PAUL G. GARDEPHE, District Judge.
These bankruptcy appeals arise out of the 2012 financial collapse of Grubb & Ellis
The debtors in this action are Grubb & Ellis and its affiliated entities (collectively, the "Debtors").
The subject of these consolidated appeals are certain pre- and post-petition broker commissions that Appellants claim were wrongfully made part of the bankruptcy sale over their limited objections. (See MSF Limited Objection to Motion for Order Approving the Sale of Substantially all of the Debtors' Assets ("MSF Brokers' Objection") (Bankr. Dkt. No. 238) ¶ 6; Statement Seeking Clarification and Reservation
Appellants challenge the Sale Order on three grounds. They contend that the bankruptcy court erred by (1) adjudicating Appellants' rights to the disputed commissions without affording them an opportunity to present evidence at an adversary proceeding; (2) placing the burden on Appellants to prove that the commissions were not the property of the bankruptcy estate; and (3) concluding that the commissions belong to the bankruptcy estate rather than to Appellants. (See MSF Brokers' Opening Br. (Dkt. No. 17) at 3)
Although Appellants disclaim any desire to "unwind" the bankruptcy sale through this appeal (see MSF Brokers' Reply Br. (Dkt. No. 18) at 2), Appellants contend that they "are entitled to an adversary proceeding [pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 7001] to determine their state law property rights." (MSF Brokers' Opening Br. (Dkt. No. 17) at 46) In the alternative, Appellants argue that this Court should issue a declaratory judgment that (1) a constructive trust applies to the commissions Appellants seek, and that the bankruptcy court erred "in failing to carve out the Commissions from the Debtors' estates"; and (2) the "Commissions earned by [Appellants] and collected by Debtors after the February 20, 2012 Chapter 11 filings are not included in the assets sold to BGC." (Id.)
At the time of its 2012 bankruptcy, Grubb & Ellis was a publicly traded real estate company that employed more than 1,300 brokers, including Appellants. (Declaration of Michael J. Rispoli Pursuant to Local Bankruptcy Rule 1007-2 ("Rispoli 1007 Decl.") (Bankr. Dkt. No. 2) ¶¶ 8, 36) The Company's financial woes were precipitated by the 2007-2009 collapse of the real estate and financial markets and exacerbated by the Company's ill-timed merger with NNN Realty Advisors, Inc., a real estate investment management firm. (Id. ¶¶ 12, 79-81) In early 2011, Grubb & Ellis embarked on a strategy aimed at restructuring its operations and improving its liquidity. (Id. ¶ 94) In furtherance of these goals, the Company raised $28 million in financing through a credit facility with Colfin GNE Loan Funding, LLC, and C-III Investments (the "Senior Secured Debt"). (Id. ¶¶ 45-46) Grubb & Ellis also engaged a financial advisor — JMP Securities, LLC ("JMP") — to help it either obtain financing or sell some or all of its assets. (Id. ¶ 95) As part of its efforts to assist Grubb & Ellis, JMP approached 44 potential sale partners, including BGC. (Id. ¶¶ 97, 104) Although Grubb & Ellis entered into negotiations with BGC, the parties could not reach agreement on sale terms prior to the expiration of BGC's exclusive negotiating window. (Id. ¶ 104) Shortly thereafter, Grubb & Ellis concluded that an out-of-court sale or restructuring was not practical, and that a bankruptcy sale pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 363 presented the only viable path forward. (Id. ¶ 105) Accordingly, on February 12, 2012, the Company retained Alvarez & Marsal Holdings, LLC ("A & M") to assist it with the bankruptcy process. (Id. ¶¶ 106-07)
On February 20, 2012 (the "Petition Date"), the Debtors formally filed a voluntary petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy,
(Rispoli 1007 Decl. (Bankr. Dkt. No. 2) ¶ 22)
On March 7, 2012, the bankruptcy court issued an order that, among other things, approved bid procedures and bid protections for the sale of substantially all of the Debtors' assets, approved the Debtors' asset purchase agreement ("APA") with stalking horse bidder BGC, and scheduled an auction and sale hearing. (Mar. 7, 2012 Order (Bankr. Dkt. No. 94)) The March 7 Order set the sale hearing date for March 22, 2012, and imposed a March 16, 2012 filing deadline for objections to the proposed sale. (Id. at 5) The Ad Hoc Committee of Brokers and the MSF Brokers each filed timely objections. (Bankr. Dkt. Nos. 238 & 239)
