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Articles 1 - 30 of 30
Full-Text Articles in Law
Reimagining “Reasonableness” Under Section 330(A) In A World Of Technology, Data, And Artificial Intelligence, Nancy B. Rapoport, Joseph R. Tiano Jr.
Reimagining “Reasonableness” Under Section 330(A) In A World Of Technology, Data, And Artificial Intelligence, Nancy B. Rapoport, Joseph R. Tiano Jr.
Scholarly Works
Transformations in the legal industry’s supply chain caused by legal technology and innovative service delivery models have triggered the need for courts to reimagine how to assess the reasonableness of legal fees under 11 U.S.C. § 330. In nearly every other industry, when there are changes or fluctuations in supply chain costs, it is typical for the market price paid by end-users or consumers to fluctuate as well. Market forces organically dictate the reasonableness of the market prices in light of current production cost and demand. In contrast, the legal industry hasn’t kept up with a unified, market-driven supply cost …
Billing Judgment, Nancy B. Rapoport, Joseph R. Tiano Jr.
Billing Judgment, Nancy B. Rapoport, Joseph R. Tiano Jr.
Scholarly Works
In most situations, when a lawyer sends a bill to a client, the client pays the fees. When the client believes that a fee or expense is unreasonable, the client will ask for reductions. Conscientious lawyers review a bill before sending it to the client, exercising judgment in terms of what fees and expenses are reasonable. But in bankruptcy cases, the estate pays the court-appointed professionals' fees and expenses out of unsecured funds or from a cash collateral carve-out. Thus, the responsibility for scrutinizing the fees and expenses falls not to a particular client, but to the court, per 11 …
Telling The Story On Your Timesheets: A Fee Examiner's Tips For Creditors' Lawyers And Bankruptcy Estate Professionals, Nancy B. Rapoport
Telling The Story On Your Timesheets: A Fee Examiner's Tips For Creditors' Lawyers And Bankruptcy Estate Professionals, Nancy B. Rapoport
Scholarly Works
This essay discusses how much of a lawyer’s embedded assumptions and cognitive errors can come across in something as simple as a time entry on a bill. So much can be revealed about how a lawyer views himself or herself in society and about the lawyer’s relationship with the client that it’s worth examining what we can find when we look at legal bills.
Using General Counsel To Set The Tone For Work In Large Chapter 11 Cases, Nancy B. Rapoport
Using General Counsel To Set The Tone For Work In Large Chapter 11 Cases, Nancy B. Rapoport
Scholarly Works
This Essay suggests that one way for the general counsel to help bankruptcy professionals make better staffing and budget decisions is to communicate her values more clearly to those professionals at the beginning of the engagement. In her role as the chief legal officer, the general counsel needs to let the bankruptcy professionals in on her thought processes. How does she watch over her own attorneys' decisions in other types of cases? What expenses does she consider reasonable? If she takes an active role in monitoring her bankruptcy professionals' work, her values (assuming that they're good values) will contribute to …
Client-Focused Management Of Expectations For Legal Fees In Large Chapter 11 Cases, Nancy B. Rapoport
Client-Focused Management Of Expectations For Legal Fees In Large Chapter 11 Cases, Nancy B. Rapoport
Scholarly Works
Large chapter 11 cases can have fees that run into the hundreds of millions of dollars. That's one of the reasons that, in 2013, the Executive Office of the United States Trustee promulgated additional guidelines that affect legal fees in large chapter 11 cases. Bankruptcy courts have been appointing fee examiners and fee committees in large cases to aid the courts in their duty to ensure that the fees and expenses of estate-paid professionals are reasonable. I've been one of those people charged with helping bankruptcy courts review fees. As such, I've seen first-hand what happens when the professionals involved …
Sfr Inv.’S Pool 1, Llc V. U.S. Bank Nat’L Ass’N, 135 Nev. Adv. Op. 45 (Sept. 26, 2019), Brittni Tanenbaum
Sfr Inv.’S Pool 1, Llc V. U.S. Bank Nat’L Ass’N, 135 Nev. Adv. Op. 45 (Sept. 26, 2019), Brittni Tanenbaum
Nevada Supreme Court Summaries
When a court grants retroactive annulment for an automatic bankruptcy stay on a property, a sale of the property during the stay will not be set aside, unless it can be shown that fraud, oppression, or unfairness occurred during the sales process.
