In re Tribune Co. Fraudulent Conveyance Litigation

831 F. Supp. 2d 1371, 2011 WL 6740260

Opinion

TRANSFER ORDER

JOHN G. HEYBURN II, Chairman.

Before the Panel:* Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1407, plaintiffs in all 44 actions move for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings of the 44 actions listed on Schedule A in the Southern District of New York.¹ Of the more than 1,700 former Tribune Co. (Tribune) shareholder defendants in these actions, approximately 385 support or do not oppose centralization. Less than 100 defendants oppose the motion.

On the basis of the papers filed and hearing session held, we find that these 44 actions involve common questions of fact, and that centralization in the Southern District of New York will serve the convenience of the parties and witnesses and promote the just and efficient conduct of this litigation. All actions arise out of the Tribune’s 2007 leveraged buyout (LBO), its 2008 Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, and the impact of the LBO and bankruptcy on the Tribune’s creditors. Centralization will eliminate duplicative discovery, prevent inconsistent pretrial rulings, and conserve the resources of the parties, then-counsel and the judiciary.

Some opposing former shareholder defendants argue that unique questions of fact in each action predominate over any common factual questions. While each action, indeed, will involve some individual questions of fact as to each defendant relating to the Tribune shareholder transfers, all actions involve numerous common factual questions arising from the LBO. Discovery and other pretrial proceedings will focus on the same series of events. Motions to dismiss likely will be similar in these actions. In any event, Section 1407 does not require a complete identity or even a majority of common factual issues as a prerequisite to centralization. In re Denture Cream Prods. Liab. Litig., 624 F.Supp.2d 1379 (J.P.M.L.2009); In re Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) Prods. Liab. Litig., 173 F.Supp.2d 1377 (J.P.M.L.2001). Transferee judges can accommodate common and individual discovery tracks, gain ing the benefits of centralization without delaying or compromising consideration of claims on their individual merits. In re: Yamaha Motor Corp. Rhino ATV Prods. Liab. Litig., 597 F.Supp.2d 1377 (J.P.M.L. 2009).

Opposing former shareholder defendants also have voiced a concern that many of them are individuals or small entities and centralization will be inconvenient for them and increase their litigation costs. Panel Rule 2.1(c), however, provides that “[a]ny attorney of record in any action transferred under Section 1407 may continue to represent his or her client in any district court of the United States to which such action is transferred. Parties are not required to obtain local counsel.” Coordination in the transferee court will not prevent any required depositions of, or any other discovery unique to, the opposing defendants from occurring in their home districts. In re Yamaha Motor Corp. Rhino ATV Prods. Liab. Litig., 597 F.Supp.2d 1377, 1378. The use of liaison counsel, lead counsel and steering committees also will eliminate the need for most counsel ever to travel to the transferee district. In addition, prudent counsel likely will combine their forces and apportion their workload in order to streamline the efforts of the parties, their counsel and the judiciary. This streamlining combined with uniform case management will lead to an overall savings in transaction costs. Given the number of pending actions, centralization likely will result in a significant savings of time and money for the parties and the courts. In re Lawnmower Engine Horsepower Mktg. and Sales Practices Litig., 588 F.Supp.2d 1379 (J.P.M.L. Dec. 2008).

Lastly, opposing defendants argue that centralization of these 44 actions is premature and should await (1) service on each defendant; (2) rulings on pending or anticipated motions to dismiss in each action; or (3) the bankruptcy court’s confirmation of Tribune’s reorganization plan. We disagree. Defendants can raise jurisdiction and other objections in the transferee district. To the extent that many complaints may be subject to several of the same grounds for dismissal, having these motions decided by a single judge will be the most efficient way to resolve them. In re Darvocet, Darvon & Propoxyphene Prods. Liab. Litig., 780 F.Supp.2d 1379 (J.P.M.L. 2011). Centralization at this time also will streamline coordination between these 44 actions and the Delaware bankruptcy proceedings. In re Refco Sec. Litig., 530 F.Supp.2d 1350 (J.P.M.L.2007).

Given the wide dispersal of these actions across the country, no forum stands out as a focal point for this litigation. We are persuaded that the Southern District of New York is an appropriate transferee district for this litigation, because (1) documents and witnesses likely are located there, and (2) this district is a convenient and accessible forum for most parties. Judge Richard J. Holwell is an experienced judge who we are confident will steer these cases on a fair and expeditious course.

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1407, the actions listed on Schedule A and pending outside the Southern District of New York are transferred to the Southern District of New York and, with the consent of that court, assigned to the Honorable Richard A. Holwell for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings in that district.

