And the Cockroach Theory The recent bankruptcies of First Brands, a large auto parts supplier, and Tricolor, a car dealership chain, have renewed concerns about lending practices more than two years after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. That earlier failure was driven by rising interest rates that reduced the value of its bond holdings and caused panic across the banking sector.  Appraisers may regard ...

Engaging a Prospective Attorney for Referrals In this article, the author shares what “pick-up line” works best for him to get attorneys to refer work. I have a “pick-up line” that works almost every time with new referral sources, particularly attorneys. Want to hear what it is? Before I tell you, let’s first talk about what referral sources, like attorneys, are up against so you can see why this pick-up l ...

In Anticipation of Going to Market Valuations performed for mergers and acquisitions are different than most of the traditional valuation work. The author of this article shares the standard of value used in these engagements, the due diligence conducted, and merits of preparing a calculation report in anticipation of going to market. Valuations performed for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are different ...

How AI is Reshaping Litigation for Better and Worse AI remains a flawed practice companion. In addition to the possibility of hallucinated case citations and incorrect legal analysis, the use of AI introduces data privacy concerns and risks misadvising individuals due to overly generalized AI conclusions. In this article, the author addresses the following: Does the use of AI in litigation represent true ar ...

Here is a practical use for AI in your consulting practice. If you ever need to create training for a new employee or intern, you will find this method very useful. It will save you hours of time and make you look like a well-organized firm. We will use Perplexity in this demo, but you could use your favorite AI chatbot to do the same thing. Watch this video to see how to create professional video training ...

Examining Available Sale Options and Steps to Maximize the Financial Outcome (Part II of II) Effective exit planning is essential for business owners to maximize financial outcomes when selling or transferring their business. This second part of the comprehensive guide explores the strategic options available, the timing required for preparation, and key value drivers to enhance sale success. Read Part I he ...

What Might an Investigation Look Like The First Brands Chapter 11 filing, the questions raised regarding its use of off-balance sheet financing and its new leadership, is setting the stage for an investigation. In this article, the author shares what may ensue at this early stage of the controversy. Introduction Automotive News[1] reported that, on October 13, 2025, First Brands reported its founder, Patric ...

Examining Available Sale Options and Steps to Maximize the Financial Outcome (Part I of II) Effective exit planning is essential for business owners to maximize financial outcomes when selling or transferring their business. This two-part comprehensive guide explores the strategic options available, the timing required for preparation, and key value drivers to enhance sale success. Effective exit planning i ...

Don’t Say That! What is protected communications in one jurisdiction might be discoverable in another. Yet, many expert witnesses draft e-mails as if their words will never see the light of a courtroom projector. The author shares what she has experienced and makes suggestions. Words live forever, especially when they are typed into e-mails during litigation. As an expert witness, your casual Monday morning ...

How Exactly Did $2.3 Billion Vanish? First Brands Group Holdings has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, capping weeks of turmoil sparked by creditor concern over the auto-supplier’s use of opaque off-balance sheet financing. The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the circumstances leading to this company’s collapse. In late September 2025, U.S. auto parts maker, First Brands, filed ...