Justia Bankruptcy Opinion Summaries

Wettach was a partner at theTitus law firm, which rented space from Trizec under a long-term lease. After the firm's 1999 dissolution, Trizec filed suit against Titus’s former partners for unpaid rent. The Pennsylvania court found the partners jointly and severally liable for more than $2,700,000. Before that court entered final judgment Wettach filed a voluntary Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition, listing $3,551,500 in assets, including $2,951,500 in personal property, retirement accounts, insurance, and a checking account held by the entireties with his wife. Wettach claimed all of this property as exempt, primarily relying on the exemption for property held by the entireties, 11 U.S.C. 522(b)(1), (3)(B). Wettach joined another law firm and earned wages that the firm directly deposited into the entireties account. The Trustee claimed that these deposits constituted recoverable fraudulent transfers. Before the bankruptcy court could rule, the case was reassigned. The parties consented to the court issuing findings without a new trial. The court ruled in favor of the Trustee, awarding $428,868.12, plus $37,139.01 in interest. The district court and Third Circuit affirmed, rejecting challenges to allocation of the burdens of persuasion and production on the fraudulent transfer claims; evidentiary findings; and a legal determination that the deposit of wages into an account held by the entireties constituted “transfer” of an “asset” under Pennsylvania state law. View "In re: Wettach" on Justia Law

The Debtors own the Atlantic City Trump Taj Mahal casino. The union represents 1,136 employees. The 2011 collective bargaining agreement was to remain in effect through September 14, 2014 and continue in full force and effect from year to year thereafter, unless either party served 60 days written notice of its intention to terminate, modify, or amend. In March 2014, the Debtors gave notice of their “intention to terminate, modify or amend” and sought to begin negotiations. The Union initially declined. On August 20 the parties met. The Debtors emphasized their critical financial situation. No agreement was reached. The Debtors filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. On September 11, the Debtors asked the Union to extend the term of the CBA. The Union refused. The CBA expired. On September 17, the Debtors sent the Union a proposal with supporting documentation. After meetings, the Debtors successfully moved, under section 1113, to reject the CBA and implement the terms of the Debtors’ last proposal, asserting that rejection of the CBA was necessary to the reorganization.While 11 U.S.C. 1103 allows a debtor to terminate a CBA under certain circumstances, the National Labor Relations Act prohibits an employer from unilaterally changing CBA terms even after its expiration; key terms of an expired CBA continue to govern until the parties reach a new agreement or bargain to impasse. The Third Circuit affirmed, finding section 1113 does not distinguish between the terms of an unexpired CBA and terms that continue to govern after the CBA expires. View "In re: Trump Entm't Resorts" on Justia Law

Day’s company, Forever Green, sells artificial turf playing fields. It sued its competitor, ProGreen, for $5 million for diversion of corporate assets (Bucks County Action). Dawson, an owner of ProGreen and a former Forever Green sales representative, would be liable if damages are awarded. Dawson sued Forever Green for unpaid commissions and wages (Louisiana Action). Years later, the Louisiana court entered a consent judgment ( about $300,000) in favor of Dawson, which was not paid. Meanwhile, the Bucks County parties agreed to arbitrate. Weeks after the consent judgment entered, ProGreen moved to terminate arbitration, arguing that Forever Green was insolvent and that Day lacked “ability or desire to pay the Arbitrator’s fees and expenses.” Dawson obtained a writ of execution against the arbitrator. Recognizing that he was adverse to Dawson, the arbitrator suspended the arbitration until the fee issue was resolved. Forever Green sued to reinstate the arbitration. Dawson and a law firm that was owed $206,000 from Forever Green, filed an involuntary Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition against Forever Green, which satisfied the statutory criteria, 11 U.S.C. 303(b). The Bankruptcy Court dismissed the filing as being in bad faith. The Third Circuit affirmed, finding that bad faith provides a basis for dismissal independent of the statutory criteria for filing. View "Forever Green Athletic Fields, Inc. v. Dawson" on Justia Law