Creditors' Resource : Bankruptcy and Creditors Rights Advisor : Corporate Recovery Associates : Richard J. Feferman : Creditors Committee, Reclamation, Unsecured Creditors

    The president of a tire company called me to discuss what to do as a result of a customer going into Chapter 11. He asked what could he do that isn’t going to require him to come up with any cash, is not going to take much time, and has the potential to be very effective?

    I responded that participation on an official creditors committee might make the difference in a satisfactory resolution with the customer that filed chapter 11. While there are no guarantees as to the outcome of a case, often I have been able to use the power of a creditors committee to significantly enhance the treatment of unsecured creditors.

    An active creditors committee has a powerful voice in a Chapter 11 case and the ear of the court. Bankruptcy Judges want to hear from the creditors’ committee on the many issues in a Chapter 11 case. Federal law provides for a seat at the negotiating table for committees. A committee’s activities include oversight of the debtor, and scrutinizing debtor’s affairs, and evaluation of the fairness and feasibility of a debtor’s actions. The bottom line is a well-run pro-active committee can create value for unsecured creditors.

    An attractive aspect of official committees is that they are usually structured so that there is no direct charge to the members for the cost of professionals that advise committees. Thus a mechanism is in place to level the playing field for creditors (or sometimes shareholders) in the negotiations that take place in formulating how a debtor will be restructured or liquidated.

    And the absence of a committee can result in the creditors getting the short end of the stick! Don’t assume that someone else is going to be looking out for creditors; it is the responsibility of the creditors to lookout for themselves – make use of this powerful tool – an Official Creditors Committee.

    I’ll write more on this soon, but for now see that a committee gets formed. Call me if you need help.
 

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As I reported earlier 2008 is turning out to be a difficult year for retailers. What do you do when one of your Tenants files Chapter 11?


Here are three important issues:

I.    Ensure Your Rights To Payment
II.   Will The Lease Be Assumed Or Rejected?
III.  How To Improve Your Odds At Minimal Cost



I.    Ensure Your Rights To Payment. First things first, consult counsel and determine if there is any reason you do not want to file a Proof of Claim.  Then immediately review the tenant's (“Debtor’s”) account and lease files with your bankruptcy counsel. There are three classifications of claims typically filed by landlords:


1) Pre-Petition Claim. Everything the Debtor owes you up to the filing of the Bankruptcy Petition.



2) Ordinary Course Administrative Claim. Bankruptcy Code Section 365 (d)(3) requires the timely payment of your rent. Is the Debtor using your property to the benefit of the Bankruptcy Estate? Yes, and you are to be paid rent on time from the date the case was filed. If the Debtor is failing in its obligation to keep current on its Post-Petition rent then consider filing a Motion For Stay Relief as a precursor to an eviction proceeding.


3) Lease Rejection Claim. If the Debtor decides to terminate your lease you will be entitled to make a claim for your “Rejection” damages.


II.    Will The Lease Be Assumed Or Rejected? The Tenant will have 120 days to decide to Reject or Assume the lease. This may be extended, for cause (its usually granted), another 90 days. If the lease is assumed all arrearages must be paid immediately or adequate assurance of performance must be provided.


III.    Improve Your Odds At Minimal Cost. One of the best methods for improving your treatment in a Chapter 11 case without coming out of pocket with cash is get appointed to the Creditors' Committee. This is not a big time commitment and you can get lots of bang for the buck. Appoint an administrative staff member to represent your company on the Committee. The Committee will hire professionals (at the expense of the Bankruptcy Estate). Committee members have conference calls as needed. Good professionals will keep the Committee informed and handle the matters on a day-to-day basis. An effective Creditors Committee often will enhance the treatment of unsecured creditors.


Be proactive. Remember get counsel early and ask questions right away. Inquire about the formation of a Creditors Committee.

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