Ln Mgmt. Llc Series 5105 Portraits Place V. Green Tree Loan Servicing Llc, 133 Nev. Adv. Op. 55 (Aug. 03, 2017), Wesley Lemay Jr.
Ln Mgmt. Llc Series 5105 Portraits Place V. Green Tree Loan Servicing Llc, 133 Nev. Adv. Op. 55 (Aug. 03, 2017), Wesley Lemay Jr.
Nevada Supreme Court Summaries
If a homeowner that owns property in Nevada but declares bankruptcy in Texas and fails to list the Home Owners Association (HOA) as a creditor, the HOA cannot violate the automatic stay imposed by the bankruptcy and sell the property. If the property is sold in violation of the automatic stay, the sale is invalid. Under Ninth Circuit law, the sale is void ab initio while the Fifth Circuit holds that these types of sales are voidable, but can be approved by the bankruptcy court.
K&P Homes V. Christiana Trust, 133 Nev. Adv. Op. 51 (July 27, 2017), Yolanda Carapia
K&P Homes V. Christiana Trust, 133 Nev. Adv. Op. 51 (July 27, 2017), Yolanda Carapia
Nevada Supreme Court Summaries
The Court determined that the SFR Investments Pool 1, LLC v. U.S. Bank, N.A. decision, extinguishing first security interests, applies retroactively to all foreclosures occurring prior to the date of the decision and since NRS 116.3116’s inception.
Kaplan V. Dutra, 132 Nev. Adv. Op. No. 80 (Dec. 1, 2016) (En Banc), Hayley Cummings
Kaplan V. Dutra, 132 Nev. Adv. Op. No. 80 (Dec. 1, 2016) (En Banc), Hayley Cummings
Nevada Supreme Court Summaries
The Court, sitting en banc, reviewed a certified question from the United States Bankruptcy Court, determining that under NRS 21.010(1)(u) a debtor is entitled to a personal injury exemption of $16,150 for each personal injury claim.
Tower Homes V. Heaton, Nev. Adv. Op. 62, (Aug. 12, 2016), Sydney Campau
Tower Homes V. Heaton, Nev. Adv. Op. 62, (Aug. 12, 2016), Sydney Campau
Nevada Supreme Court Summaries
The Nevada Supreme Court determined that granting creditors control over a debtor’s legal malpractice claim and any proceeds resulting from the action constituted an improper assignment of a legal malpractice claim that was contrary to public policy.
Becker V. Becker, 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 85 (Oct. 29, 2015), Paul George
Becker V. Becker, 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 85 (Oct. 29, 2015), Paul George
Nevada Supreme Court Summaries
In response to a certified question by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada, the Court concluded that under NRS 21.090(1)(bb) a debtor can exempt his stock in the corporations described in NRS 78.746(2), but his economic interest in that stock is still subject to the charging order remedy in NRS 78.746(1).
In Re Montierth, 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 55, Walter Fick
In Re Montierth, 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 55, Walter Fick
Nevada Supreme Court Summaries
The Court held that the separation of a promissory note, held by a principal, and the deed of trust, held by an agent of the principal, does not render either instrument “void,” or require the reunification of the note and the deed of trust in order to foreclose. The Court further held that, under Nevada law and in the case of a contractual principal-agent relationship, the recordation of an assignment of a deed of trust is a “ministerial act.”
The Case For Value Billing In Chapter 11, Nancy B. Rapoport
The Case For Value Billing In Chapter 11, Nancy B. Rapoport
Scholarly Works
This article explores the forces contributing to very high professional fees in large Chapter 11 cases and suggests that lawyers might want to consider valuing their services in ways other than the traditional billable hour approach.
