certain protections under the Bankruptcy Code.  

ALUMINIUM

Aleris International U.S. operations file under Chapter 11; DIP financing approved.  

AUTOMOTIVE  

Court approves Key Plastics’ joint plan; Michigan company emerges from Chapter 11.  

One of the most significant tax provisions contained in the recently enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“ARRA”) might prove helpful to certain taxpayers looking to restructure their balance sheets.

This alert has been prompted by a recent decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals that has a potentially huge impact on the treatment under U.S. bankruptcy law of contracts that entail a physical delivery of commodities. The decision is a positive development for those that had entered into a physically settled transaction with an entity which has subsequently become subject to a U.S. bankruptcy procedure as such transactions may qualify as a "swap agreement" and therefore fall within the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S.

The following is a list of some recent larger U.S. bankruptcy filings in various industries. To the extent you are a creditor to any of these debtors, or other entities which may have filed for bankruptcy protection, you as a creditor are entitled to certain protections under the Bankruptcy Code.  

AUTOMOTIVE

Rexhall Industries, Inc. files in the Central District of California.  

Foamex International Inc. files in the District of Delaware.  

Country Coach, LLC files in the District of Oregon.  

When an insurance company becomes insolvent, one key issue is the extent to which the insurer's liquidator may recover prior payments made by the insurer. On February 23, 2009, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania issued a significant decision limiting such recoveries. The court held that payments made by a failed Pennsylvania insurance company in the ordinary course of business are not recoverable by the statutory liquidator of the insolvent insurer.

For the first time, individuals filing for bankruptcy protection may soon be able to reduce principal and interest on home mortgage obligations and prevent enforcement of certain mortgages even after entry of a foreclosure judgment.