Municipal Insolvencies

Lawyers who understand the unique world of municipal insolvencies are essential to resolving key issues and disputes in chapter 9 cases. Morrison & Foerster has developed a multidisciplinary team, with the special expertise to handle this unique and challenging area of law. Our lawyers have extensive experience representing creditors in chapter 9 cases. We also represent municipal entities, such as cities, states, airport authorities, ports, retirement systems and water districts, among others, outside of insolvency, which gives us a greater insight into the inner workings of municipalities.

Select Representations

• The Official Subcommittee of Governmental Units Located Outside of Orange County in the Orange County, California chapter 9 bankruptcy, where we secured a 118% recovery (including third-party recoveries) for our clients
   
• Two of the largest general unsecured creditors in the Los Osos Community Services District chapter 9 bankruptcy, including advising on a variety of plan confirmation issues involving California state law and federal bankruptcy law
   
• Ventura Port District in its chapter 9 bankruptcy proceedings
   
• Key creditors, including developers and contractors of the city's former Navy base, in the City of Vallejo, California chapter 9 bankruptcy
   
• Various parties in the City of Stockton, California and City of San Bernardino, California chapter 9 bankruptcies
   
• Various creditor parties in the Jefferson County, Alabama chapter 9 bankruptcy
   
• A class of parents and students in successfully obtaining an injunction, later upheld by the California Supreme Court, blocking the premature closure of schools in the Richmond Unified School District chapter 9 bankruptcy
   
• Municipal clients involved in the PG&E chapter 11 case, including the City of Palo Alto as member of the creditors’ committee