Melissa B. Jacoby

@mbjacoby.bsky.social

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Still acclimating to this site...
UNC-Chapel Hill professor studying debt/commercial law/bankruptcy & connections to everything else.
Unjust Debts was published by The New Press June 11 2024: https://www.mbjacoby.org/unjustdebts

Posts Replies Media

A free virtual book club event, without homework - tomorrow!

With so much going on in the news, why should you care about the inner workings of the American bankruptcy system too? Join us at this virtual event on Wednesday to discuss. rooseveltinstitute.org/event/roosev...

Hey there, DC area! This public Politics & Prose Unjust Debts event is tomorrow night, July 8. I'll be in conversation with Vicki Shabo of New America, so that will make it extra special. Would love to see you.

Still time to join Senator Warren and me tomorrow at this virtual event 3pm ET. Sign up here: www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2024-...

Want to learn and talk about unexpected sources of inequality and what to do? Join Senator Elizabeth Warren and me on July 1 for a virtual event & conversation. I'm told registrants can propose topics and questions to Senator Warren. Register here: www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2024-...

Melissa Jacoby with Sen. Elizabeth Warren: How Our Bankruptcy System Makes America More Unequalwww.commonwealthclub.org Bankruptcy is the busiest federal court in America. In theory, bankruptcy in America exists to cancel or restructure debts for people and companies that have way too many debts—a safety valve designed...

New Yorkers, Zephyr Teachout and I will no doubt end up discussing today's Purdue Pharma decision at tonight's Unjust Debts book event. Please join the discussion! www.greenlightbookstore.com/event/meliss...

Melissa Jacoby & Zephyr Teachoutwww.greenlightbookstore.com

When I say the American bankruptcy system intersects with everything, it is no joke. www.thenation.com/article/soci...

Jenny Offill predicted the future.

Very much appreciate Prof. Lahav's interest in this work given her expertise!

Really looking forward to @mbjacoby.bsky.social 's book Unjust Debts. I had forgotten the Dalcon Shield piece of this history until I read this op ed. www.nytimes.com/2024/06/04/o...

Opinion | The Moral Limits of Bankruptcy Lawwww.nytimes.com Companies are increasingly using the bankruptcy process to shortchange the rights of those seeking accountability for corporate wrongdoing.

Reposted by

Melissa B. Jacoby

The bankruptcy system reflects many good intentions. But the costs deserve a closer look. My essay considers companies using chapter 11 in response to widespread allegations of wrongdoing. Want to know more than these 1500 words? Unjust Debts comes out next week. www.nytimes.com/2024/06/04/o...

Opinion | The Moral Limits of Bankruptcy Lawwww.nytimes.com Companies are increasingly using the bankruptcy process to shortchange the rights of those seeking accountability for corporate wrongdoing.

The bankruptcy profession, but also the federal judiciary, must reckon with this story, which continues to unfold through investigative reporting. www.businessinsider.com/conflicts-of...

The incredible oblivion of Judge Marvin Isgurwww.businessinsider.com New details emerge about the tight-knit circle of attorneys and judges that fueled the rise of the nation's most influential bankruptcy court — and its spectacular fall.

Here are the Unjust Debts launch events for the summer so far! Please come hang out with me real or virtually if you can.

This wild Slate story about Foxtrot by Elena Botella deserves a reading - now commercial law operates in real life doesn't look much like the textbook... @slate.bsky.social slate.com/business/202...

A Trendy Grocery Store Went Bust Spectacularly. It Was Part of the Playbook All Along.slate.com Who cleans up the metaphorical, and sometimes literal, messes when VC-backed businesses go bust?

Ah, this site also seems not to have an edit button. I meant to say "you might well care about" Hope you will still want to read about Unjust Debts!

Hey there bluesky. Less than one month until my first book comes out. It tells stories from the American bankruptcy system that raise issues you might well about. Read more about it here: www.mbjacoby.org/unjustdebts

As I hope to demystify bankruptcy law for the public, grateful for early praise of Unjust Debts, including starred review + interview in Publisher's Weekly. Links here: www.mbjacoby.org/unjustdebts

Happy publication day to Rutgers Prof. Chrystin Ondersma. Dignity Not Debt now out with UC Press. I look forward to reading and learning. www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520...

A Dr. Holman visit is indeed a wonderful thing!

Excited to have @mirya.bsky.social visiting us in Cologne today, talking about how men and women politicians strategically convey emotions in their social media use. In addition to her research, our women working group got a live session of MHAWS career advice! Thanks for coming! Polisky gendersky

Prison health care company accused of mistreating incarcerated patients filed for bankruptcy, but only after extreme transactional maneuverings to insulate assets & operating business. Finally, incarcerated claimants/families have bigger voice in case, and they say ... NO. #Corizon/Tehum

On Dec 28, Charlotte bankruptcy court ruled that he will not dismiss two so-called two-step asbestos bankruptcies for lack of good faith, encouraged 4th Circuit to revisit and fix the prevailing standard. (Aldrich & Murray, part of Trane).

Context: harder to make legal obligation for willful & malicious injury survive bankruptcy than... - student loan (presumptively survives unless financially distressed person brings & wins separate lawsuit) -local government fine imposed on individual (generally can't be cancelled).

After all they have been through, GA poll workers now need lawyers to represent them as creditors in Giuliani bankruptcy. B/c Giuliani gets extraordinary legal protection for foreseeable future & poll workers will have to file separate suit in bankruptcy court to protect their judgment.

Had been unsure sure about topic for first post on this site. With mixed emotion, it is about Rudolph Giuliani's Chapter 11, a case that almost certainly will highlight how lawyers have transformed the bankruptcy system in problematic ways.

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