Publications

The use of M&A in bankruptcy has increased dramatically in recent years, leading to concerns that the Chapter 11 process has shifted toward excessive liquidation of viable firms. In this paper, we argue that the rise of M&A has blurred traditional... View Details

March 2008
Supplement

Adelphia Communications Corp.'s Bankruptcy (CW)

By: Stuart C. Gilson and Belen Villalonga

Keywords: Insolvency and Bankruptcy; Communication; Communications Industry

26 Jan 2012
News

The Human Cost of Kodak's Bankruptcy

February 2022 (Revised May 2022)
Case

Jaypee Infratech and the Indian Bankruptcy Code

By: Kristin Mugford, William Vrattos and Radhika Kak

In 2016, India passed a new bankruptcy law (IBC) to counter a brewing bank crisis and increased corporate distress. Homebuilder Jaypee Infratech, one of India largest distressed companies (the “dirty dozen”) began restructuring under the IBC in 2017. Two years later,... View Details

2024
Working Paper

The Real Effects of Bankruptcy Forum Shopping

By: Samuel Antill and Aymeric Bellon

Many non-Delaware firms strategically file for bankruptcy in Delaware. Should this "forum shopping" be allowed? This question has motivated six congressional bill proposals over decades of policy debate. Using a novel natural experiment and Census-Bureau microdata, we... View Details

Keywords: Insolvency and Bankruptcy; Government Legislation; Policy; Geographic Location; Delaware

SSRN

December 2015
Supplement

Bankruptcy in the City of Detroit

By: Stuart C. Gilson and Kristin Mugford

March 2009 (Revised May 2009)
Teaching Note

Adelphia Communications Corp.'s Bankruptcy (TN)

By: Stuart C. Gilson and Belen Villalonga

Teaching Note for [208071]. View Details

Keywords: Insolvency and Bankruptcy; Communications Industry

December 2023 (Revised April 2024)
Case

Yellow Corporation: On the Verge of Bankruptcy

By: Benjamin C. Esty and Edward A. Meyer

Yellow Corporation, one of the country’s oldest and largest less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers, was nearing its 100th anniversary in 2024. Whether it would reach that milestone, however, was uncertain as the company was attempting to restructure its operations to... View Details

Keywords: Labor Unions; Labor and Management Relations; Capital Structure; Restructuring; Financial Management; Ethics; Borrowing and Debt; Insolvency and Bankruptcy; Financial Strategy; Truck Transportation; Change Management; Transportation Industry; Shipping Industry; United States

20 Jul 2021
Research & Ideas

Bankruptcy Spells Death for Too Many Businesses

Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection is supposed to allow companies to shed debt and get a fresh start. Ideally, creditors recover most of what they’re owed as the restructured firm begins turning a profit. Yet, more companies are liquidated than rebuilt, giving up the... View Details

Keywords: by Rachel Layne

02 Apr 2009
News

Bankruptcy Is Vital to Capitalism

March 2016 (Revised October 2023)
Case

Central European Distribution Corporation: Hostile Takeover, Bankruptcy Makeover

By: Stuart C. Gilson and Sarah L. Abbott

In early 2013, Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC), a large publicly traded producer and distributer of vodka and spirits in Eastern and Central Europe, has suffered significant declines in its financial performance, is at risk of defaulting on its debt,... View Details

Keywords: Hostile Takeover; Accounting Restatement; Activist Shareholder; Restructuring; Mergers and Acquisitions; Financial Statements; Corporate Governance; Investment Activism; Distribution Industry; Food and Beverage Industry; United States; Russia; Europe

August 2020 (Revised December 2020)
Case

Latam Airlines and COVID-19: Seeking Bankruptcy Protection in the United States

By: Laura Alfaro, Mauricio Larrain, Carlos Vilches and Sarah Jeong

On May 26, 2020, Latam Airlines became the largest airline in the world to be driven to bankruptcy by COVID-19. With a complex debt structure and international investor composition, the company decided to file for bankruptcy protection in the United States, which... View Details

Keywords: Airlines; Pandemic; Coronavirus Pandemic; Health Pandemics; Air Transportation; Insolvency and Bankruptcy; Capital Markets; Strategy; Latin America; Chile; United States

April 2009
Teaching Note

UAL, 2004: Pulling Out of Bankruptcy (TN)

By: Daniel Baird Bergstresser, Kenneth A. Froot and Darren Robert Smart

Teaching Note for [205090]. View Details

Keywords: Air Transportation Industry

January 1995 (Revised March 1997)
Case

A Bankruptcy Problem from the Talmud

Describes a problem of bankruptcy, following the treatment in the 2,000-year-old Babylonian Talmud. A person dies, leaving a number of debts that total more than the size of the estate. The question is: How should the estate be divided among the creditors? The case... View Details

Keywords: Analysis; Insolvency and Bankruptcy; Economics

January 2023
Teaching Note

Bankruptcy in the City of Detroit

By: Kristin Mugford and Annelena Lobb

Teaching Note for HBS Case No. 215-070. View Details

Keywords: Finance; Restructuring

October 1991 (Revised January 1992)
Background Note

Note on Bankruptcy in the United States

By: Timothy A. Luehrman

An introduction to, and summary of the laws, rules, and procedures established in the United States for settling the claims of creditors on a bankrupt company. Covers both Chapter 7 liquidations and Chapter 11 reorganizations. View Details

Keywords: Insolvency and Bankruptcy; United States