Camofi Master LDC v. Spradlin

(E.D. Ky. Oct. 6, 2017)

The district court affirms the bankruptcy court’s order granting the trustee’s motion to dismiss the complaint. The trustee has the exclusive right to pursue claims asserted in the complaint. The appellant’s arguments that the lawsuits were distinct are rejected. If the appellant and trustee could both pursue the claims there would be a significant chance of a double recovery. Opinion below.

Judge: Wilhoit

Attorneys for Appellants: Taft, Stettinius & Hollister, LLP, Casey M. Cantrell-Swartz, W. Timothy Miller; Akin Gump Strauss Huaer & Feld LLP, Douglas A. Rapp sport, Robert J. Boller

Attorneys for Appellees: Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP, Daniel J. Donnellon; Foley & Lardner, LLP, David B. Goroff, Geoffrey S. Goodman; Barber Law PLLC, T. Kent Barber; Luskin, Stern & Eisner LLP, Michael Luskin; Fowler Bell PLLC, Taft A. McKinstry

2017-10-06 – in re camofi master and camhzn master

Author: Matt Lindblom

Stein v. Stubbs (In re Stubbs)

(6th Cir. B.A.P. Mar. 9, 2017)

The Sixth Circuit B.A.P. vacates the bankruptcy court’s orders denying the trustee’s motion for default judgment in the action to revoke the debtor’s discharge. The debtor failed to comply with the court’s order to provide the trustee a copy of her tax return when filed. The appellate court finds the bankruptcy court abused its discretion in denying the trustee’s motion for default judgment where the debtor was properly served with the action and there was no evidence the debtor was not aware of the bankruptcy court’s clear order on the issue. Opinion below.

Judge: Humphrey

Trustee: Sheldon Stein

2017-03-09 – in re stubbs

Author: Matt Lindblom

Harris v. Viegelahn

(U.S. Sup. Ct. May 18, 2015)

The Supreme Court holds that post-petition debtor wages held by the Chapter 13 trustee after the debtor converts to Chapter 7 should be returned to the debtor rather than distributed to creditors in accordance with the Chapter 13 plan. There was a split on this issue between the Fifth and Third Circuits, with the Fifth Circuit holding the funds were properly distributed to creditors under the plan following conversion. So long as the debtor does not convert to Chapter 7 in bad faith, such funds should be returned to the debtor. Opinion below.

2015-05-18 – harris v viegelahn

Author: Matt Lindblom