(6th Cir. Nov. 14, 2017)

Citing historically low electricity prices and a challenging business environment for power generators, Chicago-based Exelon Corp. filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy protections for Exelon Generation Texas Power LLC (“EGTP”) — a merchant generation unit Exelon owns in Texas.  The unit will continue to own and operate the 1,265 MW Handley Generating Station in Fort Worth, Texas, in exchange for a $60 million payment to the lenders.

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

Richard Cordray, the first and only Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, announced today that he will resign from the Bureau by the end of November–presumably in order to explore a run for governor in his home state of Ohio. Cordray, a Democrat, was appointed to serve as the agency’s first Director in a recess appointment by former President Obama in 2012. He was subsequently confirmed by the Senate in July of 2013. Since that time, Cordray has been the face of the young agency as it pursued aggressive policy and enforcement initiatives.

Perhaps this is one of the first articles you’re reading about the debt crisis in Venezuela. It won’t be the last. The situation there is bad and will get worse.

Substantial changes to the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (“FRBP”), which become effective as of December 1, 2017, could greatly affect the rights of various creditors.  One of the most significant changes is the adoption of an official form Chapter 13 Plan.  This is the first time Congress has implemented a national form Chapter 13 Plan.  The form Chapter 13 Plan will allow creditors to more easily identify how their claims are going to be treated and provide more uniformity amongst the various jurisdictions.  Districts have the ability to opt out of using the fo

In Cal Dive Offshore Contractors, Inc. v. M/V SAMPSON, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York considered a claim by vessel manager Cal Dive Offshore Contractors, Inc. (“Cal Dive”) for unpaid services against the vessel in rem, the owner CVI Global Lux Oil and Gas 4 S.a.r.l (“CVI”), and CarVal investors, LLC (“CarVal”) as owner’s agent. Following a trial, the district court held that Cal Dive’s maritime lien and in personam claims failed. Cal Dive has since filed an appeal, which remains to be decided.

Venezuela’s initiative is unlikely to set the stage for a restructuring of international obligations in the face of US sanctions.

Key Points:

• US sanctions will prohibit US persons from engaging in a restructuring of Venezuela and PdVSA debts that includes the issuance of “new” long term debt.

• Creditors should expect that enforcement action will follow a default. The outcomes of that enforcement action will affect all stakeholders, whether or not they participate.

Restructuring Announcement

As the Supreme Court prepares to hear oral argument in Oil States Energy Services LLC v Greene's Energy Group LLC, the constitutionality and structure of inter partes review hangs in the balance. In 2011 Congress enacted the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, which established the existence of inter partes review proceedings. Inter partes reviews allow private third parties to challenge certain patent validity issues before the US Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).

A recent decision of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York provides important guidance on the limits of nonconsensual third-party releases in the Second Circuit.[1] SunEdison, Inc. sought confirmation of a plan for itself and its affiliated debtors.