The Honorable Brendan L. Shannon

Fee Disgorgement Can be the Least of Your Problems

10/26/17

In a decision signed October 25, 2017, Judge Shannon of the Delaware Bankruptcy Court issued an opinion requiring a professional to disgorge fees, pay a sanction of $25,000, and enjoined him from taking various actions in bankruptcy court. Judge Shannon’s opinion is available here (the “Opinion”).

[more]

A Free House – But No Additional Damages

08/24/17

On August 23, 2017, Judge Shannon of the Delaware Bankruptcy Court issued an order that is a reminder that this is a court of equity – and that at the end of the day, he will act equitably.  A copy of Judge Shannon’s opinion (the “Opinion”) is available here.  Mr. Welsh filed the complaint that led to this Opinion, seeking damages for emotional distress, and punitive damages, for alleged violations of the automatic stay.

[more]

Claims Objections Overruled in Seegrid Bankruptcy

10/31/16

On October 27, 2016, Chief Judge Brendan L. Shannon of the Delaware Bankruptcy Court issued an opinion overruling objections to the claims of Seegrid’s former CEO.  A copy of the Opinion is available here.

[more]

Lien Stripping in Bankruptcy

10/17/16

On October 11, 2016, Chief Judge Brendan L. Shannon of the Delaware Bankruptcy Court issued a letter ruling in which he opined on the appropriate valuation of a fist lien.  A copy of the Opinion is available here.

[more]

Motion to Dismiss Second Amended Complaint – Another AgFeed Opinion

09/15/16

On February 19, 2016, Judge Brendan L. Shannon of the Delaware Bankruptcy Court granted in part the motion of K. Ivan F. Gothner (the “Defendant”) to dismiss a complaint filed by JLL Consultants, the Liquidating Trustee (the “Trustee”) in the AgFeed bankruptcy.  I summarized that opinion in a prior post: Opinion in AgFeed USA – Another (Mostly) Successful Motion to Dismiss

[more]

Yes. It is Possible to Avoid Tax Penalty Claims in Bankruptcy

08/05/16

On August 2, 2016, Judge Brendan L. Shannon of the Delaware Bankruptcy Court issued an opinion (the “Opinion”) in the Refco Public Commodity Pool, L.P. bankruptcy, Case No. 14-11216.  A copy of the Opinion is available here.  The Opinion holds that this Debtor’s failure to file its taxes was due to reasonable cause, and the associated tax penalties are, therefor, claims that can be excused and disallowed.

[more]

Valuing Assets in Chapter 13

07/12/16

While many people only see the glamorous, large Chapter 11 cases filed in the Delaware Bankruptcy Court, the Court still handles individual bankruptcies – treating them with just as much respect as any other case.  On July 8, 2016, the chief bankruptcy judge, Brendan L. Shannon, issued an opinion valuing the mobile home of Ms.

[more]

Opinion in Syntax-Brillian – A Multitude of Lessons

05/12/16

In a 9-page opinion issued in the Syntax-Brillian case on May 11, 2016, Chief Judge Brendan L. Shannon lays out three principles of law that all litigants should know (if they don’t already).  A copy of the Opinion is available on the Court’s website: Here.  The Opinion was issued as a ruling on the motion of Alan Levine for relief from the order accepting the first-day-declaration of Gregory F. Rayburn.

[more]

Hancock Fabrics, Inc. Files for Bankruptcy

02/03/16

On February 2, 2016, Hancock Fabrics, Inc. and 6 affiliates filed for relief under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.  The cases are jointly administered under Case Number 16-10296 and presided over by Judge Shannon.  The first day hearing was held on February 3, 2016.  The second day hearing is scheduled for February 22, 2016 at 1:00 p.m.

[more]

Opinion in AgFeed USA – A Release of all Known and Unknown Causes is Binding, Even in Bankruptcy Court

12/15/15

On December 15, 2015, Judge Brendan L. Shannon of the Delaware Bankruptcy Court granted the motion of Hormel Foods (the “Defendant”) to dismiss a complaint filed by JLL Consultants, the Liquidating Trustee (the “Trustee”) in the AgFeed bankruptcy.  The “Opinion” is available here.

[more]