UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA In re: 11 westcliff medical laboratories, Inc. Case NO.: 8:10-bk-16743-TA Debtor(s) and Trustee (if any) will move this court for an Order granting relief from the automatic stay. If you wish to oppose this Motion, you must file a written response to This Motion with the court.
UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA In re: 11 westcliff medical laboratories, Inc. Case NO.: 8:10-bk-16743-TA Debtor(s) and Trustee (if any) will move this court for an Order granting relief from the automatic stay. If you wish to oppose this Motion, you must file a written response to This Motion with the court.
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UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA In re: 11 westcliff medical laboratories, Inc. Case NO.: 8:10-bk-16743-TA Debtor(s) and Trustee (if any) will move this court for an Order granting relief from the automatic stay. If you wish to oppose this Motion, you must file a written response to This Motion with the court.
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Attorney or Party Name, Address, Telephone & FAX Numbers, and California State Bar Number FOR COURT
URT USE ONLY
Jeff D. Kahane (CSB No. 223329) Duane Morris LLP 865 S. Figueroa Street, Suite 3100 Los Angeles, CA 90017-5450 Telephone: (213) 689-7400 Facsimile: (213) 689-7401 Email: JKahane@duanemorris.com o Individual appearing without counsel [8J Attorney for: ACE American Insurance Company, et al. UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA In re: CHAPTER: 11 Westcliff Medical Laboratories, Inc. CASE NO.: 8:10-bk-16743-TA Debtor(s). DATE: September 13, 2011 In re: TIME: 10:30 a.m. BioLabs, Inc. CTRM: 5B Debtor(s). FLOOR: 5 th Floor NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION FOR RELIEF FROM THE AUTOMATIC STAY UNDER 11 U.S.C. 362 (with supporting declarations) (MOVANT: ACE American Insurance Company, et al.) (Personal Property) 1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the Debtor(s) and Trustee (if any)("Responding Parties"), their attorneys (if any), and other interested parties that on the above date and time and in the indicated courtroom, Movant in the above-captioned matter will move this Court for an Order granting relief from the automatic stay as to Debtor(s) and Debtor's(s') bankruptcy estate on the grounds set forth in the attached Motion. 2. Hearing Location: o 255 East Temple Street, Los Angeles 021041 Burbank Boulevard, Woodland Hills o 3420 Twelfth Street, Riverside [8J 411 West Fourth Street, Santa Ana 01415 State Street, Santa Barbara 3. a. [8J This Motion is being heard on REGULAR NOTICE pursuant to Local Bankruptcy Rule 9013-1. If you wish to oppose this Motion, you must file a written response to this Motion with the Bankruptcy Court and serve a copy of it upon the Movant's attorney (or upon Movant, if the Motion was filed by an unrepresented individual) at the address set forth above no less than 14 days before the above hearing and appear at the hearing of this Motion. ' b. 0 This Motion is being heard on SHORTENED TIME. If you wish to oppose this Motion, you must appear at the hearing. Any written response or evidence must be filed and served: o at the hearing 0 at least __ court days before the hearing. (1) 0 A Motion for Order Shortening Time was not required (according to the calendaring procedures of the assigned judge). (2) 0 A Motion for Order Shortening Time was filed per Local Bankruptcy Rule 9075-1 (b) and was granted by the Court. (3) 0 A Motion for Order Shortening Time has been filed and remains pending. Once the Court has ruled on that Motion, you will be served with another notice or an order that will specify the date, time and place of the hearing on the attached Motion and the deadline for filing and serving a written opposition to the Motion. 4. You may contact the Bankruptcy Clerk's Office to obtain a copy of an approved court form for use in preparing your response (Optional Court Form F 4001-1 M.RES), or you may prepare your response using the format required by Local Bankruptcy Rule 9004-1 and the Court Manual (Continued on next page) This forrn is mandatory by Order of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California. December 2009 F 4001-1 M.PP Case 8:10-bk-16743-TA Doc 525 Filed 08/15/11 Entered 08/15/11 14:04:58 Desc Main Document Page 1 of 9 Motion for Relief from Stay (Personal Property) - Page 2 of 9 F 4001-1 M.PP In re (SHORT TITLE) CHAPTER: 11 Westcliff Medical Laboratories, Inc. Debtor(s). CASE NO.: 8:10-bk-16743-TA 5. If you fail to file a written response to the Motion or fail to appear at the hearing, the Court may treat such failure as a waiver of your right to oppose the Motion and may grant the requested relief. Dated: August 15, 2011 DUANE MORRIS LLP Print Law Firm Name (if applicable) Jeff D. Kahane Print Name of Individual