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The University of Texas at Austin School of Law
  2. Course Schedule

Bankruptcy

  • Semester: Fall 2016
  • Course ID: 442M
  • Credit Hours: 4
  • Unique: 28770

Course Information

  • Grading Method: Pass/Fail Not Allowed

Registration Information

  • Upperclass-only elective

Meeting Times

Day Time Location
MON, TUE, WED 9:10 - 10:17 am TNH 3.125

Evaluation Method

Type Date Time Location
Final exam December 7, 2016 1:30 pm A-Z in 3.129

Description

This course is for students who want to practice bankruptcy - and for those who simply want a fun, challenging course that covers a key legal system underlying the U.S. and global economies. It covers Title 11 of the U.S. Code, the Bankruptcy Code. The course includes both consumer and business bankruptcy and a modest introduction to state law collection issues. Students learn the basic concepts of "straight" bankruptcy liquidation (Chapter 7), in which a trustee is appointed to sell the debtor's assets and pay the proceeds to the creditors. For consumers, that topic includes the fresh start--the discharge of all pre-existing debt--and the identification of exempt assets. Students also study the rehabilitation provisions, under which the debtor attempts to pay all or some part of the pre- bankruptcy debt: Chapter 13 payout plans for consumers and Chapter 11 reorganization proceedings for businesses. Principal attention is given to the substance of the bankruptcy laws, including the "avoiding powers" (for example, preferences, fraudulent conveyances, and cancellation of executory contracts), treatment of secured creditors (including the automatic stay against repossession or foreclosure), and priorities in asset distribution. More than half of the course is devoted to business reorganizations in Chapter 11 [cases like United Airlines, Pacific Gas & Electric, and World Com (MCI)], including the legal requirements for confirmation of a plan of reorganization and "cramdown" of recalcitrant creditors. Questions of jurisdiction and procedure are introduced, but are not the major focus of the course. The course attempts to give balanced attention to the practice realities of negotiation and leverage within a complex of doctrinal rules and to the social and economic consequences of the bankruptcy system in both its consumer and commercial manifestations. Prerequisite/Corequisite: LAW 180D, 280D, 380D, or 480D (Secured Credit).

Textbooks ( * denotes required )

Bankruptcy and Article 9 Statutory Supplement *
Elizabeth Warren
Wolters Kluwer , edition: 2015
ISBN: 1454859261
The Law of Debtors and Creditors *
Elizabeth Warren, Jay Westbrook, Katherine Porter, John Pottow
Aspen / Wolters Kluwer , edition: 7th
ISBN: 9781454822387

Instructors

Headshot of Littwin, Angela K. Littwin, Angela K.
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Important Class Changes

Date Updated
10/27/2016 Exam information updated
Instructor(s) updated