The American Law Institute Indian Law Restatement Project

 

Indian Law
Image: ali.org

An experienced commercial bankruptcy litigator based in Houston, Texas, Hugh M. Ray III is a partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP. Outside of his work, Hugh M. Ray III contributes to the advancement of the law professional through his service with the American Law Institute Members Consultative Group. The group is currently drafting the Restatement of the Law of American Indians.

The restatement project is one of the most ambitious of its kind, aiming to crystallize the key elements of American Indian Law. Such a broad initiative includes a number of important foundational elements, including commercial Indian law, the particulars of the way tribal jurisdiction operates, and clarification of tribal relations with the local, state, and federal government.

The restatement will consist of five chapters, one of which has already been approved. The other chapters have been drafted and are awaiting final approval. To learn more about the American Law Institute and this restatement initiative, visit www.ali.org.

Bankruptcy Trends in the Energy Sector

 

Hugh Ray III
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Experienced business bankruptcy attorney Hugh M. Ray III, a member of the Texas and New Mexico bars, has represented clients in the oil and energy sector since earning certification from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 2005. Hugh Ray III has successfully represented dozens of companies undergoing Chapter 11 filings and complex debt restructurings.

High debt and volatile oil prices have resulted in record numbers of bankruptcy filings in the energy sector. In the state of Texas, over 100 energy businesses filed for bankruptcy in 2017, a 42 percent increase over 2016.

In the first months of 2018 alone, two large Texas oil and gas producers and their affiliates with a combined 2.9 billion dollars in debt have filed for bankruptcy and Chapter 11 protection. The number of bankruptcy cases is expected to rise, as the state’s bankruptcy bar has earned a positive reputation in the business community for Chapter 11 filings.

The depressed gas prices driving the bankruptcy trend is also apparent in international markets, and energy companies in Europe have faced significant reductions in stock value in the first half of 2018, though they experienced record profit in the summer of 2018. As a result, many companies are looking into restructuring and reinvesting in alternative energy sources to diversify risk.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s School Art Program: An Overview

 

School Art Program
Image: rodeohouston.com

Attorney Hugh M Ray III, a member of the state bar associations of Texas and New Mexico, practices law as a board-certified business bankruptcy specialist at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman in Houston, Texas. Outside of his professional work, Hugh Ray III supports charitable organizations including the Houston Young Lawyer’s Foundation and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Founded in 1932, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo provides family-friendly entertainment that showcases Western heritage and traditions. A philanthropic organization, the rodeo advocates for agricultural causes and has provided more than $450 million to Texas youth and educational efforts.

One educational effort supported by the rodeo is the School Art Program. Founded 50 years ago, the program allows students from more than 135 school districts to participate in art competitions. To foster artistic growth, participants also have access to art workshops at the Houston Museum of Fine Art’s Glassel School of Art and Schreiner University’s Western Art Academy.

In addition to art competitions and workshops, the School Art Program features a scholarship component, with $20,000 in collegiate scholarships awarded to 15 high school students annually. For additional information on the School Art Program, visit rodeohouston.com.

Shortening Triathlon Transition Times

 

Triathlon Transition
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Hugh M. Ray III graduated from Vanderbilt University School of Law more than two decades ago. Since then, he has built a successful career as an attorney focused on commercial litigation and bankruptcy, and serves as a partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP. Outside of work, Hugh Ray III competes in triathlons and finished a 70.3-mile Ironman race.

Triathlon transitions, the time when racers switch between biking, running, or swimming, can be responsible for adding several minutes to racers’ time. Fortunately, they can be shortened through practice and preparation.

When practicing, triathletes should focus largely on changing out of their swimming gear. Removing a swim cap, goggles, and wetsuit may sound simple at first, but when working in a hurry, people are more prone to accidentally poking their eye or pulling their hair. They can also get twisted up in their wetsuit, thus forcing them to slow down and spend more time in the transition. It’s also important that triathletes practice other aspects of their transitions as well, such as putting on and taking off a helmet and putting socks on over wet feet.