Movant or Attorney for Movant Signature of Individual Movant or Attorney for Movant This form is mandatory by Order of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California. December 2009 F 4001-1 M.PP Case 8:10-bk-16743-TA Doc 525 Filed 08/15/11 Entered 08/15/11 14:04:58 Desc Main Document Page 2 of 9 Motion for Relief from Stay (Personal Property) - Page 3 of 9 F 4001-1 M.PP In re (SHORT TITLE) CHAPTER: 11 Westcliff Medical Laboratories, Inc. Debtor(s). CASE NO.: 8:10-bk-16743-TA MOTION FOR RELIEF FROM STAY (MOVANT: ACE AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY) 1. The Property at Issue: Movant moves for relief from the automatic stay with respect to the following personal property (the "Property"): D Vehicle (describe year, manufacturer, type, and model): Vehicle Identification Number: Location of vehicle (if known): D Equipment (describe manufacturer, type, and characteristics): Serial number(s): Location (if known): IZI Other Personal Property (describe type, identifying information, and location): Payment of an arbitration award between ACE American Insurance Company, ACE Property Casualty Insurance Company and the affiliated insurance and reinsurance companies (collectively, "ACE") and Wawanesa General Insurance Company ("Wawanesa") under Debtor's Policy H08049610. 2. Case History: a. IZI A voluntary D An involuntary petition under Chapter D 7 IZI 11 D 12 D 13 was filed on (specify date): 5/19/10 b. D An Order of Conversion to Chapter was entered on (specify date): c. D Plan was confirmed on (specify date): D 7 D 11 D 12 D 13 d. D Other bankruptcy cases affecting this Property have been pending within the past two years. See attached Declaration. 3. Grounds for Relief from Stay: a. IZI Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. 362(d)(1), cause exists to grant Movant the requested relief from stay as follows: (1) D Movant's interest in the Property is not adequately protected. (a) D Movant's interest in the collateral is not protected by an adequate equity cushion. (b) D The fair market value of the Property is declining and payments are not being made to Movant sufficient to protect Movant's interest against that decline. (c) D No proof of insurance re Movant's collateral has been provided to Movant, despite borrower(s)'s obligation to insure the collateral under the terms of Movant's contract with Debtor(s). (d) D Payments have not been made as required by an Adequate Protection Order previously granted in this case. (2) D The bankruptcy case was filed in bad faith to delay, hinder or defraud Movant. (a) D Movant is the only creditor or one of very few creditors listed on the master mailing matrix. (b) D The Property was transferred to Debtor(s) either just before the bankruptcy filing or since the filing. (c) D Non-individual entity was created just prior to bankruptcy filing for the sole purpose of filing bankruptcy. (d) D Other bankruptcy cases have been filed asserting an interest in the same Property. (e) D The Debtor( s) filed what is commonly referred to as a "face sheet" filing of only a few pages consisting of the Petition and a few other documents. No Schedules or Statement of Affairs (or Chapter 13 Plan, if appropriate) has been filed. (Continued on next page) This form is mandatory by Order of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California. December 2009 F 4001-1 M.PP Case 8:10-bk-16743-TA Doc 525 Filed 08/15/11 Entered 08/15/11 14:04:58 Desc Main Document Page 3 of 9 Motion for Relief from Stay (Personal Property) - Page 4 of 9 F 4001-1M.PP In re (SHORT TITLE) CHAPTER: 11 Westcliff Medical Laboratories, Inc. Oebtor(s). CASE NO.: 8:10-bk-16743-TA (3) D (Chapter 12 or 13 cases only) (a) D Postconfirmation plan payments have not been made to the standing trustee. (b) D Postconfirmation payments required by the confirmed plan have not been made to Movant. (4) D The lease has been rejected or deemed rejected by operation of law. (5) [8J For other cause for relief from stay, see attached continuation page. b. D Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. 362(d)(2)(A), Oebtor(s) has/have no equity in the Property; and pursuant to 362(d)(2)(B), the Property is not necessary for an effective reorganization. 4. D Movant also seeks annulment of the stay so that the filing of the bankruptcy petition does not affect postpetition acts, as specified in the attached Oeclaration(s). 5. Evidence in Support of Motion: {Important Note: Declaration(s} in support of the Motion MUST be attached hereto.