VINCENT L. BRICCETTI, District Judge.
In this action, appellant Stephen P. Lynch appeals from a July 5, 2016, Order of the Bankruptcy Court (Hon. Robert D. Drain, Judge) denying Lynch's motion to intervene to answer the bankruptcy petition on behalf of the debtor. (Case No. 16-22321, Doc. #43).
Before the Court is Lynch's motion to stay his appeal or extend his time to file appellant's brief. (Doc. #4),
For the following reasons, Lynch's motion for a stay is GRANTED. The Court has subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 158(a).
Lynch and appellees Mascini Holdings Limited ("Mascini") and Lapidem Limited ("Lapidem") are the sole shareholders of debtor Kirwan Offices S.a.R.L. ("Kirwan"), a Luxembourg corporation. Mascini and Lapidem are the only Class A and B shareholders; Lynch is the only Class C shareholder.
Kirwan's only asset is an "ownership interest in a subsidiary that is prosecuting litigation against unrelated third parties in which it is seeking to recover assets worth nearly $1 billion." (Lynch Br. at 2). Mascini and Lapidem have sought to settle that litigation, but are unable to do so because Lynch's consent is needed, and he has refused to provide it.
On March 15, 2016. Mascini and Lapidem filed an involuntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition against Kirwan. On April 6, 2016, Lynch filed a Motion for Intervention and Dismissal, Abstention, or Stay ("Motion to Intervene or for Dismissal"), in which he sought six different forms of relief. Of relevance here, Lynch requested permission to intervene in the bankruptcy proceeding on behalf of Kirwan, and sought dismissal of the bankruptcy petition pursuant to Section 1112 of the Bankruptcy Code.
On July 5, 2016, the Bankruptcy Court entered an "Order (I) for Relief Under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code and (II) Denying, in Part, Stephen P. Lynch's Motion for Intervention and Dismissal, Abstention or Stay" ("Order for Relief). (Doc. #43). The Order for Relief denied Lynch's motion to intervene, but reserved decision on other issues, including his Section 1112 dismissal motion, which continue to be litigated in the bankruptcy proceedings.
On August 9, 2016, Lynch appealed the Order for Relief to this Court. The same day, he moved to stay his appeal.
In deciding whether to grant a stay, courts in this circuit consider five factors:
Applying these factors, the Court concludes a stay is warranted in this case. The first factor articulated in
With respect to the second factor, appellees argue a stay will delay the bankruptcy proceedings and the ultimate resolution of the dispute, which will prejudice them. The Court finds this argument unpersuasive because, contrary to what appellees suggest, it is unlikely this appeal would be resolved before the Bankruptcy Court resolves the remainder of the issues raised in Lynch's Motion to Intervene or for Dismissal. This is all the more certain now, as the Court notes on November 21, 2016, the parties entered into a stipulation in the bankruptcy case that governs the briefing schedule for the remainder of Lynch's motion, and according to which the motion will be fully briefed by January 20, 2017. (Doc. #60).
Third, judicial economy will be served by a stay. As Lynch points out, if the Bankruptcy Court grants Lynch's Section 1112 dismissal motion, that decision would moot this appeal. In addition, it will be more efficient for the Court to consider a single appeal of all of the rulings made on Lynch's Motion to Intervene or for Dismissal than to consider some now and others later, in a piecemeal fashion.
With respect to the fourth and fifth factors, neither Lynch nor appellees identify any third parties or compelling public interests that would be affected one way or the other by a stay.
Finally, appellees express concern about the "indefinite duration" of the stay. (Opp. at 7). However, Lynch states he seeks a stay only until the Bankruptcy Court decides the remainder of the issues raised in his Motion to Intervene or for Dismissal. (
Accordingly, appellant's motion for a stay of the instant bankruptcy appeal pending resolution of the remainder of the issues raised in Lynch's Motion to Intervene or for Dismissal is GRANTED.
By February 1, 2016, and every thirty days thereafter, the parties shall submit a joint letter regarding the status of the bankruptcy proceeding, and specifically stating whether the remaining issues raised in Lynch's Motion to Intervene or for Dismissal have been resolved. In addition, the parties shall inform the Court within one week of the Bankruptcy Court's determination of the remainder of the issues raised in Lynch's Motion to Intervene or for Dismissal currently pending before the Bankruptcy Court, and propose a briefing schedule for this appeal.
The Clerk is directed to terminate the motion (Doc. #4) and stay this case.