August 22, 2002 | The Legal Intelligencer
Can Chapter 13 Debtors Modify Plans to Surrender Cars?Among the various forms of bankruptcy cases, those under Chapter 7 are sometimes characterized as the most static, with debtors` and creditors` rights and obligations set as of the time the petition for relief is filed. By contrast, cases under Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 are more fluid and forward-looking. Their resolution is dependent upon future events.
By Rudolph J. Di Massa Jr.
10 minute read
March 11, 2005 | The Legal Intelligencer
Pre-Petition Automatic Stay Waiver May Be EnforceableIs a debtor's pre-petition waiver of the automatic stay enforceable? Under the right circumstances it is, according to Bankruptcy Judge Brown of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Vermont.
By Rudolph J. Di Massa Jr. and Sommer L. Ross
8 minute read
January 17, 2002 | The Legal Intelligencer
11th Circuit Tackles Handling of Attorneys` FeesIn its recent decision, Welzel v. Advocate Realty Investments LLC (In re Welzel), the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals resolved two related issues under 11 U.S.C. Section 506(b) as a matter of first impression.
By Rudolph J. Di Massa Jr.Special to the Legal
7 minute read
March 15, 2002 | New Jersey Law Journal
Applying and Bifurcating Contractual Attorneys` FeesThe reasonableness standard of 11 U.S.C. 506(b) applies even when contractual attorneys` fees are otherwise vested and enforceable under state law. And just because fees are deemed to be unreasonable under �506(b), they are not automatically disallowed.
By Rudolph J. Di Massa Jr.
7 minute read
January 06, 2006 | The Legal Intelligencer
Claim Traders Beware: When Equitable Subordination AppliesRecently, in In re Enron Corp., U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Arthur J. Gonzalez of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York was faced with the novel question of whether proofs of claim, which were transferred by the original claim holder (who is alleged to have engaged in inequitable conduct unrelated to the transaction that gave rise to the claims) would be subject to subordination in the hands of a transferee under Section 510(c) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
By Rudolph J. Di Massa Jr. And Sommer L. Ross
11 minute read
February 21, 2002 | The Legal Intelligencer
Debtor`s Widow May Use NOLs on Joint Tax Returns SECTION 172Husband Died After Filing
By Rudolph J. Di Massa Jr.
8 minute read
May 19, 2003 | New Jersey Law Journal
Ambiguity in a Security Agreement Can Be Challenged by CreditorsWhile a security agreement defines the terms of the agreement between a debtor and creditor, the corresponding financing statement is, more often than not, simply a vehicle upon which other parties, including other creditors, rely to determine whether collateral is encumbered.
By Rudolph J. Di Massa Jr
8 minute read
April 21, 2005 | Law.com
Preliminary Injunction May Issue to Preserve Assets in Adversary ProceedingIn Rubin v. Pringle, the 9th Circuit held that in an adversary proceeding in bankruptcy court, a lawyer can be deemed to be the client's implied agent to receive service of process when the lawyer repeatedly represented that client in the underlying bankruptcy case. The court also held that Grupo Mexicano de Desarrollo, S.A. v. Alliance Bond Fund Inc. does not bar a preliminary injunction freezing assets where fraudulent conveyance or equitable causes of action are pleaded in bankruptcy.
By Rudolph J. Di Massa Jr. and Joann C. Moscariello
6 minute read
April 01, 2011 | The Legal Intelligencer
2nd Circuit Rejects Gifting Doctrine in Chapter 11 BankruptciesThe 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently held that the "gifting" of recoveries from senior creditors to either junior creditors or shareholders, over the objection of an intermediate creditor class, is impermissible under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.
By Rudolph J. Di Massa Jr. and Laura D. Bonner
8 minute read
August 27, 2004 | The Legal Intelligencer
Mickowski v. Visi-Trak Worldwide and Successor LiabilityWith limited exceptions, the law of successor liability in most states provides that a successor is not liable for the debts and liabilities of its predecessor.
By Rudolph J. Di Massa Jr. and Rasheena Harris
10 minute read