Overview
Law360 covered Steptoe's success for the United Mine Workers of America 1992 Benefit Plan in an article titled "Consol Can't Appeal Retirees' Bankruptcy Deal, 6th Circ. Says." On February 1, the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel of the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled that CONSOL Energy, Inc. doesn't have standing to appeal a bankruptcy court's approval of a settlement between the defunct Murray Energy Holdings Co. and the UMWA 1992 Benefit Plan. The UMWA Benefit Plan retirees may now continue to seek to hold CONSOL liable, in separate litigation, for contributing to their health and retiree benefits under the Coal Act. In 2013, a CONSOL affiliate sold its mining operations to coal operator Murray Energy Holdings, which assumed its responsibilities for paying benefits to its workers.
The Steptoe appellate and insolvency teams representing the UMWA 1992 Benefit Plan were led by partners Fil Agusti and Michael Vatis with associate Johanna Dennehy.
The full article can be read at Law360 (subscription required).