} a. D Movant submits the attached Oeclaration(s) on the Court's approved forms (if applicable) to provide evidence in support of this,Motion pursuant to Local Bankruptcy Rules. b. [8J Movant submits the attached supplemental Oeclaration(s) under penalty of perjury, to provide additional admissible evidence in support of this Motion. c. D Movant requests that the Court consider as admissions the made by Oebtor(s) under penalty of conceming Movant's claims and the Property set forth in Oebtor's(s') Schedules. Authenticated copies of the relevant portions of the Schedules are attached as Exhibit __ d. D Other evidence (specify): 6. [8J An optional Memorandum of Points and Authorities is attached to this Motion. WHEREFORE, Movant prays that this Court issue an Order terminating or modifying the stay and granting the following (specify forms of relief requested): 1. [8J Relief from the stay allowing Movant (and any successors or assigns) to proceed under applicable non-bankruptcy law to enforce its remedies to repossess and sell the Property. 2. D Annulment of the stay so that the filing of the bankruptcy petition does not affect postpetition acts, as specified in the attached Oeclaration( s). 3. Additional provisions requested: a. [8J That the Order be binding and effective despite any conversion of this bankruptcy case to a case under any other chapter of Title 11 of the United States Code. b. [8J That the 14-day stay prescribed by Bankruptcy Rule 4001 (a)(3) be waived. c. D That Extraordinary Relief be granted as set forth in the Attachment (attach Optional Court Form F 4001-1M.ER). d. D For other relief requested, see attached continuation page. (Continued on next page) This form is mandatory by Order of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California. December 2009 F 4001-1 M.PP Case 8:10-bk-16743-TA Doc 525 Filed 08/15/11 Entered 08/15/11 14:04:58 Desc Main Document Page 4 of 9 Motion for Relief from Stay (Personal Property) - Page 5 of 9 F 40011M.PP In re (SHORT TITLE) CHAPTER: 11 Westcliff Medical Laboratories, Inc. Debtor(s). CASE NO.: 8:10-bk-16743-TA 4. If relief frem stay is not granted, Mo,,'ant respectfully requests the Court to order adequate protection. Dated: August 15, 2011 Respectfully submitted, ACE American Insurance Company and ACE Property & Casualty Insurance Company Movant Name DUANE MORRIS LLP Firm Name of Attorney for Movant (if applicable) By: /s/ Jeff D. Kahane Signature Name: Jeff D. Kahane Typed Name of Individual Movant or Attorney for Movant This form is mandatory by Order of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California. December 2009 F 4001-1M.PP Case 8:10-bk-16743-TA Doc 525 Filed 08/15/11 Entered 08/15/11 14:04:58 Desc Main Document Page 5 of 9 Motion for Relief from Stay (Personal Property) - Page 6 of 9 F 4001-1M.PP In re (SHORT TITLE) CHAPTER: 11 Westcliff Medical Laboratories, Inc. Debtor(s). CASE NO.: 8:10-bk-16743-TA CONTINUATION (This Attachment is the continuation page for page 4 of the Motion for Relief From Stay, Ground for Relief paragraph 3(a)(5).) There is cause to grant this motion. ACE provided auto insurance to the Debtors under policy H0804961 0 (the "Policy") from October 1, 2009 until June 17, 2010. During the Policy period, an accident took place which involved Debtors' employee and Turville, a third party insured by Wawanesa. An inter-company arbitration between ACE and Wawanesa resulted in an arbitration award in the amount of $3,008.03 (the "Award"). Insurance policies are property of the Estate. If coverage for the Award is property of the estate, then ACE cannot satisfy the Award unless it is granted a relief from automatic stay under Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code. Wawanesa and Turville have agreed that upon payment of the Award, they would waive all their claims against the Estate. Cause exists to lift the stay, because if ACE does not pay the Award, then the claimants may have rights against other assets of the Debtors' estate. This form is mandatory by Order of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California. December 2009 F 4001-1 M.PP Case 8:10-bk-16743-TA Doc 525 Filed 08/15/11 Entered 08/15/11 14:04:58 Desc Main Document Page 6 of 9 Motion for Relief from Stay (Personal Property) - Page 7 of 9 F 4001-1M.PP In re (SHORT TITLE) CHAPTER: 11 Westcliff Medical Laboratories, Inc. Debtor(s). CASE NO.: 8:10-bk-16743-TA NOTE: When using this form to indicate service of a proposed order, DO NOT list any person or entity in Category I. Proposed orders do not generate an NEF because only orders that have been entered are placed on a CM/ECF docket. PROOF OF SERVICE OF DOCUMENT I am over the age of 18 and not a party to this bankruptcy case or adversary proceeding. My business address is: 865 S. Figueroa Street, Suite 3100, Los Angeles, CA 90017-5450 A true and correct copy of the foregoing document described as: Notice of and Motion for Relief of Automatic Stay Under 11 U.S.C. 362 (with supporting declarations); Memorandum of Points and Authorities in Support of ACE American Insurance Company's Motion for Relief from Automatic Stay for the Purpose of Payment of Arbitration Award and Declaration of Helen Heifets in Support of Motion for Relief of Automatic Stay for the