The Nuts & Bolts of a First Day Hearing

Webinar Overview

Despite its name, the ‘first-day hearing’ in a Chapter 11 case is not always (or usually) on the same day the case is filed, though it usually happens (and must happen) in the first few days. A lot tends to happen at a first-day hearing despite the fact that many parties in interest in the case have little-to-no real notice of the case.

In a larger case, first-day motions can take months and hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees to prepare. This webinar explains what is contained in these motions, why they are necessary, what common objections to them are, and their impact generally on the rest of the case.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the purpose and timing of a first-day hearing:
  • Learn why first-day hearings are critical to the initial stages of a Chapter 11 case
  • Clarify the typical timing of first-day hearings and their urgency in bankruptcy proceedings
• Explore the components of first-day motions:
  • Identify the types of motions commonly filed at a first-day hearing (e.g., cash management, employee wage orders, utilities)
  • Understand the importance of each motion in maintaining business operations during the early stages of the case
• Analyze the preparation involved in first-day motions:
  • Examine the extensive planning and legal work required to draft first-day motions, especially in larger cases
  • Understand the resources and costs typically associated with preparing these motions
• Learn about common objections to first-day motions:
  • Explore the arguments and concerns frequently raised by creditors and other interested parties
  • Understand how courts address and resolve these objections
• Evaluate the broader impact of first-day hearings:
  • Recognize how decisions made during first-day hearings influence the trajectory of the bankruptcy case
  • Understand the role of first-day orders in stabilizing the debtor’s operations and protecting creditors’ interests
• Gain practical insights into the dynamics of first-day hearings:
  • Learn about the procedural and strategic considerations for parties involved in first-day hearings
  • Analyze the challenges faced by stakeholders with limited notice or time to prepare

Other Webinars in this Series

• The Nuts & Bolts of DIP Financing (Premiered on March 26, 2025)
• The Nuts & Bolts of a Lift Stay Motion (Premiered on February 26, 2025)
• The Nuts & Bolts of a Chapter 11 Plan (Premiered on January 29, 2025)