In terms of preparation, triathletes must familiarize themselves with the transition area and where their items are placed during the race. Knowing what their set-up station looks like and where it might be is a key part of getting to the area faster and starting the transition sooner. Further, knowing where the transition area boundaries are is important, because some events do not allow racers to start biking or running until they are out of the transition zone completely.

Three Tips for Scuba Divers of Any Skill Level

 

Scuba Divers
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Hugh Ray III works for Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, serving as a partner in the firm’s insolvency & restructuring practice. In this role, he focuses on commercial litigation, bankruptcy, and complex business reorganizations. When Hugh M. Ray III is not working, he likes to scuba dive.

Whether you are an expert diver or preparing for your first dive, a good scuba diver knows they always have more to learn. These three tips will make your dives easier and more fun, regardless of your level of experience.

1. Equipment – Scuba divers rely on a bevy of equipment to stay safe and in control while submerged. As such, you do not want to skimp and buy the least expensive gear you can find. While you do not need to break the bank, go for the best gear you can afford.

2. Relax – During your dive, focus on relaxing and taking it slowly. Animals will be more comfortable around a slow-moving, relaxed diver than someone blundering about excitedly, giving you a better chance to see some amazing wildlife. Additionally, this relaxed approach will also help maximize the air supply in your tank.

3. Efficiency – When diving, your natural reaction may be to kick in a large motion to get more power, but this actually creates extra drag that impedes your progress. Instead, try to keep your kicks within your personal slipstream, the small “tunnel” made by your body as you travel through the water.

A Brief Overview of U.S. Bankruptcy Provisions

 

U.S. Bankruptcy Provisions
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Hugh M. Ray III serves the Houston office of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP, as a partner specializing in business bankruptcy law and other complex financial reorganizations. He has handled notable cases that include work on behalf of creditors and major corporate debtors. Hugh Ray III is also an in-demand speaker at professional events, and has given presentations on “Bankruptcy for Non-Bankruptcy Lawyers” and “10 Things Every Lawyer Needs to Know about Bankruptcy Law”, and drone (unmanned aircraft systems) law.

The field of bankruptcy is wide-ranging and complex and varies slightly from one state to another. Anyone contemplating a bankruptcy filing should first consult a qualified, experienced attorney. Among other core issues, an attorney will assist his or her client in determining which type of bankruptcy filing to select.

Current United States bankruptcy laws are codified in Title 11 of the Untied States Code and the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure. Title ii contains several chapters, including the most commonly known Chapter 7, which is liquidation, and Chapter 11, which deals with the highly complex and nuanced reorganization mechanism for corporations and a few individuals.

Individuals and entities may all file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, in which a trustee assists by selling non-exempt property to pay off accumulated debts. Any new incoming revenue post-bankruptcy can typically then be used by the debtor to rebuild personal or company finances. Corporations, however, do not emerge from a Chapter 7.

Businesses that believe they can reorganize their debts or seek a more controlled liquidation may file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy because it allows them to control the process and maintain operations and control of assets pending the confirmation of a plan.

What Happens after a Company Files for Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy
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An accomplished attorney with nearly two decades of legal experience, Hugh M. Ray III serves as a partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP. In this capacity, Hugh Ray III practices within the firm’s Insolvency and Restructuring Practice and handles such matters as a commercial litigation and corporate bankruptcy.

Filing for bankruptcy is often an option for companies that can no longer remain operational or pay their bills. However, companies may have different experiences depending on whether they file Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is typically only chosen when a corporation decides that reorganizing the business will not create a profitable company. Once this type of bankruptcy is filed, the business completely ends its operations and is fully liquidated. A bankruptcy trustee is appointed through a bankruptcy court to oversee the process of liquidation and is responsible for selling corporate assets to pay creditor accounts, legal expenses, shareholders, and bondholders. Owners are paid at the very end if there is any money left after all other debts and investors are paid.