The Debtors filed their proposed asset purchase agreement ("APA") with BGC on March 2, 2012. (Bankr. Dkt. No. 74-1) Pursuant to the terms of the APA, BGC agreed to purchase substantially all of the Debtors' assets for (a) $30,029,055.70 (the amount of prepetition secured obligations), plus (b) the principal amount of loans made under the debtor-in-possession financing, plus (c) any cure amount paid by BGC for the acquired assets, plus (d) $15,000,00 in cash, subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 1.3 of the Stalking Horse APA. (March 7, 2012 Order (Bankr. Dkt. No. 94), Ex. 1, "Bidding Procedures" at 3)
The APA makes no mention of broker commissions. However, the term "acquired assets" is defined broadly and includes, inter alia, "all cash and cash equivalents" as well as all "[a]cquired [r]eceivables." (APA, Art. VIII (Bankr. Dkt. No. 74-1) at 32) The APA defines "[a]cquired [r]eceivables," in turn, as
(Id. at 34) The APA also defines "excluded assets"; this term does not include broker commissions. (Id. at 36-37)
On March 1, 2012, the Debtors filed a motion pursuant to 11 U.S.C. §§ 363(b) and 503(c) (Bankr. Dkt. No. 65), which was subsequently amended on March 7, 2012 (Bankr. Dkt. No. 95), seeking the bankruptcy court's authorization for a broker loan program (the "Loan Program"). The amended motion explains that
(Id. ¶ 8) At the time of the bankruptcy sale, the money owed to the brokers included commissions and expenses accrued from both pre-petition transactions — that had either already closed or were scheduled to close — and post-petition transactions. (Sale Hearing Transcript ("Tr.") (Bankr. Dkt. No. 839) 84-87) In urging the bankruptcy court to implement the Loan Program, the Debtors declared that the brokers were their "most valuable asset" and noted that, "absent the[ir] retention..., the Debtors' businesses will lose more of their value, hindering a successful Sale." (Amended Motion (Bankr. Dkt. No. 95) ¶ 7) Accordingly, the Debtors and BGC proposed establishing the Loan Program to "allow the Debtors to pay the loan proceeds to the Brokers on an expedited basis to preserve the Debtors' enterprise value pending consummation of the Sale." (Id. ¶ 6)
Under the terms of the proposed Loan Program, Grubb & Ellis would — in lieu of paying the brokers their accrued commissions and expenses — give participating brokers a forgivable loan. (Id. ¶ 17) So long as a broker continued to work for BGC for up to two years, died or became physically disabled, or was terminated by BGC without cause, the loan would be forgiven. (Id.) If, on the other hand, a participating broker stopped working for BGC for any other reason, the loan would become due immediately. (Id.) The Loan Program further required that participating brokers release Grubb & Ellis from any pre-petition claims relating to their commissions and expenses. (Id. ¶ 19)
The bankruptcy court scheduled a hearing for March 14, 2012 to consider the Debtors' motion and any objections to the proposed Loan Program. (Bankr. Dkt. No. 95-5) Several parties, including the Ad Hoc Committee of Brokers (but not the MSF Brokers), submitted objections. (Bankr. Dkt. No. 112) The Debtors responded to these objections by noting that "post-petition[,] more than 60 Brokers" had left Grubb & Ellis to seek employment with competitors, and that the Loan Program was intended to "implement a voluntary program whereby a Broker can, if they so choose, avail themselves of the ability to obtain a forgivable loan against [their pre-petition] commissions." (Rispoli Decl. in Support of Amended Motion (Bankr. Dkt. No. 123) ¶ 25) The Debtors further emphasized that the Loan Program would not "prejudice a Broker's ability to seek payment of ... Commissions on an administrative priority basis." (Id. ¶ 28) At the March 14, 2012 hearing, Debtors's counsel agreed to postpone consideration
The day before the sale hearing, the Debtors submitted a declaration from CFO Rispoli in further support of the Sale Motion. ("Rispoli Decl." (Bankr. Dkt. No. 765)) Broker agreements between Grubb & Ellis and eight of the nine MSF Brokers were attached to the Rispoli Declaration as exhibits. (See Bankr. Dkt. Nos. 765-3 through 765-10)
The broker agreements, which contain different terms, set forth the nature of the employment relationship
The Rispoli Declaration, which was introduced at the sale hearing, contains the following explanation of the Debtors' practices regarding broker ("Agent") commissions:
(Rispoli Decl. (Bankr. Dkt. No. 765) ¶¶ 21-29) Appellants did not submit any declarations or rebuttal evidence in advance of the sale hearing.
