To the Extent That...

Bad Boys of Bankruptcy: S3E3: The Law Firm That Wasn’t: The Synergy Law Scheme

In this gripping episode of Bad Boys of Bankruptcy, Judge Elizabeth Gunn is joined by Mark Albert, longtime chapter 7 and subchapter V trustee, and Bill Steinwedell, Deputy Advocacy Director for Homeownership Preservation at Maryland Legal Aid. Together, they unravel the story of Synergy Law, a supposed national law firm that preyed on vulnerable homeowners by promising foreclosure relief and bankruptcy help, while delivering none of it. The discussion tracks how Synergy's “business model” lured clients through misleading marketing, skimmed thousands in automatic credit card payments, and left desperate individuals, like Bill’s client Mr. McCarty, facing foreclosure after multiple failed pro se bankruptcies. Bill and Mark explain how they each came to expose the fraud, Bill through aggressive legal aid advocacy, and Mark through his work as chapter 7 trustee after Synergy’s collapse. This episode dives into how Synergy operated across numerous states for years. It also sheds light on how the bankruptcy system, legal aid, and the U.S. Trustee Program ultimately worked together to shut it down. A cautionary tale for lawyers, trustees, and consumers alike, this episode reminds us why bankruptcy oversight matters, and what can happen when bad actors try to use the courts to fuel a fraud.

VC Law: Episode 43: Founder Breakups with Ed Zimmerman of Lowenstein Sandler

Host Gary J. Ross talks with Ed Zimmerman, chair of the Emerging Companies & Venture Capital group at Lowenstein Sandler LLP, about founder breakups. Gary and Ed discuss common causes of founder fallouts, and various options to handle the departing founder’s equity. Ed reveals what he believes is the most important thing in a separation agreement. Ed also tells Gary a couple of war stories. Ed ends by giving some advice to legal counsel steering companies through founder breakups.

No Such Thing as Boilerplate?: Episode 2: Choice of Forum

In this episode, Stuart Riback interviews John Coyle, UNC Law School, on the reasons to have a choice of forum clause; how the wording of clause will determine its scope; any restrictions on applicability of applicability of the clause; permissive versus mandatory forum selection; application of forum selection clauses to non-parties; and issues regarding constitutionality of non-party application.

Business Bankruptcy Basics: Episode 2: Key Players in Bankruptcy

In this episode we introduce the key players in bankruptcy proceedings. Host Ella Vincent and guests Aditi Paranjpye and Laurie Thornton of DBS Law walk you through debtors, creditors, committees, and the U.S. Trustee. We clarify the often-confused distinction between the U.S. Trustee and U.S. Attorney, and explore how case trustees' roles vary between Chapter 7 liquidations and Subchapter V small business cases. Throughout, we explain fiduciary duties and why they matter. This episode is perfect for law students and attorneys seeking to build their bankruptcy knowledge from the ground up! The content of the "Business Bankruptcy Basics" podcast, including any statements made by its hosts or guests, is provided for educational purposes only. This podcast is not intended to be, nor should it be relied upon as, legal advice. Listening to this podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not reflect the positions or opinions of their employers or any organizations with which they may be affiliated. For legal guidance, please consult a qualified attorney.

Bad Boys of Bankruptcy: S3E2: The Reality TV Star and the Hidden Closet Full of Diamonds

In this episode of Bad Boys of Bankruptcy, Judge Elizabeth Gunn is joined by Texas-based attorney Amber Carson to dive into the outrageous Chapter 7 saga of Darcy LaPier, a former model and reality TV personality best known for marrying a string of wealthy men, including Jean-Claude Van Damme and the founder of Hawaiian Tropic, and appearing on A&E’s Rodeo Girls. What began as a routine trustee representation turned into a high-stakes hunt for hidden assets and stunning fraud. Amber walks us through the investigation that exposed LaPier’s elaborate attempts to shield millions in luxury assets from creditors. The showstopper was a tip received about a hidden closet in her primary bedroom. This led to a covert, sealed operation with U.S. Marshals, ending in the dramatic recovery of jewelry she claimed didn't exist. The episode covers the legal maneuvers used to uncover and seize assets, the extravagant lifestyle that undercut LaPier’s “no asset” bankruptcy case, and the litigation that ultimately denied LaPier a bankruptcy discharge. It’s a tale of privilege, deception, and the extraordinary lengths trustee’s counsel must go to when fiction overtakes fact in bankruptcy court.