Law Commons^™

The Poor Man's Problem In Bankruptcy, Rylee Stanley

St. Mary's Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Chief Loophole Officer Or Chief Legal Officer: Inside Lehman Brothers—A Film Case Study About Corporate And Legal Ethics, Garrick Apollon

St. Mary's Journal on Legal Malpractice & Ethics

This Article discusses the continuing legal education (CLE) visual advocacy documentary-style program, which Garrick Apollon (author of this Article) researched and developed. The case study for this CLE documentary-style program is the film Inside Lehman Brothers—a documentary film by Jennifer Deschamps which chronicles the story of the Lehman whistleblowers. The film presents Mathew Lee, former senior vice president overseeing Lehman’s global balance sheet; Oliver Budde, former in-house counsel (associate general counsel) of the Lehman Brothers; and the racialized female mid-tier manager whistleblowers, who all paid a steep price in the 2008 American subprime mortgage crisis, while many of the …

Appraising Problems, Not Stuff, Chad J. Pomeroy

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract forthcoming.

“Listserv Lawyering”: Definition And Exploration Of Its Utility In Representation Of Consumer Debtors In Bankruptcy And In Law Practice Generally, Josiah M. Daniel Iii

St. Mary's Journal on Legal Malpractice & Ethics

The author examines the communications and activities of bankruptcy lawyers participating in the listserv of the Bankruptcy Law Section of the State Bar of Texas and finds that those activities constitute a previously unrecognized form of “lawyering,” which he has defined as the work of lawyers in and through the legal system to accomplish the objectives of their clients. Review of specific postings about legal issues and practical problems by Texas bankruptcy lawyers, whose practices are primarily on behalf of individual debtors in cases under Chapters 7 and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code, and observations about the voluntary, collaborative, and …

Loopholes For The Affluent Bankrupt, David R. Hague

Faculty Articles

Recent bankruptcy cases are exposing a problem. Affluent individuals filing for bankruptcy are treated more favorably under the Bankruptcy Code than those debtors with little to no means of financial sustenance or income. Did Congress intend this result? The legislative history is unclear. But one thing seems certain: The United States Bankruptcy Code contains a set of loopholes that appear to be designed for the well-to-do segment of society. Courts throughout the United States are either overlooking these provisions or simply condoning their utilization under the defensible conviction that the Bankruptcy Code permits it.

In this Article, I argue that …

Unlimited Liability For Banks: Deposits As Fraudulent Transfers, Katherine Zampas

St. Mary's Law Journal

One of a trustee’s most valuable resources in bankruptcy proceedings is his avoidance powers. A trustee is charged with the duty to recover and recapture any property wrongfully removed from the estate by way of fraudulent transfer or preference. In some cases, a trustee has attempted to treat a debtor’s deposit into a bank account as a transfer, rendering it subject to his avoidance powers. Such a result will leave banks collaterally responsible as a transferee for a debtor’s conduct despite their lack of culpability and control over the funds.

The definition of transfer within the Bankruptcy Code is comprehensive …

Milking The Estate, David R. Hague

Faculty Articles

Recent Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases are exposing a widespread problem. Chapter 7 trustees are retaining their own law firms to represent them and then in clear breach of their fiduciary duties to creditors-requesting illegitimate legal fees to be paid by the estate. This practice is immoral and particularly harmful to creditors. Indeed, every dollar paid to the trustee and his firm is a dollar that will not be distributed to creditors. The Bankruptcy Code, remarkably, allows a trustee to retain his own law firm to represent him in his capacity as a trustee. But this inherently conflicted arrangement is not …

Domestic Asset Tracing And Recovery Of Hidden Assets And The Spoils Of Financial Crime, Nathan Wadlinger, Carl Pacini, Nicole Stowell, William Hopwood, Debra Sinclair

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract forthcoming

Sare Manipulation: The Hurdles In Single-Asset Real Estate Cases, David R. Hague

Faculty Articles

Under § 1129(a)(10) of the Bankruptcy Code, a debtor's plan of reorganization cannot be confirmed unless at least one "impaired class" accepts the plan, excluding acceptance of any insider of the debtor. A class of claims accepts the plan if more than one-half in number and at least two-thirds in amount of claims voting in a class favor the plan. Thus, a debtor's composition of its classes clearly has a substantial impact upon its chances of successfully confirming its plan of reorganization over dissenting creditors. Obviously, the debtor would like to have unfettered power and full discretion to group creditors …

In Memory Of Roderick Glen Ayers, Jr. (1947–2017), Professor Of Law, St. Mary's University School Of Law, Craig A. Gargotta, William R. "Dick" Davis Jr.

