Bankruptcy Fraudulent Transfers as Securities Claims: Opening the Door to Recovering D&O Insurance Proceeds

This CLE webinar will discuss the novel approach used in Verizon Commc’ns. Inc., et al. v. Nat’l Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, et al, Case No N18C-08-086 EMD CCLD (Del. Super. Ct. Oct. 18, 2022) for accessing D&O insurance coverage in connection with a fraudulent transfer claim. The panel will discuss the rationale of Verizon, and how bankruptcy trustees and other estate representatives (such as creditors’ committees) can leverage the holding in this case to augment the estate.

In Verizon, the Delaware Superior Court ruled that when suing companies for fraudulently transferring money or assets, a bankruptcy trustee representing the debtor's creditors can be deemed a "securities holder" so that such claims in bankruptcy may be deemed securities claims for which D&O coverage is available.

D&O insurance often covers securities claims against a company, its affiliates and their executives, creating a potentially significant source of funds for creditors in a bankruptcy case involving a company or its affiliates. Furthermore, policies typically cover not only settlements and judgments but also related attorneys’ fees and costs and even experts' fees.

Listen as this experienced panel discusses this novel approach for accessing D&O insurance proceeds to repay fraudulent transfers.