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Thomas J. Shroyer presentation to Fireman's Fund Claims Professionals, Oct. 25, 2012
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Managing Claims in
Bankruptcy
Presented by Thomas J Shroyer Moss & Barnett
to Fireman’s Fund October 25, 2012
Presented by
Thomas J Shroyer
Moss & Barnett
Gateway to Claims
Bankruptcy law gives tremendous power to Trustees
Pre-suit discovery under Rule 2004
Liquidating assets provide unlimited budget to trustees, legal counsel and experts
National service of process/venue
Private Action Trusts maximize threat to policy limits
Types of Claims
CPAs: failed audits, tax advice and preparation
Lawyers: PPMs, leveraged buyouts, securities or other client fraud
Directors: fiduciary duties, securities fraud, embezzlement
No limit on any state or federal claim
Types of Proceedings
Receivership compared to Bankruptcy
• Article III v. US Bankruptcy Court
• Receiver usually files bankruptcy petition
• Tied to criminal forfeiture proceedings
Chapter 7 versus Chapter 11
• Total liquidation versus “work out” or sale
Adversary Complaint
• Option for Article III or Bankruptcy Court
Typical Pathway to Claim
Company files bankruptcy petition in creditor friendly/predictable venue (DE or SDNY)
Trustee appointed
Creditors file claims (including insured?)
Rule 2004 discovery (no real limit; A/C privilege)
Substantive Consolidation of all related parties
Liquidation Plan (not C. 11 reorganization)
Adversary Complaints
Procedural Issues
Venue transfer motion
Motion to “withdraw the reference” (i.e., move case out of US Bankruptcy Court)? • Return to Article III judge • Pros/cons • Jury v. bench trial
Consolidation of multiple cases?
Jurisdiction
Choice of law
Legal Defenses
Trustee “stands in the shoes” • In pari delicto/ Waggoner Doctrine
Mixture of federal and state law Complex and fact intensive Inconsistent application
• Comparative fault Contrast to in pari delicto
PSLRA pleading standards Iqbal-Twombley pleading standards Aiding and abetting
• Stoneridge (SCOTUS 2008) RICO
Clawback Claims
Fraudulent conveyances
Ponzi profits
Loss Causation/Damages Issues
“Deepening Insolvency”
Damages models
• Out of pocket
• Benefit of the bargain
Creditor preferences (secured v. unsecured)
Third Party Practice
Can Trustee preempt suit v. D & Os?
Injunction to bar creditors from directly suing
• Trustee power to control all claims to get most for all creditors from limited insurance coverage
Private Action Trusts
The “new kid” in town
Ultra vires?
Huge impact on case dynamics
• Too big to defend (or too small to settle)?
• Convert to class action?
Settlement
Timing issues
ADR
• Mediation
• Arbitration
Estate liquidation/recovery
Bar of third party and creditor claims
Class action
• Procedures
• Time
Q&A
Thanks for listening!