During a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, businesses can remain in operation and retain more control over the bankruptcy process. Rather than giving a trustee control over a business’ assets, companies that file Chapter 11 can restructure their financial framework to become profitable again. However, all major business decisions must be approved by a bankruptcy court and companies may still be liquidated if they are unable to become profitable after restructuring.

ABA Issues New Formal Opinion to Protect Client Data

Client Data
Image: americanbar.org

A graduate of Vanderbilt University Law School, Hugh M. Ray III is a Texas attorney who formerly served as a principal of McKool Smith, PC, in Houston. Today, Hugh Ray III is a partner in the Insolvency and Restructuring group of the firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP. He maintains memberships with the Texas, New Mexico, and American Bar Associations.

Recently, the American Bar Association (ABA) issued a formal opinion through its Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility that establishes the need for attorneys to adhere to enhanced cybersecurity practices in the interest of protecting clients’ personal data in the digital age. This new mandate comes at a time in which more than half of Americans have been the victims of a data breach, and large swaths of this demographic feel mistrustful of institutions’ abilities to shield their personal information from exposure.

Since the ABA’s first formal opinion on cybersecurity protocol was established in 1999, attorneys have progressively relied more heavily on electronic means to communicate with clients. The new formal opinion states that attorneys must make the security risks of sharing sensitive information via electronic devices known to clients at the beginning of the professional relationship, and must make a reasonable effort to protect client data.

The ABA defines a reasonable effort to encompass seven best practices, including comprehension of the threat of cyberattacks and practical security measures, an understanding of how electronic data is transmitted and how it should be stored, and correct labeling of individual client information. Additionally, the new opinion dictates that attorneys should make sure all lawyers, non-lawyer professionals, and vendors associated with a firm understand cybersecurity and technology and are committed to reasonable cybersecurity practices.

Hiking Trails in the Mountains around Santa Fe

 

Santa Fe Mountains
Image: santafe.org

A well-established Houston attorney, Hugh M. Ray III has been involved in diverse cases centered on the Texas oil and gas bust. He has represented official committees of unsecured creditors as the bankruptcy process proceeds. Aside from work, Hugh Ray III is an avid traveler who maintains a property in the scenic mountains above Santa Fe.

The Santa Fe Mountains are part of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, which represent the southernmost stretch of the Rockies and straddle Colorado and northern New Mexico. Among the popular excursions in the area is the La Piedra Trail, which connects a pair of longer trails and traverses three miles of shaded creek side that features pine forests and expansive Tesuque Valley views.

Situated on the Pajarito Plateau, the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument Trail is known for its unique geologic features that include cone-shaped volcanic formations that were created by major eruptions some 6 million years ago. The area provides an important natural refuge and is particularly popular among birdwatchers.

Cordillera del Paine – Geologically Unique Patagonian Mountains

 

Cordillera del Paine
Image: intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com

Based in Houston, Hugh M. Ray III is a partner with the insolvency and restructuring practice at the global law practice Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP. Passionate about travel, Hugh Ray III has visited locales ranging from Europe to Patagonia, where he went skiing.

One of Patagonia’s most spectacular locales is the Torres del Paine National Park, which is on the Chilean side of a border with Argentina. Visible from far away across the steppes, the dramatic, windswept peaks of the Cordillera del Paine rise suddenly and vertically from rugged foothills.

The Cordillera del Paine occupy a unique spot at the transition point between the Patagonian steppes and the Andes, and they also sit at the head of the third-largest ice cap worldwide, the Southern Patagonian ice field.

The mountains feature a distinct white band that stretches a full kilometer wide in places and is a product of glacial erosion and tectonics. These forces have exposed a white magmatic intrusion into dark layered sandstones and turbidites. Initially formed at the bottom of the sea, the unique geologic feature is now, thanks to Andean uplift, at the top of high mountains.