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Merit Management Group, LP v. FTI Consulting, Inc.

Docket No.16-784
Op. Below7th Cir.
ArgumentNov 6, 2017
Vote9-0
AuthorSonia Sotomayor
OpinionFeb 27, 2018
TermOctober Term 2017
SCOTUS PageOpinion

Holding

The Bankruptcy Code allows trustees to set aside and recover certain transfers for the benefit of the bankruptcy estate, including certain fraudulent transfers "of an interest of the debtor in property"; the Bankruptcy Code also sets out a number of limits on the exercise of these avoiding powers, including the Section 546(e) safe harbor, which, inter alia, provides that a "trustee may not avoid a transfer that is a margin payment (...) made by or to (or for the benefit of) a 'financial institution' .. or that is a transfer made by or to (or for the benefit of) a 'financial institution' in connection with a securities contract." In the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filed by Valley View Downs and its parent company, the only relevant transfer for purposes of the Section 546(e) safe harbor is the transfer that the trustee, FTI Consulting Inc., seeks to avoid, i.e., the transfer from Valley View to Merit Management Group for the sale of Bedford Downs Management's stock.

Judgment

Affirmed and remanded, 9-0, in an opinion by Sonia Sotomayor on Feb 27, 2018.

Proceedings & orders timeline

Nov 14, 2016
Application (16A492) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from November 28, 2016 to December 19, 2016, submitted to Justice Kagan.
Nov 17, 2016
Application (16A492) granted by Justice Kagan extending the time to file until December 19, 2016.
Dec 16, 2016
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due January 19, 2017)Jan 19, 2017
Brief of respondent FTI Consulting, Inc. in opposition filed.Feb 3, 2017
Reply of petitioner Merit Management Group, LP filed.
Feb 8, 2017
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of February 24, 2017.
Feb 22, 2017
Rescheduled.
Feb 27, 2017
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of March 3, 2017.
Feb 27, 2017
Rescheduled.
Mar 13, 2017
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of March 17, 2017.
Mar 13, 2017
Rescheduled.
Mar 20, 2017
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of March 24, 2017.
Mar 20, 2017
Rescheduled.
Mar 27, 2017
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of March 31, 2017.
Mar 28, 2017
Rescheduled.
Apr 10, 2017
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of April 13, 2017.
Apr 17, 2017
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of April 21, 2017.
Apr 24, 2017
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of April 28, 2017.
May 1, 2017
Petition GRANTED.
Jun 5, 2017
The time to file the joint appendix and petitioner's brief on the merits is extended to and including July 13, 2017.
Jun 5, 2017
The time to file respondent's brief on the merits is extended to and including September 11, 2017.
Jun 22, 2017
Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs in support of either party or of neither party from counsel for the petitioner.
Jun 28, 2017
Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs in support of either party or of neither party received from counsel for the respondent.
Jul 13, 2017
Joint appendix filed. (Statement of costs filed)
Jul 13, 2017
Brief of petitioner Merit Management Group, LP filed.Jul 18, 2017
Brief amicus curiae of Opportunity Partners, L.P. filed.Jul 20, 2017
Brief amici curiae of Various Former Tribune and Lyondell Shareholders filed.
Aug 31, 2017
SET FOR ARGUMENT on Monday, November 6, 2017
Sep 7, 2017
CIRCULATED
Sep 11, 2017
Brief of respondent FTI Consulting, Inc. filed. (Distributed)Sep 18, 2017
Brief amici curiae of Tribune Company Retirees and Noteholders filed. (Distributed)Sep 18, 2017
Brief amicus curiae of National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees filed. (Distributed)Sep 18, 2017
Brief amici curiae of Bankruptcy Law Professors Ralph Brubaker, et al. filed. (Distributed)Oct 6, 2017
Reply of petitioner Merit Management Group, LP filed. (Distributed)
Nov 6, 2017
Argued. For petitioner: Brian C. Walsh, St. Louis, Mo. For respondent: Paul D. Clement, Washington, D. C.
Feb 27, 2018
Judgment is affirmed and case remanded. Sotomayor, J., delivered the opinion for a unanimous Court.
Apr 2, 2018
JUDGMENT ISSUED.

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