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Bankruptcy in America, in stark contrast to its status in most other countries, typically signifies not a debtor's last gasp but an opportunity to catch one's breath and recoup. Why has the nation's legal system evolved to allow both corporate and individual debtors greater control over their fate than imaginable elsewhere? Masterfully probing the political dynamics behind this question, David Skeel here provides the first complete account of the remarkable journey American bankruptcy law has taken from its beginnings in 1800, when Congress lifted the country's first bankruptcy code right out of English law, to the present day. Skeel shows that the confluence of three forces that emerged over many years--an organized creditor lobby, pro-debtor ideological currents, and an increasingly powerful bankruptcy bar--explains the distinctive contours of American bankruptcy law. Their interplay, he argues in clear, inviting prose, has seen efforts to legislate bankruptcy become a compelling battle royale between bankers and lawyers--one in which the bankers recently seem to have gained the upper hand. Skeel demonstrates, for example, that a fiercely divided bankruptcy commission and the 1994 Republican takeover of Congress have yielded the recent, ideologically charged battles over consumer bankruptcy. The uniqueness of American bankruptcy has often been noted, but it has never been explained. As different as twenty-first century America is from the horse-and-buggy era origins of our bankruptcy laws, Skeel shows that the same political factors continue to shape our unique response to financial distress.

As part of the In Focus Casebook Series, Business Bankruptcy Law In Focus, offers a comprehensive, practice-oriented approach to the legal and practical aspects of business bankruptcy. By providing real world scenarios throughout, the text gives students numerous opportunities to apply what they are learning, and solidify their understanding of important concepts. Clear explanatory text, case previews and case follow ups further clarify the doctrine and aid in student understanding of concepts. With its focus on business bankruptcy, this text begins by reviewing the basics of business entities and debt along with essential business bankruptcy concepts, then moves onto covering powers of debtor in possession, drafting and confirming a plan of reorganization, evolving forms of business bankruptcy (e.g. liquidation of assets, prepackaged and pre-negotiated, structured dismissals, etc.). It then introduces cross-border insolvencies under Chapter 15 of the Code, bankruptcy jurisdiction, including core and noncore proceedings following the Supreme Court decision in Stern v. Marshall. Features: Fresh approach that uses selected cases to illustrate key developments in the law and to show how courts develop and apply doctrine Approachable manner and assessment features provide an experiential environment for students Hands-on approach encourages students to apply concepts to real-world scenarios, offer many opportunities for students to apply their knowledge Assessment features include: Real Life Applications Applying the Concepts Case Previews and Post Case Follow Ups The purchase of this Kindle edition does not entitle you to receive 1-year FREE digital access to the corresponding Examples & Explanations in your course area. In order to receive access to the hypothetical questions complemented by detailed explanations found in the Examples & Explanations, you will need to purchase a new print casebook.