Both the MSF Brokers and the Ad Hoc Committee filed objections to the proposed bankruptcy sale. (MSF Brokers' Objection (Bankr. Dkt. No. 238); Ad Hoc Committee's Objection (Bankr. Dkt. No. 239))
The MSF Brokers' Objection — which is a "limited objection" — states that,
(MSF Brokers' Objection (Bankr. Dkt. No. 238) ¶ 8)
The MSF Brokers requested the following "clarification" to the proposed sale order:
(Id. ¶ 9)
The Ad Hoc Committee styled its objection to the proposed sale as a "statement seeking clarification and reservation of rights." (Ad Hoc Committee's Objection (Bankr. Dkt. No. 239) at 1) The Ad Hoc Committee explained that it did not oppose the sale, but sought "clarification with respect to the Debtors' and the prospective purchaser's [i.e., BGC's] definition of pre-versus post-petition commissions, [BGC's] intentions with respect to payment of the same, and the retention, if any, by [BGC] of any commissions paid after the closing of the Sale." (Id. ¶ 1) The Ad Hoc Committee's Objection asserts that
(Id. ¶ 5)
Although the Ad Hoc Committee did not oppose the sale, it sought "assurances and representations" from BGC that would "allow the brokers to make informed and educated decisions about their future[.]" (Id. ¶ 6) More specifically, the Ad Hoc Committee asked that BGC disclose and/or represent the following:
(Id.) The Ad Hoc Committee did not assert a constructive trust claim or otherwise join in the MSF Brokers' Objection.
The Debtors filed an omnibus response to these and other objections (the "Debtors' Response" (Bankr. Dkt. No. 763), and BGC submitted a declaration in support of the Sale Motion from its financial advisor ("Edelman Decl." (Bankr. Dkt. No. 769)).
With respect to Appellants' limited objections, the Debtors asserted that "[c]ommissions collected, and receivables for commissions not yet collected, are property of the [Debtors'] estate[] and can be sold free and clear of liens, claims and encumbrances." (Debtors' Response (Bankr. Dkt. No. 763) ¶ 48) The Debtors further noted that Appellants did not dispute that "the Debtors' agreements with third-party clients provide that commissions are owed to the Debtors (not the Agents), and the Agents' right to payments stems solely from the Agents' separate agreements with Debtors (not the clients)." (Id. (citing Rispoli Decl. (Bankr. Dkt. No. 765) ¶ 23))) Finally, the Debtors argued that Appellants had "conceded that they are subject to written agreements with the Debtors" and thus precluded from making a constructive trust claim, given law "in this Circuit [that] constructive trust is a remedy imposed only in the absence of a written agreement." (Id. ¶ 50 (citing Superintendent of Ins. v. Ochs (In re First Central Fin. Corp.), 377 F.3d 209, 213 (2d Cir.2004) ("[W]e conclude that this principle — that the existence of a written agreement precludes a finding of unjust enrichment — also applies to constructive trust claims....").
On March 22, 2012, the bankruptcy court conducted the scheduled sale hearing and heard argument regarding the merits of the Sale Motion.
(Id. at 72-73) Although counsel acknowledged that it was necessary to bring a constructive trust claim through a Rule 7001 adversary proceeding (id. at 72), Appellants never requested or initiated such a proceeding.
At the sale hearing, Appellants had an opportunity to cross-examine all of the Debtors' and BGC's witnesses, including CFO Rispoli. On cross-examination, Rispoli testified that the Debtors' accrued obligations with respect to unpaid commissions amounted to "about $5 million of commissions that would have been due in the normal course" (id. at 84), and included "approximately one and a half million dollars of commissions for prepetition transactions." (Id. at 87) Rispoli further testified that, as of the Petition Date, approximately $12 million worth of commissions were outstanding for transactions that had not yet closed. (Id.) When asked how former brokers of Grubb & Ellis were to receive their portion of the unpaid commissions, Rispoli testified:
(Id. at 89-90)
In addition to arguing that the brokers held a constructive trust over the commissions, the Ad Hoc Committee's counsel argued — for the first time — that his clients had a lien on all unpaid commissions pursuant to Article 2 of the New York Lien Law. (Id. at 124-29)
During the sale hearing, the bankruptcy court expressed some hesitancy about resolving the MSF Brokers' constructive trust claims in the context of a sale hearing. (See id. at 142 ("[T]he issue for me is I don't quite understand why I need to resolve, in the context of this sale hearing, whether there is a constructive trust or not.... [I]t's not clear to me why that needs to be resolved I don't see why I have to resolve it.")) Appellants' counsel urged the bankruptcy judge not to resolve the issue, arguing that "[a]ll [Appellants] want is our day in court." (Id. (counsel for MSF Brokers); see also id. at 129 (counsel for Ad Hoc Committee ("[W]e've asked for proposed language ... seeking to preserve our right to assert a constructive trust or a statutory trust.... That's all we're seeking today.... We're seeking to carve out our rights. We're not seeking to implement a trust, ... We're asking simply to preserve our rights to assert that.")