Through Gritted Teeth And Clenched Jaw: Court-Initiated Sanctions In Bankruptcy Opinions, Nancy B. Rapoport
Through Gritted Teeth And Clenched Jaw: Court-Initiated Sanctions In Bankruptcy Opinions, Nancy B. Rapoport
Scholarly Works
This article discusses what types of behavior can trigger a bankruptcy court's initiation of sanctions against an attorney.
Rethinking Professional Fees In Chapter 11 Cases, Nancy B. Rapoport
Rethinking Professional Fees In Chapter 11 Cases, Nancy B. Rapoport
Scholarly Works
This article discusses the many ways in which professional fees can spiral out of control in chapter 11 bankruptcy cases and evaluates the possible ways to monitor and control those fees.
(Almost) Everything We Learned About Pleasing Bankruptcy Judges, We Learned In Kindergarten, Nancy B. Rapoport, Roland Bernier Iii
(Almost) Everything We Learned About Pleasing Bankruptcy Judges, We Learned In Kindergarten, Nancy B. Rapoport, Roland Bernier Iii
Scholarly Works
In this essay, we demonstrate that most ethics violations (at least the ones that irritate bankruptcy judges) are also violations of simple rules of behavior that people should have learned in kindergarten.
Bankruptcy Pro Bono Representation Of Consumers: The Seven Deadly Sins, Nancy B. Rapoport, Roland Bernier Iii
Bankruptcy Pro Bono Representation Of Consumers: The Seven Deadly Sins, Nancy B. Rapoport, Roland Bernier Iii
Scholarly Works
This article attempts to walk the reader through the morass left by BAPCPA, using the seven deadly sins as its motif.
Enron And The New Disinterestedness - The Foxes Are Guarding The Henhouse, Nancy B. Rapoport
Enron And The New Disinterestedness - The Foxes Are Guarding The Henhouse, Nancy B. Rapoport
Scholarly Works
Discussion of the 2005 amendments to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code as those changes relate to conflicts of interest of investment bankers.
Recent Developments In Bankruptcy Law, Nancy B. Rapoport
Recent Developments In Bankruptcy Law, Nancy B. Rapoport
Scholarly Works
Discussion of 2004 cases regarding bankruptcy law.
"Retail Choice" Is Coming: Have You Hugged Your Utilities Lawyer Today? (Part I), Nancy B. Rapoport, Jeffrey D. Van Niel
"Retail Choice" Is Coming: Have You Hugged Your Utilities Lawyer Today? (Part I), Nancy B. Rapoport, Jeffrey D. Van Niel
Scholarly Works
This part of the article provides a primer on the history of utilities regulation. (Part II provides a discussion on the intersection of utilities law and bankruptcy law, pre-BAPCPA.)
Multidisciplinary Practice After In Re Enron: Should The Debate On Mdp Change At All?, Nancy B. Rapoport
Multidisciplinary Practice After In Re Enron: Should The Debate On Mdp Change At All?, Nancy B. Rapoport
Scholarly Works
No abstract provided.
"Retail Choice" Is Coming: Have You Hugged Your Utilities Lawyer Today? (Part Ii), Nancy B. Rapoport, Jeffrey D. Van Niel
"Retail Choice" Is Coming: Have You Hugged Your Utilities Lawyer Today? (Part Ii), Nancy B. Rapoport, Jeffrey D. Van Niel
Scholarly Works
This part of the article provides a discussion on the intersection of utilities law and bankruptcy law, pre-BAPCPA. (Part I provides a primer on the history of utilities regulation.)
Moral Bankruptcy: Modeling Appropriate Attorney Behavior In Bankruptcy Cases, Nancy B. Rapoport
Moral Bankruptcy: Modeling Appropriate Attorney Behavior In Bankruptcy Cases, Nancy B. Rapoport
Scholarly Works
This essay discusses how important it is for lawyers, especially senior lawyers, to model appropriate behavior so that the newest lawyers learn how best to behave professionally.
