Category Archives: Case Updates

Late Filed Claims

At a hearing on December 9, 2021, the bankruptcy court allowed several survivor claims filed after the proof of claim deadline, but prior to the New York Child Victims Act deadline of August 14, 2021. Both the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors and the Diocese of Syracuse supported the allowance of these claims. While the bankruptcy court allowed these claims, survivors who have not yet filed a claim should not necessarily expect that the bankruptcy court will do so in the future. That said, the Committee’s perspective is that all survivors should file a claim, even if they have not done so yet. More information regarding filing a proof of claim can be found on the FAQ page.

Employment of Burns Bowen Bair

On September 7, 2021, the bankruptcy court granted the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors’ (the “Committee”) application to employ Burns Bowen Bair LLP as the Committee’s special insurance counsel. The Committee sought to employ Burns Bowen Bair LLP to provide insurance litigation services in the insurance coverage adversary proceeding.

Employment of Cushman Wakefield

On June 24, 2021, the bankruptcy court granted the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors’ (the “Committee”) application to employ Cushman Wakefield as the Committee’s real estate appraiser. The Committee sought to employ Cushman Wakefield to assist with valuing real property held by the Diocese of Syracuse that may be available to fund a settlement to pay the claims of sexual abuse survivors.

Mediation

On May 5, 2021, the bankruptcy court issued an order in the insurance coverage adversary proceeding directing the parties to mediation. The mediation includes the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors’ (the “Committee”). To provide a platform for the parties to negotiate, all information related to settlement discussions at mediation is confidential.