Purpose of Payment of Arbitration Award __________________________ will be served or was served (a) on the judge in chambers in the form and manner required by LBR 5005-2(d), and (b) in the manner indicated below: I. TO BE SERVED BY THE COURT VIA NOTICE OF ELECTRONIC FILING (nNEFn) - Pursuant to controlling General Order(s) and Local Bankruptcy Rule(s) ("LBR"), the foregoing document will be served by the court via NEF and hyperlinkto the document. On August 15, 2011 I checked the CM/ECF docket for this bankruptcy case or adversary proceeding and determined that the following person(s) are on the Electronic Mail Notice List to receive NEF transmission at the email addressed indicated below: IZI Service information continued on attached page II. SERVED BY U.S. MAIL OR OVERNIGHT MAIL (indicate method for each person or entity served): On August 15, 2011 I served the following person(s) and/or entity(ies) at the last known address(es) in this bankruptcy case or adversary proceeding by placing a true and correct copy thereof in a sealed envelope in the United States Mail, first class, postage prepaid, and/or with an overnight mail service addressed as follow. Listing the judge here constitutes a declaration that mailing to the judge will be completed no later than 24 hours after the document is filed. IZI Service information continued on attached page III. SERVED BY PERSONAL DELIVERY, FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION OR EMAIL (indicate method for each person or entity served): Pursuant to F.R.Civ.P. 5 and/or controlling LBR, onl served the following person(s) and/or entity(ies) by personal delivery, or (for those who consented in writing to such service method) by facsimile transmission and/or email as follows. Listing the judge here constitutes a declaration that mailing to the judge will be completed no later than 24 hours after the document is filed. D Service information continued on attached page I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is true and correct. ~ SIgnature August 15, 2011 Date Greta Clark Type Name This form is mandatory by Order of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California. December 2009 F 4001-1M.PP Case 8:10-bk-16743-TA Doc 525 Filed 08/15/11 Entered 08/15/11 14:04:58 Desc Main Document Page 7 of 9 Motion for Relief from Stay (Personal Property) - Page 8 of 9 F 4001-1 M.PP In re (SHORT TITLE) CHAPTER: 11 Westcliff Medical Laboratories, Inc. Oebtor(s). CASE NO.: 8:10-bk-16743-TA SERVICE LIST Via Court's ECF System Raymond G Alvarado - ralvarado@alvaradosmith.com Todd M Arnold - tma@lnbrb.com Phillip Ashman - mgolod@mcqueenashman.com, pashman@mcqueenashman.com;bkumamoto@mcqueenashman.com Richard L Barnett - rick@barnettrubin.com, rlbsec@barnettrubin.com Ron Bender - rb@lnbrb.com Eric S Bershatski - ericbershatski@tilemlaw.com Ronald K Brown - rkbgwhw@aoLcom Jennifer Witherell Crastz - jcrastz@hemar-rousso.com Carol J Fogleman - mfrost@bwslaw.com Anthony A Friedman - aaf@lnbrb.com John-Ptrick M Fritz - jpf@lnbrb.com Jeffrey K Garfinkle - bkgroup@buchalter.com, jgarfinkle@buchalter.com;jmealey- hatch@buchalter.com;docket@buchalter.com Fredric Glass - fglass@fairharborcapitaLcom Nancy S Goldenberg - nancy.goldenberg@usdoj.gov D Edward HaY$ - ehays@marshackhays.com Michael J Heyman - michaeLheyman@klgates.com Mark D Houle - mark.houle@pillsburylaw.com Jacqueline L James - jlj@lnbyb.com Jeff D Kahane - jkahane@duanemorris.com Andy Kong - Kong.Andy@ArentFox.com Rodger M Landau - rlandau@lgbfirm.com,kmoss@lgbfirm.com Matthew A Lesnick - matt@lesnicklaw.com Michael B Lubic - michaeLlubic@klgates.com Frank F McGinn- ffm@bostonbusinesslaw.com Elissa Miller - emiller@sulmeyerlaw.com, asokolowski@sulmeyerlaw.com Aram Ordubegian - ordubegian.aram@arentfox.com Ernie Zachary Park - ernie.park@bewleylaw.com Richard Park - Richard.Park@usdoj.gov Justin E Rawlins - jrawlins@winston.com, dockeUa@winston.com Benjamin Seigel - bseigel@buchalter.com, IFS_filing@buchalter.com David B Shemano - dshemano@pwkllp.com Philip E Strok - pstrok@wgllp.com United States Trustee (SA) - ustpregion16.sa.ecf@usdoj.gov Howard J Weg - hweg@pwkllp.com Sharon Z Weiss - sharon.weiss@hro.com, rauLmorales@hro.com Joseph M Welch - jwelch@buchalter.com, jmealey-hatch@buchalter.com;docket@buchalter.com Johnny White -seb@blakeleyllp.com; bblakeley@blakeleyllp.com; rclifford@blakeleyllp.com This form is mandatory by Order of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California. December 2009 F 4001-1M.PP Case 8:10-bk-16743-TA Doc 525 Filed 08/15/11 Entered 08/15/11 14:04:58 Desc Main Document Page 8 of 9
