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Major cryptocurrency platforms, including Voyager, Celsius, BlockFi, Genesis, Core Scientific and FTX, made major news headlines when they filed for federal bankruptcy relief over the past year. In this webinar, panelists will discuss the key issues and questions that have emerged as crypto companies navigate through the chapter 11 process, including: Are crypto assets property of the bankruptcy estate or must they be turned over to customers? How should loan collateral be treated? Are customers subject to preference claims? What is the interplay between governmental seizures and distributions in the chapter 11 case? How do courts navigate cross-border issues? How does the current regulatory environment impact case and exit strategies?

Panelists

Jessica Liou, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP — Jessica Liou is a partner in the Firm’s Restructuring Department. Jessica represents and advises debtors, creditors, equity holders, investors, and other interested parties in all aspects of distressed and insolvency situations. She has advised debtors, creditors and sponsors in various industries, including cryptocurrency, power, oil & gas, renewable energy, manufacturing, hospitality, retail and telecommunications. Jessica has received several awards and recognitions for her work. She was recently named a 2022 “Rising Star” for Restructuring and Insolvency in the U.S. by IFLR1000 and named among Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers (2020 and 2022). In 2021, Jessica was recognized for her accomplishments leading the landmark chapter 11 restructuring of PG&E Corporation, named “Mega Company Turnaround/Transaction of the Year” by Turnaround Management Association. In 2020, Jessica was named a “Rising Star” in Bankruptcy by Law360. In 2019, Jessica was the recipient of several awards, including being named one of the American Bankruptcy Institute’s 40 Under 40 honorees, Turnarounds & Workouts’ Outstanding Young Restructuring Lawyers and named an “Emerging Leader” by The M&A Advisor. Jessica actively lectures on various topics relating to restructuring, including for organizations such as PLI, the American Bar Association, the American Bankruptcy Institute, the Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors, and the New York City Bar Association. She is the co-editor of the Weil Restructuring Review and regularly publishes articles on various restructuring-related topics, including with Westlaw’s Practical Law Company and the Journal of Bankruptcy Law. Currently, Jessica serves on the Bankruptcy & Corporate Reorganization Committee for the New York City Bar Association. Most recently, Jessica was invited to serve on the 2024 National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges Education Committee. She also currently serves on the Firm’s Philanthropic Committee and Professional Evaluation and Compensation Committee. She has previously served on the Firm’s task force focused on Dodd-Frank financial legislation and as a co-chair of the Bankruptcy and Restructuring Committee of the Asian American Bar Association of New York. She practices pro bono in the areas of immigration, family law and criminal appeals, and has successfully argued before the New York State Appellate Division to uphold an order of protection and was part of a team that successfully overturned a death penalty conviction for a mentally impaired defendant after 19 years. She has been recognized for her pro bono contributions by Sanctuary for Families Center for Battered Women’s Legal Services as a recipient of its 2012 Pro Bono Achievement Award. Jessica earned her J.D. from Boston College Law School, where she served as a legal writing teaching assistant and articles editor of the Third World Law Journal and was awarded the inaugural Commitment to Change Award. She obtained her B.A. from New York University, where she graduated magna cum laude and was awarded the Albert Gallatin Scholarship and Founder’s Day Award.

Bryce Suzuki, Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.  — Bryce Suzuki focuses his practice in bankruptcy, restructuring, and insolvency. He provides strategic business planning and dispute resolution to a diverse range of lenders, companies, and business owners. Bryce also advises businesses in the field of cryptocurrency, blockchain, and related technology. Bryce represents secured and unsecured creditors, debtors, landlords, vendors, investors and equity security holders in a variety of commercial restructuring and insolvency issues such as loan workouts, distressed asset sales, chapter 11 bankruptcy administration and reorganization, receiverships, liquidation, and distressed financing. He regularly first-chairs trials in bankruptcy courts and has significant experience managing appeals involving bankruptcy and insolvency issues. Bryce is involved in numerous professional and community organizations, for many of which he has served board or leadership positions. He is also an adjunct professor at the ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, where he teaches a course on cryptocurrency and blockchain law and policy. He is a frequent speaker on bankruptcy and blockchain topics.