Minnesota hog farms say they were fleeced by Windom pork plant’s bankruptcy

The HyLife pork plant in Windom, Minn., owes money to an increasingly long list of creditors that now includes hog farmers, according to bankruptcy filings.

On May 12, attorneys for farmer Greg Strobel filed a court document in Delaware testifying that his farm transferred hogs to HyLife Foods in Windom the same day the pork slaughterhouse filed for bankruptcy.

More of his hogs were delivered into HyLife’s possession the next day, April 28. The Pemberton, Minn., farmer, and many others like him, have yet to be paid for those deliveries as the list of HyLife’s creditors grows in bankruptcy court.

HyLife owes Strobel more than $950,000, his attorneys said in a court filing, “Strobel Farms operated under the Agreement and delivered [hogs] to [HyLife] on April 27 and 28.”

The fallout from HyLife Windom’s sudden demise — including a shortfall in the local school’s funding, an unfinished housing project and the city’s wastewater treatment upgrades — continues to ripple throughout the region.

More than 1,000 workers will likely be laid off at the start of June, and bankers, contractors and electricians who are owed money are filing petitions in the pork processor’s bankruptcy case, seeking to claw back what

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May 27, 2023 by ATTORNEY

Modern Vascular files for bankruptcy following Republic investigation

Modern Vascular files for bankruptcy following Republic investigation

Every morning Charles Raymond realizes how much he lost.

He prioritizes God, family and work. He’s 66, he was successful in business, and he has supported eight kids. 

He has a tiger tattoo on his right forearm, a dragon on his left. Inspired by Bruce Lee, he’s a kung fu fighter who feared no evil thanks to his potent kick.

Then he went to Modern Vascular.

After eight surgeries, which he says weren’t all necessary, his left leg was damaged. Other doctors tried to save it. But ultimately, it was amputated.

He’s grown dependent on his wife of 42 years. But she was driven from their bed because he wakes in the night screaming in pain.

When morning comes, the 6-foot-2 former college football player has to remember he’s missing a leg. He has forgotten before, and he fell.

He twists into his wheelchair and maneuvers to the bathroom, squeezing through a narrow doorway to get to the toilet. 

To get to breakfast in the kitchen, he grinds his wheelchair over carpet in his Glendale home. The resistance feels like lifting weights.

Still, he has energy for a fight.

He saw Arizona Republic stories about Modern Vascular that revealed the

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May 25, 2023 by ATTORNEY

The importance of bankruptcy lawyers for the Hispanic community in the USA

Bankruptcy lawyers play a crucial role for any individual or business facing financial distress, including the Hispanic community in the USA. They are instrumental in providing legal advice, helping navigate complex laws, and representing clients in court.

Here are some of the reasons why bankruptcy lawyers are particularly important for the Hispanic community:

  1. Language Barrier: For many in the Hispanic community, especially first-generation immigrants, English may not be their first language. Legal jargon is difficult to understand even for native speakers, and this difficulty is compounded when English is a second language. Bankruptcy lawyers who are bilingual or who have support staff who speak Spanish can help bridge this language gap, ensuring that their clients fully understand their rights, obligations, and the implications of the decisions they are making.
  2. Cultural Understanding: A lawyer who understands the cultural nuances of the Hispanic community can provide more tailored and effective advice. For example, in many Hispanic cultures, there’s a strong emphasis on community and family, which might influence decisions around financial management and bankruptcy. A culturally aware lawyer can help navigate these complexities.
  3. Navigating the Legal System: The U.S. legal system can be complex and daunting, especially to those unfamiliar with
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May 24, 2023 by ATTORNEY

I have $30K in credit card debt. I earn $70K a year. Should I file for bankruptcy?

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Many people will find themselves in debt at some point in their lives.

And it doesn’t matter whether you lost your job or it’s medical bills that have piled up, when you don’t have the money to pay your debt, collectors will track you down. But when deciding whether to file for bankruptcy, there are a lot of factors to consider.

For this reason, we sought advice from Karra L. Kingston, a bankruptcy lawyer on Staten Island and in New Jersey, who has helped hundreds of people get out of debt.

Question: I have 30K in credit card debt. I earn 70K a year. Should I file for bankruptcy?

Kingston: “Filing for bankruptcy is a difficult decision to make, but it can be the most effective way to take control of your finances and make a fresh start. Bankruptcy laws were established to help people who are struggling with debt to find a way out of their financial difficulties.

When deciding whether to file for bankruptcy, you need to assess your financial situation, including whether you have enough money to repay your debts, and whether your monthly expenses are greater than your income. If you

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May 23, 2023 by ATTORNEY

Patent Case United Cannabis v Pure Hemp no Inequitable Conduct

The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the rejection of attorney fees, finding that neither inequitable conduct nor a conflict of interest rendered the case exceptional given the limited factual record following a stipulated dismissal in a patent case. United Cannabis Corp. v. Pure Hemp Collective Inc., Case No. 22-1363 (Fed. Cir. May 8, 2023) (Lourie, Cunningham, Stark, JJ.).

United Cannabis Corporation (UCANN) sued Pure Hemp for patent infringement. After the litigation was stayed pending bankruptcy proceedings, the parties stipulated to the dismissal. Pure Hemp then sought attorney fees based on alleged inequitable conduct by UCANN during prosecution of the asserted patent due to nondisclosure of a prior art reference used in the patent’s specification and based on a purported conflict of interest by UCANN’s litigation counsel. The district court denied Pure Hemp’s request, finding that the case was not exceptional. Pure Hemp appealed.

Pure Hemp argued that the district court erred by (1) failing to find Pure Hemp to be the prevailing party in the litigation, (2) not concluding that the undisputed facts established inequitable conduct and (3) not recognizing that UCANN’s attorneys had a conflict of interest.

The Federal Circuit found that although

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May 20, 2023 by ATTORNEY
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