Tag Archives: bankruptcy filings

Maurice Wutscher’s Alan Hochheiser Sums Up 2022’s Top Trends in Bankruptcy Law for Law360

Jan. 12, 2023 — Maurice Wutscher bankruptcy practitioner Alan Hochheiser sums up the top trends in bankruptcy law during 2022 and looks ahead to what 2023 may hold in an expert analysis article for Law360.

In “Takeaways From 2022’s Top Bankruptcy Trends,” Mr. Hochheiser explains that despite fewer overall bankruptcies registered, 2022 saw an increase in novel bankruptcy litigation issues in both consumer and commercial matters, particularly regarding procedures, stay violations, new options, and student loan discharge.

Alan Hochheiser is a principal at national business and financial services law firm Maurice Wutscher LLP, where he advises and represents businesses, regional and national banks, credit unions, equipment lessors and other lenders, as well as secured and unsecured creditors. Mr. Hochheiser chairs the ABA Business Law Section’s Consumer Bankruptcy Committee. He has been named to ALM’s list of Cleveland’s Top-Rated Lawyers and is peer-rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, the worldwide guide to lawyers.

Maurice Wutscher’s Alan Hochheiser Speaks to Lawyer Monthly About the State of Bankruptcy and Fraud Litigation in 2022

Sept. 28, 2022 — Maurice Wutscher bankruptcy practitioner Alan Hochheiser recently spoke to Lawyer Monthly about the state of bankruptcy and fraud litigation in 2022.

In the article, Mr. Hochheiser explains that following a pandemic-induced shake-up in business practices and solvency, the future for creditors remains uncertain. Discussing how bankruptcy and fraud litigation is developing in the lead-up to 2023, he examines what trends are emerging and what questions remain.

“The current state of bankruptcy litigation is different from what we have seen in the past. As a bankruptcy practitioner for over 30 years, I have seen several highs and lows in the number of bankruptcy filings. In 2021, bankruptcy filings were at their lowest levels since the mid-1980s. There were fewer than 400,000 filings nationally. Through the first half of 2022, filings have remained stagnant. What we can project for the rest of 2022 and into 2023 will depend on many factors, including the state of the economy, interest rates, the job market, the availability of credit, and bankruptcy legislation,” he explains.

Maurice Wutscher’s Alan Hochheiser Outlines Current Issues in Consumer Bankruptcy Law in Business Law Today

Sept. 14, 2022 — Maurice Wutscher bankruptcy practitioner Alan Hochheiser takes a closer look at the most pertinent issues in consumer bankruptcy law today in a recent article for the American Bar Association’s news magazine Business Law Today.

In “Current Issues in Consumer Bankruptcy Law,” he explains that bankruptcy filings in 2021 dropped to its lowest number since 1984 due to the pandemic. However, he writes, “The recent increase in interest rates by the Federal Reserve could have an impact on the number of bankruptcy filings. Borrowers who have adjustable rates will see their monthly payments increase. This effect, coupled with rising prices and supply chain issues, may cause consumers to look to bankruptcy to reorganize or seek a fresh start.”

Mr. Hochheiser also discusses the impacts of the Small Business Reorganization Act and the Paycheck Protection Program on commercial filings and sums up recent case law activity regarding automatic stay violations, Chapter 13 dismissals, and itemizations in proofs of claim.