Counsel for the Debtors and BGC vigorously disputed Appellants' assertion that ownership of the disputed commissions could be adjudicated after the bankruptcy sale had been consummated. BGC's counsel, Emanuel Grillo, argued that the bankruptcy court should decide the constructive trust claim at that time, pursuant to 11 U.S.C. §§ 363(b) and 363(f):
(Id. at 173-76)
The bankruptcy court ultimately determined that the sale was a valid exercise of the Debtors' business judgment, and approved the sale. See In re Grubb & Ellis Co., 12-10685 MG, 2012 WL 1036071, at *3-5 (Bankr.S.D.N.Y. Mar. 27, 2012); Mar. 27, 2012 Sale Order (Bankr. Dkt. No. 830). In reaching that conclusion, the bankruptcy court overruled the MSF Brokers' Objection, finding that they had not proven their constructive trust claim. In re Grubb & Ellis Co., 2012 WL 1036071, at *5-6.
The bankruptcy court began its analysis by correctly noting that, "pursuant to [11 U.S.C. § ]363(p), `the entity asserting an interest in property has the burden of proof on the issue of validity, priority, or extent of such interest.'" Id. at *6 (quoting 11 U.S.C. § 363(p)). The MSF Brokers, however, "ha[d] not provided any evidence supporting imposition of a constructive trust at this time." Id. The bankruptcy court further noted that unjust enrichment is an element of a constructive trust claim under New York law, and that the Second Circuit has held that "unjust enrichment only exists where no prior agreement governed the rights of the parties." Id. (citing In re First Central Fin. Corp., 377 F.3d at 213). Here, of course, written agreements governed the relationship between the Debtors and the MSF Brokers.
In support of their objection, the MSF Brokers relied heavily on In re Rama Grp. of Companies, Inc., 01-CV-0424E(SR), 2002 WL 1012974 (W.D.N.Y. May 6, 2002). In Rama, the district court found that a constructive trust existed over a commission where a broker had agreed-prior to the debtor's bankruptcy-to find a buyer for the debtor's assets. In re Rama Grp. of Companies, Inc., 264 B.R. 267, 268 (Bankr. W.D.N.Y.2001), aff'd on other grounds, 01-CV-0424E(SR), 2002 WL 1012974 (W.D.N.Y. May 6, 2002). After completion of the sale and the filing of the bankruptcy petition, the debtor failed to pay the broker his promised commission. Id. On appeal, the district court held that the broker held a constructive trust over the commission he had earned. Id.
In discussing Rama, the bankruptcy court concluded that it was distinguishable on its facts:
In re Grubb & Ellis Co., 2012 WL 1036071, at *7.
In overruling the MSF Brokers' Objection, the bankruptcy court concluded that
Id.
The bankruptcy court also rejected the Ad Hoc Committee's reliance on the New York Lien Law. While noting that this objection was untimely, the bankruptcy court nevertheless went on to consider the objection on its merits. The court began its analysis by noting that the New York Lien Law permits real estate brokers to file mechanics' liens, but that any liens must be on real property, a category that does not include cash commissions. Id. at *8. The court further noted that the Ad Hoc Committee had "offered no evidence to suggest that any notice of such lien was filed in accordance with New York Lien Law." Id., Finally, the court explained that "the provision allowing real estate brokers to file mechanics liens is restricted to `brokerage contracts between a property owner/lessor and a broker.'" Id. (citing Robert Plan Corp. v. Greiner-Maltz Co., Inc., 229 A.D.2d 122, 123, 655 N.Y.S.2d 648 (N.Y.App.Div.1997)). Here, by contrast, "[t]he Debtors are the actual brokers holding contracts with property owners; the [brokers] are agents (either employees or independent contractors) of the Debtors; the agents are not parties to the contracts with the property owners." Id.