St. Mary's Law Journal

On September 27, 2017, Glen Ayers, a former professor at St. Mary’s School of Law, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. Two St. Mary's alumni—Bankruptcy Judge Craig A. Gargotta (1989) and William R. “Dick” Davis, Jr. (1983)—have provided this tribute to an icon of San Antonio’s bankruptcy bar.

Turnover Actions And The “Floating Check” Controversy, David R. Hague

Faculty Articles

When a debtor files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a Chapter 7 trustee is appointed and is charged with collecting and reducing to money the property of the bankruptcy estate. One of the most basic collection methods a trustee possesses is its turnover power under § 542(a) of the Bankruptcy Code. Pursuant to § 542(a), an entity in possession, custody, or control, during the bankruptcy case, of property that the trustee may use, sell, or lease, must deliver to the trustee, and account for, such property or the value of such property.

An interesting issue has arisen that is placing debtors …

Consumer Bankruptcy Policy: Ability To Pay And Catholic Social Teaching, Richard E. Flint

Faculty Articles

An essay is presented on consumer bankruptcy policy in the U.S. It informs about the significant changes in the consumer bankruptcy introduced by the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 including incorporation of an ability-to-pay test as a requirement for getting the benefits of the act. It reviews the Catholic social teaching related to the interrelationship between the dignity of man and his rights and duties to promote justice and the common good.

Erisa: Anti-Alienation Superiority In Bankruptcy, George Lee Flint Jr

Faculty Articles

Both ERISA and the Bankruptcy Code consider the issue of debtor-participant’s interest in certain pension trusts when an action has been undertaken against the bankrupt debtor participant’s estate. Many jurisdictions have offered conflicting views on the handling of the interest. These conflicts create litigious interpretation and choice of law problems and place plan administrators at risk for breach of fiduciary duty depending on jurisdictional interpretation. Paying-out a bankruptcy trustee’s turnover demand could affect the tax qualified status of the pension plan, thereby hurting all plan participants. ERISA’s preemption provision was drafted to create uniformity among the states in interpreting employee …

Bankruptcy: Pre-Petition Acceleration Of Mortgage Debt On Principal Residence - Arrearages May Be Cured Under Chapter 13 Plan And Original Payment Schedule Reinstated., Laura Ann Frase

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

Debt Adjustment Under Chapter 13 Of The Bankruptcy Reform Act Of 1978 Selected Articles On The Bankruptcy Reform Act Of 1978., Evelyn H. Biery

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

The Trustee's Avoiding Powers Under The Bankruptcy Act And The New Code: A Comparative Analysis Selected Articles On The Bankruptcy Reform Act Of 1978., Vernon O. Teofan, L. E. Creel Iii

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

Introduction Selected Articles On The Bankruptcy Reform Act Of 1978 - Introduction., David G. Epstein

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

Community Property And The Banruptcy Reform Act Of 1978 Selected Articles On The Bankruptcy Reform Act Of 1978., Alan Pedlar

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

Chapter 11 Of The 1978 Bankruptcy Code Or Whatever Happened To Good Old Chapter Xi Selected Articles On The Bankruptcy Reform Act Of 1978., Arthur L. Moller

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

Issuing Securities Under The New Bankruptcy Code: More Magic For The Cryptic Kingdom Selected Articles On The Bankruptcy Reform Act Of 1978., Robin E. Phelan, Bruce A. Cheatham

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

The Bankruptcy Court Under The New Bankruptcy Law: Its Structure, Jurisdiction, Venue, And Procedure Selected Articles On The Bankruptcy Reform Act Of 1978., Frank R. Kennedy

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

Perfection Of A California Tax Lien., Lewis D. Wall

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.