A federal district judge recently affirmed a bankruptcy judge’s ruling that a non-creditor was entitled to actual notice of an injunction that would bar the non-creditor from suing the debtors’ insurance carriers. In re Boy...more
Third-party releases may no longer provide a shield to owners and directors of a reorganized company. Still, a New York bankruptcy court recently paved the way for another constructive solution for the individual owner of a...more
On March 18, 2025, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit held in In re Highland Capital Mgmt., L.P., that a plan’s gatekeeping and injunction provisions could not extend to claims against most non-debtors...more
In Harrington v. Purdue Pharma L.P., the Supreme Court held that the Bankruptcy Code does not authorize a bankruptcy court to grant a release and injunction that extinguishes direct claims against nondebtor third parties...more
Chapter 11 plans contain various releases – some in favor of the debtor and some in favor of certain nondebtor third parties. While creditors are bound by a Chapter 11 discharge, they have options for dealing with a plan's...more
The most notable decision in the bankruptcy world in 2024 was the Supreme Court’s decision in Purdue Pharma. Harrington v. Purdue Pharma, L.P., 144 S. Ct. 2071 (2024). At the heart of the fight in Purdue Pharma were...more
Bankruptcy debtors have special rights in contracts or leases where both parties have outstanding obligations, known in legal terms as “executory contracts” or “unexpired leases”. If you are doing business with a company that...more
The legal wrangling over Purdue Pharma, L.P.’s bankruptcy plan has been splashed over the news. In Purdue Pharma’s case, the reorganization plan called for Purdue Pharma to become a non-profit organization, while the Sackler...more
For decades, bankruptcy courts have extended the automatic stay through preliminary injunctions halting litigation against a debtor’s nondebtor codefendants. Such relief was relatively routine when the codefendants were the...more
In Harrington v. Purdue Pharma L.P., 144 S. Ct. 2071 (2024) (“Purdue”), the Supreme Court held that the Bankruptcy Code does not authorize nonconsensual releases of nondebtors as part of a chapter 11 plan. The Court narrowly...more
The Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Harrington v. Purdue Pharma L.P. – holding that the Bankruptcy Code does not authorize the release of third-party claims against non-debtors in a reorganization plan without the...more
Le 27 juin 2024, la Cour suprême des États-Unis a publié une décision très attendue qu’elle a rendue dans l’affaire William K. Harrington, United States Trustee, Region 2, Petitioner v. Purdue Pharma L.P. et al. (l’« affaire...more
On June 27, 2024, the Supreme Court of the United States released its highly anticipated decision in William K. Harrington, United States Trustee, Region 2, Petitioner v. Purdue Pharma L.P. et al. (Purdue). At issue was...more
On June 27, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked a $6 billion bankruptcy settlement in Harrington v. Purdue Pharma L. P., No. 23-124, 2024 WL 3187799, at *11 (U.S. June 27, 2024). The Court found that the Bankruptcy Code does...more
On June 27, 2024, the United States Supreme Court decided the Purdue Pharma appeal. In a five-to-four decision, the Supreme Court held that a bankruptcy court may not extend to non-debtors the benefits of a Chapter 11...more
In Harrington v. Purdue Pharma L.P. et al., the U.S. Supreme Court held that nonconsensual releases of third-party claims against nondebtors are not authorized under the Bankruptcy Code, resolving a longstanding circuit...more
On June 27, 2024, in one of its most high-profile bankruptcy decisions, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Harrington v. Purdue Pharma L.P., et al., No. 23-124, holding that the U.S. Bankruptcy Code does not authorize releases...more
Last week, in a 5-to-4 decision in the case of Harrington, United States Trustee, Region 2 v. Purdue Pharma L.P, et al., the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the ability of bankruptcy courts to order non-consensual third-party...more
In a landmark decision that will significantly impact future reorganization plans, the Supreme Court categorically held in Harrington v. Purdue Pharma L.P., that bankruptcy courts lack the authority to approve nonconsensual...more
On June 27, 2024, the United States Supreme Court (the “Supreme Court” or “Court”) rendered a 5-4 opinion in Harrington v. Purdue Pharma, L.P. that “the [B]ankruptcy [C]ode does not authorize a release and injunction that, as...more
In a landmark 5-4 decision in Harrington v. Purdue Pharma that will significantly reshape corporate bankruptcy practice, the U.S. Supreme Court resolved a circuit split regarding the authority of a bankruptcy court to approve...more
Supreme Court Blocks Purdue Pharma Opioid Settlement, Threatening Billions Of Dollars For Victims | NBC News - On Thursday, the Supreme Court rejected the nonconsensual non-debtor releases in the Purdue Pharma plan,...more
On June 27, 2024, the United States Supreme Court issued its long-awaited opinion in Harrington v. Purdue Pharma L.P., holding that the Bankruptcy Code does not permit nonconsensual releases of nondebtors. As a...more
As many bankruptcy practitioners are aware, there is a circuit court split with respect to the allowability of non-consensual third-party releases. Notably, in the Purdue Pharma case, the United States Court of Appeals for...more
Bishop: Diocese of Sacramento to seek bankruptcy protection after over 250 lawsuits claim sexual abuse| CBS News Sacramento - After receiving more than 250 lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by clergy and other staff, the...more