Embracing Descent: The Bankruptcy Of A Business Paradigm For Conceptualizing And Regulating The Legal Profession, Jeffrey W. Stempel
Embracing Descent: The Bankruptcy Of A Business Paradigm For Conceptualizing And Regulating The Legal Profession, Jeffrey W. Stempel
Scholarly Works
Lawyers are said to travel in packs, or at least pairs, and in the popular parlance are often compared to hoards of locusts, herds of cattle, or unruly mobs. However, at least for purposes of assessing concerns with professionalism currently surrounding the bar and the public, whether attorneys are more or less social than other human animals does not matter. My point is simply that lawyers are social beings; like other human beings in social and occupational groups, lawyers behave largely in accordance with group norms, in much the same way peer pressure led Julian English toward juvenile delinquency in …
Our House, Our Rules: The Need For A Uniform Code Of Bankruptcy Ethics, Nancy B. Rapoport
Our House, Our Rules: The Need For A Uniform Code Of Bankruptcy Ethics, Nancy B. Rapoport
Scholarly Works
This article argues that there should be a separate code of professional responsibility for lawyers in bankruptcy cases.
The Need For New Bankruptcy Ethics Rules: How Can "One Size Fits All" Fit Anybody?, Nancy B. Rapoport
The Need For New Bankruptcy Ethics Rules: How Can "One Size Fits All" Fit Anybody?, Nancy B. Rapoport
Scholarly Works
Short discussion why dormant, temporary, actual conflicts (DTACs) in bankruptcy cases can't be handled appropriately under state ethics rules.
Turning The Microscope On Ourselves: Self-Assessment By Bankruptcy Lawyers Of Potential Conflicts Of Interest In Columbus, Ohio, Nancy B. Rapoport
Turning The Microscope On Ourselves: Self-Assessment By Bankruptcy Lawyers Of Potential Conflicts Of Interest In Columbus, Ohio, Nancy B. Rapoport
Scholarly Works
This article attempts to devise an appropriate instrument to determine whether bankruptcy lawyers in Columbus, Ohio are able to identify potential conflicts of interest in bankruptcy cases. Although the article is unable to develop an appropriate instrument, it does discuss why the survey method is not appropriate for this type of study.
Avoiding Judicial Wrath: The Ten Commandments For Bankruptcy Practitioners, Nancy B. Rapoport
Avoiding Judicial Wrath: The Ten Commandments For Bankruptcy Practitioners, Nancy B. Rapoport
Scholarly Works
This article describes the top ten duties for bankruptcy lawyers. 1. Know the purpose(s) of the Bankruptcy Code. 2. Know the facts and the law. 3. Spend time crafting your arguments. 4. Don't lie (about conflicts of interest or about controlling law). 5. Be respectful (of other lawyers, of the system, and of other participants in the system). 6. Don't indulge your client's sleazy instincts. 7. Don't escalate a conflict unnecessarily. 8. Honor your calendar. 9. Keep your client informed. 10. Don't whine.
Seeing The Forest And The Trees: The Proper Role Of The Bankruptcy Attorney, Nancy B. Rapoport
Seeing The Forest And The Trees: The Proper Role Of The Bankruptcy Attorney, Nancy B. Rapoport
Scholarly Works
This article discusses the tension between the lawyer's duty to her client and her duty to the legal system as an officer of the court. It concludes that, in a situation in which those two duties conflict, the lawyer's duty to the system as a whole should trump the duty to the client.
Turning And Turning In The Widening Gyre: The Problem Of Potential Conflicts Of Interest In Bankruptcy, Nancy B. Rapoport
Turning And Turning In The Widening Gyre: The Problem Of Potential Conflicts Of Interest In Bankruptcy, Nancy B. Rapoport
Scholarly Works
This article is the first in a series of articles discussing the problem of conflicts of interest in bankruptcy cases. It argues that the traditional means for discovering and handling conflicts of interest - based on state-law ethics rules - fundamentally misconceives the problem in a bankruptcy context. State law ethics rules presume that the parties are always in static positions; in bankruptcy law, alliances shift all the time. The article proposes a possible method of handling potential conflicts of interest in bankruptcy cases.