ATexasBankruptcyLawyersBlog

Self-Insured Retention Poses Problem for Discrimination Plaintiff

05/26/21

 The intersection between bankruptcy and personal injury tort claims can be a difficult one, as shown by a new opinion from Judge Marvin Isgur in Case No. 20-33900, In re Tailored Brands, Inc. (Bankr. S.D. Tex. 5/20/21). The opinion can be found here.

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NRA Decision Illustrates Vitality of Good Faith Doctrine

05/17/21

When the National Rifle Association filed for bankruptcy in Texas, some pundits speculated that the gun advocates might have been seeking a firearm friendly forum. However, on May 11, 2021, Judge Harlin "Cooter" Hale dismissed the case based on lack of good faith. In re National Rifle Association of America and Sea Girt, LLC, No. 21-30085 (Bankr. N.D. Tex. May 11, 2021). You can find the opinion here.

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The Consent Trap

03/03/21

A new decision from the Fifth Circuit holds that implied consent cannot overcome a formal denial of consent to entry of a final judgment by a magistrate judge, even when the objecting party expressly consented.  PNC Bank v. Ruiz, Case No. 20-50255 (5th Cir. 3/3/2021), which can be accessed here.  The decision is of interest to bankruptcy lawyers because the issue of consent is common to the actions of both bankruptcy judges and magistrate judges.

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NRA Filing Illustrates Venue Loophole for Chapter 11 Filers

01/16/21

The National Rifle Association likes guns. Texans like guns. Therefore, when the NRA decided to file bankruptcy, there was a certain logic to filing in Texas. Unfortunately, however, prior to November 24, 2020, the NRA had no legal right to file bankruptcy in Texas. This did not deter the gun rights advocates. They created one.

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Supreme Court Rules That Passive Retention Does Not Violate Stay

01/14/21

 The Supreme Court decided that a creditor which passively retains possession of estate property does not "exercise control" over such property in violation of 11 U.S.C. Sec. 362(a)(3). The Court viewed the word "exercise" to require active measures.  Case No. 19-357, Chicago v. Fulton (1/14/21), which can be found here.

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Fifth Circuit Resurrects Fraud Suit Based on Removal to Bankruptcy Court

12/15/20

 In a very convoluted case, a plaintiff learned that removal to Bankruptcy Court can result in a do-over of adverse state court rulings.  Cohen v. Gilmore (Matter of Alabama & Dunlavy), Case No. 19-20152 (5th Cir. 12/15/20).  While the Rooker-Feldman doctrine prohibits a federal court from re-examining findings in an unrelated state court case, it does not grant similar protections in a removed action for the reason that the removed action is a continuation of the original case, just with a different presiding court.

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A Few Thoughts on the Opinions of Amy Coney Barrett

09/30/20

 This post was originally intended to be about the bankruptcy jurisprudence of Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett. That would have been a very short post. She has been on panels which issued seven per curiam unpublished opinions in bankruptcy matters, none of which were very remarkable. Instead, I will look at three of her opinions dealing with consumer financial services and cases where she did not rule for law enforcement or employers,  traditional favorites of conservatives.

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Texas Sees Surge in Large Bankruptcy Filings

08/20/20

Texas lawyers have long bemoaned the tendency of large Texas-based companies to file bankruptcy in Delaware or New York. However, with the collapse in oil prices and the impact of Covid-19 on retail, many large companies are seeking to restructure in Texas. Since January, 36 groups of companies reporting at least $100 million in assets have filed Texas cases.

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Could Unpaid Cities File an Involuntary Bankruptcy Against Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.?

08/03/20
President Donald J. Trump knows a little something about bankruptcy. At least four of his casinos and hotels have filed voluntary reorganization petitions, but could his presidential campaign be placed into involuntary bankruptcy over unpaid security bills to cities? This hypothetical provides a great vehicle for discussing the mechanics of how an involuntary petition gets filed and the consequences arising from it.
Some Background
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Legal Blogger Beats Defamation Rap for Cheeky Headline

07/14/20

The Second Circuit has sided with a blogger who was sued for defamation for his headline "TCPA Class Certification Denial Exposes Major Spousal Scheme."  Wexler v. Dorsey & Whitney, LLP, 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 21474 (2nd Cir. 7/9/20). While the case does not fall within the usual fare for this blog, I am always happy to write about another blogger.

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