Given these circumstances, the bankruptcy court rejected the objections of both the Ad Hoc Committee and the MSF Brokers, and approved the sale "free and clear of any liens or interests." Id. at *10. Pursuant to Fed. R. Bankr.R. 6004(h), the bankruptcy court stayed its order for seven days in order to "`provide sufficient time for an objecting party to request a stay pending appeal before the order can be implemented.'" Id. (quoting 10 Collier on Bankruptcy ¶ 6004.11 (Alan N. Resnick & Henry J. Somers eds., 16th ed. 2011)).
Appellants did not seek a further stay of the Sale Order. Instead, on the same day that the Sale Order was issued, Appellants filed the instant appeals. (Bankr. Dkt.
District courts are vested with appellate jurisdiction over final judgments, orders, and decrees of bankruptcy courts pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 158(a). On appeal, a bankruptcy court's "[f]indings of fact, whether based on oral or other evidence, must not be set aside unless clearly erroneous." Fed. R. Civ. P. 52 (applicable pursuant to Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9014, 7052).
Appellants did not seek a stay of the Sale Order. Accordingly, as a preliminary matter, this Court must determine what effect, if any, Appellant's failure to seek a stay has on this Court's ability to order the relief that Appellants seek.
Section 363(m) of the Bankruptcy Code states in relevant part:
11 U.S.C. § 363(m) (emphasis added). Pursuant to Section 363(m), "appellate jurisdiction over an unstayed sale order issued by a bankruptcy court is statutorily limited to the narrow issue of whether the property was sold to a good faith purchaser." In re Gucci, 105 F.3d 837, 839 (2d Cir.1997) ("Gucci I") (emphasis in original). The purpose of this provision is to provide finality without "the risk of endless litigation[.]" In re Gucci, 126 F.3d 380, 387 (2d Cir.1997) ("Gucci II").
"The Second Circuit has strictly enforced Section 363(m) [.]" In re Motors Liquidation Co., 430 B.R. 65, 78 (S.D.N.Y. 2010) (citing Gucci I, 105 F.3d at 840). "[W]ithout this assurance of finality, purchasers could demand a large discount for investing in a property that is laden with the risk of endless litigation as to who has rights to estate property." Gucci II, 126
"`This limitation of the issues on appeal generally is warranted where an appellant did not seek a stay pending appeal and reflects the view that an appellant is rightly burdened with the risks associated with challenging a sale authorization when that appellant did not first seek to stay the sale.'" In re Motors Liquidation Co., 428 B.R. 43, 53 (S.D.N.Y.2010) (quoting Gucci I., 105 F.3d at 840 (citing United States v. Salerno, 932 F.2d 117, 123 (2d Cir.1991))); see also In re Leatherstocking Antiques, Inc., 12 CIV. 7758 ER, 2013 WL 5423995, at *4 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 27, 2013) ("[B]ecause Appellant does not contest the good faith of the purchasers and the Court does not discern any basis on which to find bad faith, and because no stay of the Orders was sought, the appeal is statutorily moot.").
Although Section 363(m) "does not with absolute clarity forbid a court that is reviewing a bankruptcy order of sale to a good faith purchaser from ordering `some form of relief other than invalidation of the sale,' it does explicitly forbid courts from `revers[ing o]r modif[ying]' the sale, and courts have `regularly ruled that the appeal [from such a decision] is moot.'" In re MSR Resort Golf Course LLC, 13 CIV. 2448 KPF, 2014 WL 67364, at *6 (S.D.N.Y. Jan. 7, 2014) (alterations in original) (quoting Gucci I, 105 F.3d at 839-40 & n. 1). In other words, Appellants' decision to seek a modification of, rather than a reversal of, the Sale Order does not relieve them of their burden to obtain a stay. Indeed, courts in this District have repeatedly rejected efforts to circumvent Section 363(m)'s requirements on this basis as resting on a "specious distinction." In re Lehman Bros. Holdings, Inc., 415 B.R. 77, 85 (S.D.N.Y.2009); see also In re Metaldyne Corp., 421 B.R. 620, 626 (S.D.N.Y.2009); In re MSR Resort Golf Course LLC 2014 WL 67364, at *9.
