On March 21st, Blue Springs Ford ("Blue Springs") filed a chapter 11 petition for bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Based in Blue Springs, Missouri, Blue Springs has operated as an authorized Ford dealership since 1978. Like most dealerships, the company sells and services Ford vehicles and provides general maintenance and repair services. See the Declaration of Blues Springs' President in Support of First Day Motions (the "Declaration" or "Decl.") at *2.
Introduction
Summary
In a 23 page decision signed July 15, 2011, Judge Walsh of the Delaware Bankruptcy Court denied a motion to allow a plaintiff to file an amended complaint, holding that the amended complaint was too deficient to survive a motion to dismiss and therefore would not be allowed. Judge Walsh’s opinion is available here (the “Opinion”).
Background
Summary
Introduction
In January of this year, George L Miller, the chapter 7 trustee (the "Trustee") in the WL Homes bankruptcy, began filing avoidance actions against various creditors. As alleged in the complaints, the Trustee seeks the recovery of what he deems are "preferential transfers" pursuant to 11 U.S.C. section 547(b) of the Bankruptcy Code. This post will look briefly at the WL Homes bankruptcy, as well as provide information on common issues that arise in preference litigation.
Background on the Bankruptcy Proceeding
A discovery dispute gave the bankruptcy court an opportunity to rule on the common interest privilege which, the court said, has completely replaced the joint defense privilege for information sharing among clients with different attorneys, citing In re Teleglobe Communications Corp., 493 F.3d 345, 364 n. 20 (3d Cir. 2007). Leslie Controls, Inc., Case No. 10-12199 (Bankr. D. Del. 9/21/10)(Sontchi, B.J.).
Introduction
American Safety Razor Company ("ASR"), one of the largest manufacturers of shaving razors and blades, filed for bankruptcy protection in Delaware on July 28, 2010. According to the Declaration of ASR's Chief Financial Officer, Andrew Bolt (the "Bolt Declaration"), the company's net sales for 2009 totaled $330 million, down from the $351 million in sales achieved in 2008. See Bolt Declaration, pgh. 11.
Introduction
Section 548 of the United States Bankruptcy Code allows for the avoidance of transfers that are either intentionally or constructively fraudulent. Section 548 provides, in relevant part, as follows:
In an 8 page decision dated October 19, 2016, Judge Carey of the Delaware Bankruptcy Court overruled an objection to the reclassification of the claim of a terminated employee. Judge Carey’s opinion is available here (the “Opinion”). This employee (“Mangan”) was a fifteen year veteran of the Debtor, and was entitled to 15 weeks of severance pay upon termination. That is not in dispute.
On October 16, 2012, battery maker A123 Systems, Inc., and various subsidiaries, filed chapter 11 petitions for bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. A123 started its business in 2001 seeking to capitalize on the growing use of lithium-ion batteries in transportation and energy systems. According to papers filed with the Bankruptcy Court, the company first began producing commercial batteries in 2006. See Declaration of David Prystash in Support of Chapter 11 Petitions and First Day Motions (hereinafter the "Decl.") at *4. By