Motion for Relief from Stay (Personal Property) - Page 9 of 9 F 4001-1 M.PP In re (SHORT TITLE) CHAPTER: 11 Westcliff Medical Laboratories, Inc. Callahan & Blaine 3 Hutton Centre Dr #900 Santa Ana, CA 92707 Department of Health Care Services Office of Legal Services Attn: Steven A. Oldham, Staff Attorney MS 0010 P.O. Box 997413 Sacramento, CA 95899-7413 Kirkland & Ellis LLP 300 N LaSalle St Chicago, IL 60654 Debtor(s). CASE NO.: 8:10-bk-16743-TA SERVICE LIST (continued) VIA U.S. MAIL City and County of San Francisco Office of the TreasurerlTax Collector Legal Section Attn: Robert L. Fletcher, Jr., P.O. Box B 7426 San Francisco, CA 94120-7426 David W Gee Garvey Schubert Barer 1191 Second Ave 18th FI Seattle, WA 98101-2939 Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector Hall of Administration 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd. Santa Ana, CA 92701 Debt Acquisition Company of America V, LLC 1565 Hotel Circle South, Suite 310 San Diego, CA 92108 Recy Hernandez 27615 Glasser Ave Canyon Country, CA 91351 Riverside Claims Post Office Box 626 Planetarium Station New York, NY 10024-0540 This form is mandatory by Order of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California. December 2009 F 4001-1 M.PP Case 8:10-bk-16743-TA Doc 525 Filed 08/15/11 Entered 08/15/11 14:04:58 Desc Main Document Page 9 of 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN SUPPORT OF ACES MOTION FOR RELIEF FROM THE AUTOMATIC STAY DM3\1867486.1 1 JEFF D. KAHANE (SBN 223329) DUANE MORRIS LLP 865 S. Figueroa Street Suite 3100 Los Angeles, CA 90017-5450 Telephone: (213) 689-7400 Facsimile: (213) 689-7401 E-mail: jkahane@duanemorris.com
Attorneys for ACE American Insurance Company, ACE Property & Casualty Insurance Company, and the affiliated insurers and reinsurers
UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA SANTA ANA DIVISION In re: WESTCLIFF MEDICAL LABORATORIES, INC., Debtor. Case No.: 8:10-bk-16743-TA Chapter 11 (Jointly Administered with Case No. 8:10-bk-16746)
In re: BIOLABS, INC., Debtor. MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN SUPPORT OF ACE AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANYS MOTION FOR RELIEF FROM THE AUTOMATIC STAY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYMENT OF ARBITRATION AWARD
Case 8:10-bk-16743-TA Doc 525-1 Filed 08/15/11 Entered 08/15/11 14:04:58 Desc Memorandum in Support of Motion for Relief from Automatic Stay Page 1 of 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN SUPPORT OF ACES MOTION FOR RELIEF FROM THE AUTOMATIC STAY DM3\1867486.1 2 ACE American Insurance Company, ACE Property and Casualty Insurance Company and the affiliated insurance and reinsurance companies (collectively, ACE), hereby move for relief from the automatic stay for the purpose of payment of an arbitration award to Wawanesa General Insurance Company (Wawanesa) and respectfully state as follows: INTRODUCTION The Court should find there is cause to grant this motion because ACE seeks relief from the stay to pay claims that might otherwise have to be satisfied from assets of the estate. ACE provided auto insurance to the Westcliff Medical Laboratories (Westcliff) under policy H08049610 (Policy) from October 1, 2009, until June 17, 2010. (Declaration of Helen Heifets in Support of Motion for Relief from The Automatic Stay for the Purpose of Payment of Arbitration Award (Heifets Dec.), filed contemporaneously herewith, 2.) During the period when the Policy was in effect, an accident took place which involved Miguel Reza, then an employee of Westcliff insured under the Policy, and Turville, a third party insured by Wawanesa. (Id., 3.) In September 2010, Wawanesa and Turville (Claimants) submitted claims against the Policy to ACE for losses that allegedly occurred before June 17, 2010. (Id., 4.) An inter-company arbitration between ACE and Wawanesa resulted in an arbitration award in the amount of $3,008.03 in favor of Wawanesa (Award). (Id., 5.) Attached to the Heifets Dec. is a stipulation agreed by ACE, Wawanesa and Turville (Stipulation). (Id.) In the Stipulation, the Claimants agreed to waive their claims against the estate upon payment of the Award. (Id.) Thus, payment of the Award by ACE is in the best interest of the estate because it preserves the assets of the estate. Insurance policies are property of the estate. Although cancellation of the Policy was approved by the Court on January 3, 2011, see Order Granting Stipulation Resolving Relief From Stay Motion was signed and entered (Docket No. 342), the claims were made before the Policys cancellation. (Heifets Dec., 4). If the insurance coverage for payment of the Award involves property of the estate, then ACE cannot pay the Award unless it is granted relief from the automatic stay. Case 8:10-bk-16743-TA Doc 525-1 Filed 08/15/11 Entered 08/15/11 14:04:58 Desc Memorandum in Support of Motion for Relief from Automatic Stay Page 2 of 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN SUPPORT OF ACES MOTION FOR RELIEF FROM THE AUTOMATIC STAY DM3\1867486.1 3 For these reasons, ACE requests that this Court grant relief from the stay to ACE, pursuant to 11 U.S.C. 362(d), so that ACE can pay