There is no dispute here about procedural history. The bankruptcy court held a sale hearing pursuant to Section 363(b). Appellants had notice of the sale hearing and an opportunity to file objections to the proposed sale order. Appellants filed such objections and fully participated in the sale hearing. They cross-examined witnesses, objected to proffered evidence, and offered arguments in support of their respective objections. After the sale hearing, the bankruptcy court approved the sale of substantially all of the Debtors' assets. The Sale Order unquestionably included the disputed commissions that Appellants claim rightfully belong to them. Appellants did not seek or obtain a stay of the Sale Order, but instead opted to file these appeals.
Because Appellants did not obtain a stay of the Sale Order, their appeals are statutorily moot. The bankruptcy court's memorandum opinion and the accompanying Sale Order warn Appellants that the sale would not be disturbed unless a party who wished to appeal first sought a stay of the Sale Order. In re Grubb & Ellis Co., 2012 WL 1036071, at *10; Mar. 27, 2012 Sale Order (Dkt. No. 830) at ¶ 25 ("[T]he reversal or modification on appeal of the authorization provided herein to consummate the sale shall not affect the validity of the Transactions ... unless such authorization and consummation of such sale are duly and properly stayed pending such appeal."). Accordingly, Appellants were on notice that a stay would be necessary to
Neither the MSF Brokers nor the Ad Hoc Committee sought a stay, however, and the sale closed on April 13, 2012. (Br. Dkt. No. 902) As a result, the only issue properly before this Court is whether the bankruptcy court committed reversible error in finding that BGC was a good faith purchaser. Appellants do not dispute that BGC was a good faith purchaser, however. There is thus nothing left for this Court to review.
In an effort to evade Section 363(m)'s limitations, Appellants contend that "statutory mootness ... does not apply because [they] are not seeking to unwind the entire [s]ale[,] and [because] the Court can fashion relief against the proceeds of the Sale." (MSF Brokers Reply Br. (Dkt. No. 18) at 6) In making this argument, Appellants rely on Mission Iowa Wind Co. v. Enron Corp., 291 B.R. 39 (S.D.N.Y.2003). In that case, "the court permitted an effort to seek a true reallocation of cash when a substantial portion of the payment from the purchaser to the sellers would, due to the corporate structure implicated, flow back upstream into the bankrupt estate and so return to the bankruptcy court's jurisdiction after the asset sale was complete[.]" In re MSR Resort Golf Course LLC, 2014 WL 67364 at *10.
Appellants' reliance on Mission Iowa Wind is misplaced. First, Mission Iowa Wind conflicts with Second Circuit authority holding that Section 363(m) operates to divest courts of jurisdiction to review a bankruptcy court sale order that was not stayed. See Contrarian Funds LLC v. Aretex LLC (In re WestPoint Stevens, Inc.), 600 F.3d 231, 247 (2d Cir.2010) (Section 363(m) "creates a rule of `statutory mootness,' ... which bars appellate review of any sale authorized by 11 U.S.C. § 363(b) or (c) so long as the sale was made to a good-faith purchaser and was not stayed pending appeal.... Indeed, we have equated section 363(m) to an imposed jurisdictional limit on our authority to review the Bankruptcy Court's sale order.")
Second, as was the case in In re MSR Resort Golf Course LLC, this Court cannot fashion relief since "no funds remain under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court from which the Appellant[s] could seek distribution ... and it is impossible for the Appellant[s] to recover on [their] claim[s] without invalidating the sale as a whole." In re MSR Resort Golf Course LLC, 2014 WL 67364, at *10.