SCHEDULE A

MDL No. 2296 — IN RE: TRIBUNE COMPANY FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCE LITIGATION

District of Arizona

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. Peter W. King, et al., C.A. No. 2:11-01110

Northern District of California

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. AG Edwards & Sons, et al., C.A. No. 3:11-02646

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., et al., C.A. No. 3:11-02661

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. First Republic Bank, et al., C.A. No. 4:11-02634

District of Connecticut

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. Sirius International Insurance Corporation, et al., C.A. No. 3:11-00894

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. Aetna, Inc., et al., C.A. No. 3:11-00895

District of Delaware

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. Wells Fargo Investments LLC, C.A. No. 1:11-00609

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. Alliance Capital Management LLC, et al., C.A. No. 1:11-00612

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. Verizon Investment Management Corporation, et al., C.A. No. 1:11-00613

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. Sowood Alpha Fund LP, et al., C.A. No. 1:11-00618

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. RBS Securities Inc., et al., C.A. No. 1:11-00638

District of District of Columbia

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. Janice Williams Anderson, et al., C.A. No. 1:11-01024

Southern District of Florida

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. Waterman Broadcasting Corporation, et al., C.A. No. 1:11-22007

Northern District of Illinois

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. 1994 Alicia P. Guggenheim, C.A. No. 1:11-03750

Deutsche Bank Trust Company, et al. v. Ohlson Enterprises, et al., C.A. No. 1:11-03754

Southern District of Indiana

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. 1st Source Bank, et al., C.A. No. 1:11-00746

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. Robert Dishon Family Trust, et al., C.A. No. 1:11-00749

District of Maryland

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. Janice M. McGurn, et al., C.A. No. 8:11-01510

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. National Electrical Benefit Fund, et al., C.A. No. 8:11-01512

District of Massachusetts

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. Anne G. Taylor, et al., C.A. No. 1:11-10982

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas et al v. Eaton Vance Multi Cap Growth Portfolio, et al., C.A. No. 1:11—10985

District of Minnesota

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. Ameriprise Trust Co., et al., C.A. No. 0:11-01451

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. U.S. Bank, N.A., C.A. No. 0:11-01452

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. Pandora Select Partners LP, et al., C.A. No. 0:11-01458

District of New Jersey

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. Sumitomo Trust & Banking Co. (U.S.A.), et al., C.A. No. 2:11-03147

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. Merrill Lynch Trust Company, et al., C.A. No. 2:11-03148

Western District of North Carolina

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. The Burroughs Wellcome Fund, et al., C.A. No. 3:11-00266

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. Aqua America-Gabelli Asset Mgt, et al., C.A. No. 3:11-00268

Southern District of New York

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, et al., C.A. No. 1:11-04522

Deutsche Bank Trust Company, Americas, et al. v. Adaly Opportunity Fund TD Securities Inc. C/O Adaly Investment Management Co., et al, C.A. No. 1:11-04784

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., et al., C.A. No. 1:11-04900

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. CIBC World Markets Corp., et al., C.A. No. 1:11-05136

Southern District of Ohio

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. American Electric Power, et al., C.A. No. 1:11-00358

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. Goodrich Corp. MAS TR QUAL EMPL BEN, et al., C.A. No. 1:11-00359

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. Huntington National Bank, et al., C.A. No. 1:11-00361

Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. Ametek Inc. Employees Master Retirement Trust, et al., C.A. No. 5:11-03569

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. ING Trust Equity Inc. Port, et al., C.A. No. 5:11-03570

Northern District of Texas

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. Employees Retirement Fund of the City of Dallas, et al., C.A. No. 3:11-01167

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas v. Bank of America NA/Gwim Trust Operations, et al., C.A. No. 3:11—01175

District of Vermont

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. George H. Long, et al., C.A. No. 2:11-00144

Eastern District of Virginia

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. Richard M. Ader, et al., C.A. No. 1:11-00601

Western District of Washington

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas v. Automotive Machinists Pension Trust Fund, et al., C.A. No. 2:11-00925

Western District of Wisconsin

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. Associated Bank Green Bay, NA, et al., C.A. No. 3:11-00396

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al. v. Howard E. Mazur, C.A. No. 3:11-00400

Footnotes

*

At oral argument, it was announced that more than three Panel members have interests which would normally disqualify them under 28 U.S.C. § 455 from participating in the decision of this matter. Accordingly, the Panel invoked the Rule of Necessity and all Panel members participated in the decision of this matter in order to provide the forum created by the governing statute, 28 U.S.C. § 1407. See In re Adelphia Communications Corp. Sec. & Derivative Litig., 273 F.Supp.2d 1353 (J.P.M.L.2003); In re Wireless Telephone Radio Frequency Emissions Prods. Liab. Litig., 170 F.Supp.2d 1356 (J.P.M.L.2001).

1

. The parties have notified the Panel that six potentially related actions are pending in six districts. In four of these actions, Tribune retiree plaintiffs support this Section 1407 motion and urge inclusion of their actions in this MDL. Some responding parties also urge inclusion of a Tribune adversary action brought by The Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (Committee) in these MDL proceedings. The Committee filed a response opposing inclusion at this time. These actions are potential tag-along actions and will be considered in due course. See Panel Rules 1.1(h), 7.1 and 7.2.