the Award. However, should the Court find that the insurance coverage for payment of the Award is no longer property of the estate, then, in the alternative, ACE respectfully requests that the Court find that ACEs payment of Award is not barred by the stay. JURISDICTION AND VENUE This Court has jurisdiction over this Motion pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 157 and 1334. This is a core proceeding within the meaning of 28 U.S.C. 157(b)(2)(A) & 157(b)(2)(O). Jurisdiction is appropriate in this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1408 and 1409. ARGUMENT The Court should grant this motion because there is cause for relief from the automatic stay. The filing of the bankruptcy case stays all acts to exercise control over property of the estate. 11 U.S.C. 362(a); Gruntz v. County of Los Angeles (In re Gruntz), 202 F.3d 1074, 1081-82 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc). Insurance policies are property of the Debtors estate. In re Minoco Group of Cos., 799 F.2d 517, 519 (9th Cir. 1986). Although the ACE Policy has been cancelled, the payment of the Award by ACE would confer a benefit upon the estate by paying claims that would otherwise be entitled to estate assets. Relief from the stay may be granted for cause shown. 11 U.S.C. 362(d)(1). The word cause is not defined in the Bankruptcy Code. Scripps GSB I, LLC v. A Partners, LLC (In re A Partners, LLC), 344 B.R. 114, 127 (Bankr. E.D. Cal. 2006). However, [t]he term cause as used in 362(d)(1) is a broad and flexible concept which permits a bankruptcy court, as a court of equity, to respond to inherently fact-sensitive situations. In re Indian River Estates, Inc., 293 B.R. 429, 433 (Bankr. N.D. Ohio 2003) (citing In re Texas State Optical, Inc., 188 B.R. 552, 556 (Bankr. E.D. Tex. 1995)). Hence, a decision to lift the automatic stay for cause is within the Courts discretion. In re Delaney-Morin, 304 B.R. 365, 369-70 (9th Cir. BAP 2003); In re Leisure Corp., 234 B.R. 916, 920 (9th Cir. BAP 1999); Mataya v. Kissinger (In re Kissinger), 72 F.3d 107, 108-109 (9th Cir. 1995). Case 8:10-bk-16743-TA Doc 525-1 Filed 08/15/11 Entered 08/15/11 14:04:58 Desc Memorandum in Support of Motion for Relief from Automatic Stay Page 3 of 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN SUPPORT OF ACES MOTION FOR RELIEF FROM THE AUTOMATIC STAY DM3\1867486.1 4 Should the coverage for the payment of the Award be property of the estate, there is cause to grant relief from the stay because without such relief, ACE cannot pay the Award, and the claimants would be entitled to relief from the Debtors estate. However, if the coverage for the Claim is not property of the estate because the ACE Policy was cancelled, then in the alternative, ACE respectfully requests that the Court find that the stay does not bar ACE from paying the Award. RESERVATION OF RIGHTS ACE expressly reserves and does not waive any and all of its rights, defenses, limitations and/or exclusions under the Policy and applicable law. ACE further reserves all rights to assert any and all such rights, defenses, limitations and/or exclusions in any appropriate manner or forum whatsoever (including without limitation arbitration, the United States District Courts or any state court). Nothing contained in this Memorandum or the Motion shall be construed as an acknowledgment the Policy, or any other insurance policy issued by ACE to Westcliff covers or otherwise applied to any claims, losses, or damages on account of any claims or causes of action, other than the claim that gave rise to the Award, are eligible for payment. ACE reserves all of its rights to object to any claim for coverage under any of the ACE policies issued to the Debtors and/or any claims for coverage under any settlement agreements, other than the claim that gave rise to the Award. ACE expressly reserves and does not waive any of its rights, defenses, limitations and/or exclusions under the policies issued by ACE to the Debtor, including but not limited to the Policy, and the applicable law. ACE further reserves all rights to assert any and all such rights, defenses, limitations and/or exclusions in any appropriate manner or forum whatsoever (including without limitations arbitration, United States District Court, or any State Court). CONCLUSION WHEREFORE, ACE respectfully requests that this Court enter an Order granting relief from the automatic stay for the purpose of allowing ACE to satisfy the Award by paying to Wawanesa an Case 8:10-bk-16743-TA Doc 525-1 Filed 08/15/11 Entered 08/15/11 14:04:58 Desc Memorandum in Support of Motion for Relief from Automatic Stay Page 4 of 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN SUPPORT OF ACES MOTION FOR RELIEF FROM THE AUTOMATIC STAY DM3\1867486.1 5 amount of $3,008.03, or, in the alternative, finding that ACEs payment of the Award is not barred by the automatic stay.