Finally, Appellants improperly minimize the significance of the relief they are seeking. While the precise amount of the disputed commissions claimed by Appellants is unclear, that number clearly exceeds several million dollars. (MSF Brokers Opening Br. (Dkt. No. 17) at 23-24; Tr. (Bankr. Dkt. 839) 137-38 (MSF Brokers are due "in excess of $3 million") Given that BGC paid approximately $50 million for Grubb & Ellis's assets, satisfying Appellants' commission claims would not have a "relatively small impact" on the transaction, as Appellants argue. (MSF Brokers Reply Br. (Dkt. No. 18) at 5) Moreover, the bankruptcy court found that BGC "would not have entered into the APA and would not [have] consummate[d] the sale... if the sale of the Acquired Assets was not free and clear of all Claims...." (Mar. 27, 2012 Sale Order (Dkt. No. 830) at 11) In sum, Appellants' argument that they are not seeking to overturn the Sale Order, but merely to modify its terms, rests on a "specious distinction." In re
Appellants also contend that since "the MSF Brokers' trust claims must be determined according to New York state law[,]" those claims "cannot be mooted where the Bankruptcy Court exceeds its jurisdiction and tramples on state law property rights." (MSF Brokers Reply Br. (Dkt. No. 18) at 6) Setting aside the fact that Appellants waived any argument that the bankruptcy court "exceed[ed] its jurisdiction" — having not raised this argument until their reply brief on this appeal — the argument fails on its merits. Whether the disputed commissions are property of the Debtors' estate plainly raises an issue within the bankruptcy court's "core jurisdiction" under 28 U.S.C. § 157(b). See, e.g., In re Velo Holdings Inc., 475 B.R. 367, 386 (Bankr.S.D.N.Y.2012) ("The determination whether something is property of the estate is a core matter."); In re Reliance Grp. Holdings, Inc., 273 B.R. 374, 395 (Bankr.E.D.Pa.2002) (proceeding to determine property of a bankruptcy estate pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 541 concerns a core matter, "even though such a determination may rest upon interpretation of state law").
Moreover, the bankruptcy court did not-as Appellants argue — "disregard[]" the MSF Brokers' state law property rights or "trample[] on basic principles of federalism and comity" (MSF Brokers' Opening Br. (Dkt. No. 17) at 32-33) To the contrary, the bankruptcy court's opinion approving the sale contains an extensive discussion of New York constructive trust and lien law and its interplay with the Bankruptcy Code. See In re Grubb & Ellis Co., 2012 WL 1036071, at *6-9. To the extent that the bankruptcy court concluded that it could not permit the constructive trust doctrine to "creat[e] a separate allocation mechanism outside the scope of the bankruptcy system," the court relied on well established law from this and other circuits. Id. at *7.
Because (1) Appellants did not obtain a stay of the Sale Order, and (2) there is no dispute that BGC was a good-faith purchaser, the consolidated appeals are statutorily moot.
The consolidated appeals must also be dismissed on grounds of equitable mootness.
The doctrine of equitable mootness is "a prudential doctrine under which the district court may dismiss a bankruptcy appeal `when, even though effective relief could conceivably be fashioned, implementation of that relief would be inequitable.'" In re Charter Commc'ns, Inc., 691 F.3d 476, 481 (2d Cir.2012) (quoting Official Comm. of Unsecured Creditors of LTV Aerospace & Def. Co. v. Official Comm. of Unsecured Creditors of LTV Steel Co. (In re Chateaugay Corp.), 988 F.2d 322, 325 (2d Cir. 1993) ("Chateaugay I")). "Equitable mootness `is concerned with whether a particular remedy can be granted without unjustly upsetting a debtor's plan of reorganization.'" In re MSR Resort Golf Course LLC, 2014 WL 67364, at *10 (quoting In re Charter Commc'ns, 691 F.3d at 481).
"[A]n appeal is presumed equitably moot where the debtor's plan of reorganization has been substantially consummated." In re MSR Resort Golf Course LLC, 2014 WL 67364, at *10 (quoting In re Charter Commc'ns, 691 F.3d at 482). The Bankruptcy Code provides that a plan has
In re PC Liquidation Corp., 383 B.R. 856, 863 (E.D.N.Y.2008) (quoting 11 U.S.C. § 1101(2)). "A determination [of] whether substantial consummation has occurred depends on the facts and circumstances of each case[,]" but "[t]he burden of proof is on the proponent of the modification." In re Boylan Int'l Ltd., 452 B.R. 43, 48 (Bankr.S.D.N.Y.2011) (citing 7 Collier on Bankruptcy ¶¶ 1127.03[2]. 1101.02[1][a]).
"An appeal of a bankruptcy transaction is equitably moot unless all [of the following] five factors are met," In re PC Liquidation Corp., 383 B.R. at 863 (emphasis in original):
Id. (quoting Frito-Lay, Inc. v. LTV Steel Co. (In re Chateaugay Corp.), 10 F.3d 944, 953 (2d Cir.1993) ("Chateaugay II")); see also In re Granite Broad. Corp., 385 B.R. 41, 50 (S.D.N.Y.2008) (quoting Chateaugay II, 10 F.3d at 952-53).
