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Skating On Thin Ice: The Risks of Insuring Failing Businesses. Skating on Thin Ice: Risks of Insuring Failing Businesses. MODERATOR: Joe Kingma, Esq., Partner, Carlock Copeland Semler & Stair PANELISTS:
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Skating On Thin Ice: The Risksof Insuring Failing Businesses
Skating on Thin Ice: Risks of Insuring Failing Businesses MODERATOR: Joe Kingma, Esq., Partner, Carlock Copeland Semler & Stair PANELISTS: Kenneth Coffin, JD, Esq., Vice President, Professional Liability Claims, Liberty International Underwriters Kenneth N. Klee, Esq.,Partner, Klee, Tuchin, Bogdanoff & Stern, LLP; Professor, UCLA School of Law Ronald Klein, JD, CFE, Vice President, Claims Counsel, CAMICO Mutual Insurance Company Richard Levine, Esq., Chair, Bankruptcy & Insolvency Practice Group, Nelson Kinder Mosseau & Saturley PC
Overview • Prologue: Professional Liability in Bankruptcy or Cracks Appear in the Ice • Act I: Mediation or Treading Water in the Frozen Lake • Act II: Throwing You a Lifeline • Takeaway Points • Questions and Answers
Cast of Characters Ken Klee - Embattled Mediator and Introduction Rick Levine - Counsel for the Plaintiff Trustee Joe Kingma - Counsel for Defendant Accountant, Addemup Ron Klein - Vice President, Accounting Claims – Unlucky Insurance Ken Coffin - Vice President, Attorney Claims - Unlucky Insurance
Prologue Ken Klee
Professional Liability in Bankruptcy • Breach of Fiduciary Duty • Aiding and Abetting Breach of Duty • Deepening Insolvency • Malpractice
Deepening Insolvency • Cause of Action • Measure of Damages • A Nullity • Choice of Law • Who Has Standing to Assert • In Pari Delicto Defense
In Pari Delicto Defense • Equitable Defense Based on Unclean Hands • Applies Unless an Exception Negates it • Adverse interest exception • Sole actor exception to exception • Innocent decision-maker exception • Control person exception • Assignment of creditor actions to trustee
Act I Treading Water in the Frozen Lake or Mediation of the Trustee’s Claims Against Accountants and Lawyers
Scene 1 Rick Levine, Counsel for the Plaintiff Trustee, Gives His Opening Statement at Mediation
Scene 2 Joe Kingma, Counsel for the Accounting Defendant Addemup, Gives his Opening Statement
Scene 3 Ron Klein (Accountants) and Ken Coffin (Attorneys) of Unlucky Insurance Meet Privately
Scene 4 Mediator Ken Klee, Meets with Rick Levine, Counsel for the Plaintiff Trustee, in a Private Session
Scene 5 Mediator Ken Klee, Meets with Joe Kingma, Counsel for the Accounting Defendant Addemup
Scene 6 Mediator Ken Klee, Meets with Unlucky Insurance Representatives Ron Klein and Ken Coffin and Makes One Last Effort to Open Their Wallets
Act II Throwing You A Lifeline
Takeaway Points From Ken Klee
Takeaway Points From Rick Levine
Takeaway Points From Ron Klein
Takeaway Points From Ken Coffin
Takeaway Points From Joe Kingma
Joe’s Takeaway Points I Underwriters - Watch for Failing Business Exposures Professionals Whose Client Base Includes: A.Homebuilders and Developers B. Auto Industry Suppliers C. Retailers • Lenders to A-C Take Deepening Insolvency Claims Seriously SOL Order for Relief Plus 2 Years (11USC108)
Joe’s Takeaway Points II • Check Local Rule on Withdrawing Reference Under 28 USC§157(d) • Proof of Claim Keeps you in BK Court • Watch Out for 2004 Examinations • Trustees, Chief Restructuring Officers, and Receivers • Check Pacer for : • Special Litigation Counsel • Value of Claim • Assets to Prosecute
Many Thanks to • Joe Kingma, Esq. • Kenneth Coffin, JD, Esq. • Kenneth N. Klee, Esq. • Ronald Klein, JD, CFE • Richard Levine, Esq.