The fight over the validity of so-called unfinished business claims in law firm bankruptcies is heating up in courts on both coasts this week.

Examiner Anton Valukas avoids stating an opinion about the litigation between Barclays and the Lehman estate and creditors, but his report provides a detailed account of events leading up to the sale. He finds some support for Lehman's argument that certain assets were undervalued--yet no evidence of a quid pro quo conspiracy.

SEC Chairwoman Mary Jo White chose Philip Falcone and his hedge fund, Harbinger Capital Partners, as the agency's first target in an effort to extract tougher settlements from defendants. What hasn't been publicly noted is that Harbinger is currently a client of White's former firm, Debevoise & Plimpton.