"It is well settled that `when a stay of an order confirming a reorganization plan pending appeal has not been obtained and the plan has been consummated, the appeal may be dismissed as moot.'" In re Granite Broad. Corp., 385 B.R. at 51 (quoting In re Revere Copper and Brass Inc., 78 B.R. 17, 20 (S.D.N.Y. 1987) (collecting cases); In re Metromedia Fiber Network, Inc., 416 F.3d 136, 145 (2d Cir.2005)). "[T]he Second Circuit demands that a party seek a stay `even if it may seem highly unlikely that the bankruptcy court will issue one.'" In re Granite Broad. Corp., 385 B.R. at 51 (quoting In re Metromedia Fiber Network, Inc., 416 F.3d at 144). "A party cannot escape the obligation to protect its litigation position by so facile an argument." Chateaugay I, 988 F.2d at 326.
An appellant is required to seek a stay even where it is not seeking to "unravel[] the Plan." In re Metromedia Fiber Network, Inc., 416 F.3d at 145 ("In the absence of any request for a stay, the question is not solely whether we can provide relief without unraveling the Plan, but also whether we should provide such relief in light of fairness concerns.") (emphasis in original); see also In re Arcapita Bank B.S.C.(c), BR 12-11076, 2014 WL 46552, at *7 (S.D.N.Y. Jan. 6, 2014) ("There is no support for Appellant's contention that seeking a stay of the orders was not important because the Plan resulted in the liquidation of the Debtors. It should have been obvious to Appellant ... that the Debtors and third parties would have to
Here, the sale of substantially all of the Debtors' assets has been "substantially consummated." The sale to BGC closed on April 13, 2012. (Notice of Effective Date (Dkt. No. 902)) Since that date, BGC has either been assigned or rejected thousands of contracts, acquired ownership of all of the Debtors' assets, and continued the employment of nearly 2,000 of the Debtors' former employees. (Appellees' Joint Opening Br. (Dkt. No. 15) at 13 (citing dozens of items from the bankruptcy record)) Appellants' conclusory statement that "there has been no comprehensive change of circumstances" does not suffice to show that the relief they request is either possible or equitable. (MSF Brokers Reply Br. (Dkt. No. 18) at 7)
Moreover, Appellants have not satisfied several of the Chateaugay factors. As discussed above, Appellants never sought a stay of the Sale Order; accordingly, the last Chateaugay requirement has not been met. In re Metromedia Fiber Network, Inc., 416 F.3d at 145. In addition because the monetary sum Appellants seek is so large any relief ordered by this Court would carry a significant risk of "knock[ing] the props out" from under the sale. In re Granite Broad. Corp., 385 B.R. at 50 (quoting Chateaugay II, 10 F.3d at 952-53). For all these reasons, the consolidated appeals are equitably moot.
For the reasons stated above, the appeals of the MSF Brokers and the Ad Hoc Committee of Brokers are statutorily and equitably moot. Accordingly, the bankruptcy court's order approving the Sale Motion is hereby affirmed. The Clerk of the Court is directed to terminate as moot any outstanding motions and to close these cases (Dkt. Nos. 12 Civ. 3628(PGG), 12 Civ. 3756(PGG)).
SO ORDERED.
Appellants — who chose not to submit any declarations or rebuttal evidence prior to the sale hearing — now contend that they were not given notice that the March 22, 2012 sale hearing would be an evidentiary hearing, and thus were deprived of an opportunity to present evidence at that hearing. (MSF Brokers' Opening Br. (Dkt. No. 17) at 3, 18-22) Assuming arguendo that Appellants had no notice that the sale hearing would be an evidentiary hearing, Judge Glenn told Appellants early in the hearing that — having objected to the proposed sale — "you have the burden of proof. This is an evidentiary hearing.... [I]f you have evidence to offer that overcomes the language in the agreements, ... I'll hear that. If you have evidence that you believe you can introduce, I'll decide" (Bankr. Dkt. No. 839 at 72) There is no evidence that Appellants objected to the court conducting an evidentiary hearing — either at that time or later — nor is there any indication in the materials submitted to this Court that Appellants indicated that they were not prepared to proceed with an evidentiary hearing. To the contrary, Appellants were full participants in the hearing, cross-examining witnesses and presenting oral argument. Id. at 4-5, 71, 87-94. Moreover, Appellants did not indicate to the bankruptcy judge — either at the sale hearing or later — that they had additional evidence that they wished to introduce. Under these circumstances, this Court concludes that Appellants waived any objection to the bankruptcy judge conducting an evidentiary hearing.
