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Now that the “easy-credit” party has ended, there will likely be extraordinary
opportunities for entrepreneurs to buy distressed (i.e., financially-troubled) businesses at
bargain prices. Buying a distressed business, however, is tricky stuff and raises a host of
significant risks and potential problems that are not typically found in the acquisition of a
healthy, solvent business. Below are ten tips for entrepreneurs who are looking to get
into the distressed M&A game, which relate to two different contexts: (i) prior to (or
absent) a distressed target’s Chapter 11 filing -- i.e., the non-bankruptcy context; and (ii)
after a distressed target’s Chapter 11 filing -- i.e., the bankruptcy context. As discussed
below, it is generally advisable to purchase a distressed business after the target’s Chapter
11 filing pursuant to Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code (a “Section 363 Sale”) due to
its speed, benefits and flexibility.
Non-Bankruptcy Context
Bankruptcy Context
6. A Section 363 Sale is Usually the Way to Go. The purchase of assets of a
Chapter 11 debtor may be consummated either as a Section 363 Sale or as part of the
debtor’s overall plan of reorganization. A Section 363 Sale is the more common method
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because it is faster and cheaper (i.e., it avoids the plan confirmation process - with its
complex disclosure and voting procedures) and therefore minimizes the risk of a decline
in enterprise value and/or a shortage of working capital. From the buyer’s perspective, a
Section 363 Sale is often more attractive than a non-bankruptcy acquisition for a number
of significant reasons, including: (i) in most cases, the bankruptcy court will approve the
sale of the assets “free and clear” of all liens and liabilities (other than those liabilities
that the buyer expressly agrees to assume and, arguably, certain “successor” liabilities
such as environmental and product liabilities claims); (ii) the approval of the bankruptcy
court should bar any subsequent fraudulent conveyance challenge (as discussed above);
(iii) the buyer will be able to cherry-pick assets and contracts (e.g., through the debtor’s
assumption/rejection rights discussed above) in ways not possible in the non-bankruptcy
context and assumed contracts will be “cleansed” of non-assignability or change-of-
control provisions (except for certain contracts such as personal-services contracts and
certain intellectual-property licenses); and (iv) State shareholder-approval laws and bulk-
transfer laws generally do not apply to a Section 363 Sale.
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by the sale) and they think a plan of reorganization would be more beneficial to them --
though a Section 363 Sale may generally be approved over their objection.
10. A “Pre-Pack” May Be a Good Alternative. Time is often the buyer’s biggest
(and least predictable) risk in connection with purchasing distressed assets in the
bankruptcy context. The debtor’s filing may, for example, trigger protracted negotiations
among the various constituencies, unexpected claims, litigation, etc. Accordingly,
“prepackaged” Chapter 11 plans (“Pre-Packs”) -- which may include a Section 363 Sale -
- are becoming more prevalent (particularly in light of the increased costs and the
difficulty of existing management to control the bankruptcy process under the
Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005, the new bankruptcy
law that went into effect in October 2005). Indeed, where a company has a sound
business model, but is overburdened by debt, a Pre-Pack may be particularly appealing to
avoid the risks of purchasing distressed assets in the non-bankruptcy context (discussed
above), coupled with the lower approval thresholds of Chapter 11.
Scott Edward Walker is a former big-firm New York corporate lawyer, with 15+
years of sophisticated corporate-transactional and securities-law experience. Mr.
Walker is the founder and CEO of Walker Corporate Law Group, LLC, a boutique
corporate law firm specializing in the representation of entrepreneurs and their
companies, with offices in Beverly Hills and Washington, D.C. You can learn more about
Mr. Walker’s practice at www.walkercorporatelaw.com, and he can be reached at
swalker@walkercorporatelaw.com. Please note that the foregoing article has been
provided by Mr. Walker solely for informational purposes and does not constitute (and
should not be construed as) legal advice in any respect. Mr. Walker expressly disclaims
all liability in respect of any actions taken or not taken based on any contents of the
article. Copyright © 2009 Scott Edward Walker. All Rights Reserved.
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