Dated: August 15, 2011 Respectfully submitted,
DUANE MORRIS LLP
By: /s/ Jeff D. Kahane Jeff D. Kahane
Attorneys for ACE American Insurance Company, ACE Property & Casualty Insurance Company, and the affiliated insurers and reinsurers
Of Counsel
BAZELON LESS & FELDMAN, PC Helen Heifets, Esq. 1515 Market Street, Suite 700 Philadelphia, PA 19102 (215) 568-1155 Case 8:10-bk-16743-TA Doc 525-1 Filed 08/15/11 Entered 08/15/11 14:04:58 Desc Memorandum in Support of Motion for Relief from Automatic Stay Page 5 of 5 1 JEFF D. KAHANE (SBN 223329) DUANE MORRIS LLP 2 865 S. Figueroa Street, Suite 3100 Los Angeles, CA 90017-5450 3 Telephone: (213) 689-7400 Facsimile: (213) 689-7401 4 E-mail: jkahane@duanemorris.com 5 Attorneys for A CE American Insurance Company, ACE Property & Casualty Insurance Company, and the 6 affiliated insurers and reinsurers 7 8 9 10 UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA SANT A ANA DIVISION 11 In re: Case No.: 8:10-bk-16743-TA 12 WESTCLIFF MEDICAL LABORATORIES, Chapter 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 INC., , Debtor.' I I - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ - - - - - - - - - - ~ In re: BIOLABS, INC., Debtor. (Jointly Administered with Case No. 8:10-bk-16746) DECLARATION OF HELEN HEIFETS IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR RELIEF FROM THE AUTOMATIC STAY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYMENT OF ARBITRATION AWARD DECLARATION OF IN SUPPORT OF ACE'S MOTION FOR RELIEF FROM THE AUTOMATIC STAY DM3\J8677J3.2 1 Case 8:10-bk-16743-TA Doc 525-2 Filed 08/15/11 Entered 08/15/11 14:04:58 Desc Heifets Declaration Page 1 of 2 1 I, Helen Heifets, declare as follows: 2 1. I am a shareholder at Bazelon Less & Feldman, P.C., a law firm located 1515 Market 3 Street, Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA 19102. I represent ACE American Insurance Company, ACE 4 Property & Casualty Insurance Company, and the affiliated insurers and reinsurers ("ACE"). I have 5 personal knowledge of the facts set forth herein, which were gained through that representation and 6 through my review of ACE's books and records in the course of that representation. If called as a 7 witness, I could and would competently testify to all facts set forth herein. 8 2. ACE provided auto insurance to the Debtors under policy H08049610 (the "Policy") 9 from October 1,2009, until June 17,2010. 10 3. During the period when the Policy was in effect, an accident took place which 11 involved Miguel Reza, then an employee of Westcliff insured under the Policy, and Turville, a third 12 party insured by Wawanesa. 13 4. In connection with the accident, there was an inter-company arbitration between ACE 14 and Wawanesa. The arbitration resulted in an arbitration award in the amount of $3,008.03 in favor 15 of Wawanesa (hereinafter, the "Award"). Attached hereto Exhibit A is true and correct copy of a , 16 stipulation agreed by ACE, Wawanesa and Turville ("Stipulation"). In the Stipulation, Wawanesa 17 and Turville agreed that upon payment of the Award, they would waive all their claims against the 18 estate. 19 5. On December 10, 2010, ACE filed a Motion for Relief From Automatic Stay for the 20 Purpose of Retroactive Cancellation of Insurance Policies (Docket No. 323). A Stipulation and 21 Order Resolving Relief From Stay was signed by the parties and filed on December 21, 2010 22 (Docket No. 334). On January 3, 2011, the Order Granting Stipulation Resolving Relief From Stay 23 Motion was signed and entered (Docket No. 342). 24 I declare tinder penalty of perjury under the law of the United States of America that the 25 foregoing is true and correct. 26 Dated: Augustff, 2011 27 28 By: Helen Heifets DECLARATION OF IN SUPPORT OF ACE'S MOTION FOR RELIEF FROM THE AUTOMATIC STAY DM3\1867713.2 2 Case 8:10-bk-16743-TA Doc 525-2 Filed 08/15/11 Entered 08/15/11 14:04:58 Desc Heifets Declaration Page 2 of 2 EXHIBIT A Case 8:10-bk-16743-TA Doc 525-3 Filed 08/15/11 Entered 08/15/11 14:04:58 Desc Exhibit A to Heifets Declaration Page 1 of 4 1 Ron Bender (SBN 143364) Jacqueline L. Rodriguez (SBN 198838) 2 Todd M. Arnold (SBN 2218680 John-Patrick M. Fritz 9SBN 245240) 3 Levene, Neale, Bender, Yoo & Brill L.L.P. 10250 Constellation Boulevard, Suite 1700 4 Los Angeles, California 90067 Telephone (310) 229-1234; Facsimile; (310) 229-1244 5 Email: rb@lnbyb.com;jlr@lnbrb.com;tma@lnbyb.com; jpf@lnbyb.com 6 Attorneys for Chapter 11 Debtors and Debtors in Possession 7 UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 8 SANTA ANA DIVISION 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Inre: WESTCLIFF MEDICAL LABORATORIES, INC., Debtor. ) Lead Case No. 8:10-bk-16743-TA ) (Jointly Administered with ) Case No. 8:10-bk-16746-TA) ) ) -------------------------) In re: BIOLABS, INC. Debtors. ) ) ) ) ------------) I&J Affects All Debtors o Affects Westcliff Medical Laboratories, Inc. only ) ) ) ) ) o Affects Biolabs, Inc. only ) 1+-----------------------) Chapter 11 STIPULATION FOR RELIEF FROM THE AUTOMATIC STAY REGARDING mSURANCECOVERAGE Westcliff Medical Laboratories, Inc. ("Westcliff') and Biolabs, Inc. ("Biolabs" and, together with Westcliff, the "Debtors"), ACE American Insurance Company, ACE Property and Casualty Insurance Company, andlor possibly other affiliated members of the ACE group of companies (collectively "ACE"), Wawanesa General Insurance Company ("Wawanesa") and Charles Turville ("Turville") hereby enter into this stipUlation (the "Stipulation") based on the following recitals of fact: RECITALS A. On May 19, 2010, Westclifffiled a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 1 EXHIBIT, ........... A. .......... Case 8:10-bk-16743-TA Doc 525-3 Filed 08/15/11 Entered 08/15/11 14:04:58 Desc Exhibit A to Heifets Declaration Page 2 of 4 1 of Title 11, United States Code (the "Bankruptcy Code"). No trustee has been appointed, and 2 Westcliff continues to manage its financial affairs as debtor in possession pursuant to Sections 3 1107 and 1108 of the Bankruptcy Code. 4 B. ACE provided auto insurance to Westcliffunder policy H08049610 (the "Policy") 5 from October 1,2009 until June 17,2010, at 12:01 a.m. 6 C. During the period when the Policy was in effect, an accident (the "Accident") 7 took place which involved Miguel Reza, then an employee of Westcliff insured under the Policy, 8 and Turville, a third party insured by Wawanesa. 9 D. An inter-company arbitration between ACE and Wawanesa resulted in an 10 arbitration award in the amount of $3,008.03 in favor ofWawanesa (hereinafter, the "Award"). 11 E. The Policy is the property of the Estate. Therefore, ACE advised Westcliff and 12 Wawanesa that ACE cannot satisfy the Award unless it is granted a relief from automatic stay 13 (the "Stay") under Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code. 14 F. Payment of the Award by ACE is in the best interests of the Estate since it 15 preserves the assets of the Estate. 16 BASED UPON THE FOREGOING, IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED, CONSENTED 17 AND AGREED BY AND BETWEEN THE PARTIES HERETO AS FOLLOWS: 18 STIPULATION 19 WHEREFORE, based on the foregoing recitals of fact, the parties hereto hereby 20 stipulate as follows: 21 22 1. 2. The Stay shall be lifted to allow ACE to satisfy the Award. Wawanesa and Turville shall be deemed to have waived all claims against the 23 Debtors and any right to receive any distributions or payments from the Debtors or their 24 bankruptcy estates. 25 3. Nothing in this Stipulation shall be construed as an acknowledgment that the 26 Policy, or any other insurance policy issued by ACE to the Debtors, covers or otherwise applies 27 to any claims, losses, or damages on account of any claims or otherwise, other than the claim that 28 gave rise to the Award, of that any such claims or causes of action, other than the claim that gave 2 EXHIBIT A WG Case 8:10-bk-16743-TA Doc 525-3 Filed 08/15/11 Entered 08/15/11 14:04:58 Desc Exhibit A to Heifets Declaration Page 3 of 4 1 rise to the Award, are eligible for payment. ACE reserves all of its rights to object to any claim 2 for coverage under any of the ACE policies issued to the Debtors andlor any claims for coverage 3 under any settlement agreements, other than the claim that gave rise to the Award. 4 4. ACE expressly reserves and does not waive any of its rights, defenses, limitations 5 andlor exclusions under the policies issued by ACE to the Debtor, including but not limited to 6 the Policy, and the applicable law. ACE further reserves all rights to assert any and all such 7 rights, defenses, limitations andlor exclusions in any appropriate manner or forum whatsoever 8 (including without limitation arbitration, United States District Court, or any State Court). 9 5. Nothing in this Stipulation shall be construed as a waiver of any claims the 10 Debtors may have against ACE or any defenses to such claims. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 6. This Stipulation may be executed in counterparts, originals, facsimiles or e-mail, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. . SO STIPULATED. Dated: June _, 2011 LEVENE,NEALE,BENDER,YOO & BRILL L.L.P. By:, __________________ --____ __ RON BENDER TODD M. ARNOLD Attorneys for Chapter 11 Debtors and Debtors in Possession Dated: June _, 2011 BAZELON LESS & FELDMAN, P.C. //
HELEN HEIFETS Attorneys for ACE American Insurance Company, ACE Property and Casualty Insurance Company, andlor possibly other affiliated members of the ACE group of companies 3 By: t'WAWANESA 'NSURAN E '010 FRIARS ROAD ,$AN oaEGO .. CA 92108:) .66
Wawanesa"cr'erieral Insurance Company Dated: JunepO, 2011
HARLES TURVILLE EXHIBit A Case 8:10-bk-16743-TA Doc 525-3 Filed 08/15/11 Entered 08/15/11 14:04:58 Desc Exhibit A to Heifets Declaration Page 4 of 4