Tennessee

Third-party releases remain a hot topic in bankruptcy proceedings. Learn what the laws in various circuits have to say about permissible third-party releases, whether bankruptcy courts are deemed to have subject-matter jurisdiction and statutory authority to approve third-party releases as part of confirmation orders approving plans of reorganization, and what standards are imposed by circuit courts to determine whether a third-party release should be approved.

This panel will address issues related to corporate governance in distressed situations and considerations regarding independent directors.

This panel will discuss case law related to subchapter V and § 523 nondischargeability, and how to navigate uncertainties in such cases.

On direct appeal, the Third Circuit on Jan. 30 reversed the bankruptcy court and directed the dismissal of the petition that had been filed by LTL Management LLC, the subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson created to file in chapter 11 to deal with talc and asbestos claims arising from the sale of Johnson’s Baby Powder. Although Circuit Judge Thomas Ambro pointedly declined to rule on whether LTL improperly used chapter 11 as a “litigation tactic,” what are the legal steps J&J can take to settle roughly 40,000 cancer lawsuits concerning its talc-based products?

Technology can be looked at as a business-enabler. Attorneys who want to move from manual or paper processes to an automated, streamlined, more efficient or paperless practice have a variety of options available. The choices are seemingly endless, but which options are the right fit for your practice? This panel will discuss some of the productivity suites, PDF-production software, case-management systems and other programs that are available to modernize consumer practice.