Restructuring Alternatives for High Yield Bonds

Evaluating and Using Exchange Offers and Prepacks to Avoid Bond Default

Recording of a 90-minute CLE teleconference with Q&A


Conducted on Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Recorded event now available


This seminar will examine the restructuring alternatives available for high yield bonds, legal considerations when restructuring, and strategies for choosing and implementing the various alternatives.

Description

High yield bonds have long been a financing source for corporations and in leveraged buyouts. High yield bonds — commonly known in the past as junk bonds — typically pay higher returns than better quality bonds, which make them attractive to investors. However, they carry a higher risk of default.

Moody's predicts that 15% of high yield debt issuers will default this year, compared to a 4% average historically. Because refinancing options are limited in the current economy, issuers are restructuring outstanding bonds to preserve the value of their businesses and avoid bankruptcy.

Restructuring high yield bonds is a complex process involving multiple bondholders, specialized investors and intercreditor issues. Counsel advising issuers should cautiously consider the restructuring alternatives and understand the advantages and legal risks of each.

Listen as a panel of corporate finance and restructuring attorneys examines the restructuring alternatives available for high yield bonds, legal issues to consider in restructuring, and best practices for implementing the various alternatives.

Outline

  1. Restructuring alternatives — benefits, risks, implementation strategies
    1. Exchange offers
    2. Prepackaged plan of reorganization
    3. Prenegotiated plan of reorganization
  2. Legal considerations when restructuring
    1. Impact on issuer’s operations (trade creditors, suppliers, customers)
    2. Court confirmation of prepackaged or prenegotiated plan
    3. Disclosure issues

Benefits

The panel will review these and other key questions:

  • How has the economic downturn impacted issuers of high yield debt?
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of using exchange offers as a restructuring alternative?
  • How can prepacks be used to restructure defaulting high yield debt?
  • What impact does restructuring have on an issuer's business operations?

Faculty

Paul E. Harner, Partner
Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker, Chicago

He focuses on corporate bankruptcy, restructuring and other insolvency-related matters. He has represented debtors, committees and other parties and has played leading roles in large national and international corporate restructurings. He has extensive experience representing bank groups, institutional investors, secured lenders and other parties in bankruptcy, workouts and related litigation.

Scott R. Saks, Partner
Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker, New York

He has extensive experience with securities, capital markets and corporate transactions representing underwriters, financial institutions and corporations in public and private securities offerings, including: equity, ADR, GDR and high-yield and investment-grade debt offerings; U.S. securities exchange listings and SEC registrations; acquisitions and dispositions; and private equity investments.

William F. Schwitter, Partner
Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker, New York

He is Chair of the firm’s Leveraged Finance Practice Group. He has a diversified corporate practice with extensive experience in the areas of corporate finance and securities law. He represents a number of investment banks in both debt and equity transactions. His work covers a variety of industries, including media, telecommunications, retail, gaming and heavy manufacturing.

Ordering

Online CLE - Audio Recording

Includes audio streaming of full program plus handouts (available 24 hours after live seminar).

CLE: Pre-approved for participatory or non-traditional/alternate format credit in: CA, HI*, NY*, WV*. Pre-approved for self-study credit in: AK, AZ, MO, MT, TX, VT, WA.
Upon request, also available in: CO, CT*, FL, GA, ID, KY, LA, ME, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, OR*, SC, TN, UT, WI*, WY. If you are applying for credit in one of these states, make sure to select those states when placing your order.
(*Indicates that Strafford must report attendance.)

Online CLE Audio $149.00
Available 24 hours after the live event

How does this work?


Recorded Event

Includes full event recording plus handouts (available after live seminar).

CLE: Pre-approved for self-study credit in: AK, AZ, CA, CT, HI, MO, MT, NY, TX, VT, WA, WV. Upon request, self-study credit is also available in: CO, FL, GA, ID, KY, ME, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, OR, UT, WI, WY. If you are applying for self-study credit in one of these states, contact Strafford CLE at 1-800-926-7926 ext. 35 or CLE@straffordpub.com.

MP3 Download (Audio Only) $49.00
Available 24 hours after the live event

How does this work?

CD $49.00 plus $9.45 S&H
Available ten business days after the live event

Program Materials

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Program Materials

Requires Adobe Reader 8 or later. Download Acrobat FREE.

CLE Credit

Strafford's live seminars qualify for CLE in every state that accredits webinars. They offer you a high quality, cost effective, and convenient CLE option, with no lost travel time or expenses.

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Customer Reviews

Tremendous program. Exceeded my expectations. Gave me things to consider that I had not previously thought about.

Bruce Henderson

Phelps Jenkins Gibson & Fowler

The presentations provided great insight.

Josh WInslow

Pabian & Russell

I appreciated the practical strategy issues raised by the speakers. The detailed information about specific techniques was especially helpful.

Jennifer Harrison

Faegre & Benson

I liked the combined depth of information and speed of presentation. Well done!

Andre Dalbec

SAANYS

Good handouts and up to date references.

Andrew Davis

Lieben Whitted Houghton Slowiaczek & Cavanagh

Finance Law Advisory Board

Charles H. Baker

Partner

DLA Piper

Anne Lee Benedict

Partner

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher

Mark N. Berman

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Nixon Peabody

Willa Cohen Bruckner

Partner

Alston & Bird

Laura D. Richman

Counsel

Mayer Brown

Robert M. Stern

Partner

O’Melveny & Myers