Case 21-10632-MBK Doc 182 Filed 03/01/21 Entered 03/01/21 16:10:54 Desc Main Document Page 1 of 8
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Case 21-10632-MBK Doc 182 Filed 03/01/21 Entered 03/01/21 16:10:54 Desc Main Document Page 1 of 8 UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY Caption in Compliance with D.N.J. LBR 9004-1(b) COLE SCHOTZ P.C. Court Plaza North 25 Main Street Hackensack, New Jersey 07601 Warren A. Usatine, Esq. Seth Van Aalten, Esq. (admitted pro hac vice) Justin R. Alberto, Esq. (admitted pro hac vice) [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Telephone: (201) 489-3000 Facsimile: (201) 489-1536 Proposed Counsel for the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors In re: L’OCCITANE, INC., Chapter 11 Debtor Case No. 21-10632 (MBK) Objection Deadline: March 8, 2021 Hearing Date: Only if an objection is timely filed APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING THE RETENTION OF PROVINCE, LLC AS FINANCIAL ADVISOR TO THE OFFICIAL COMMITTEE OF UNSECURED CREDITORS OF L’OCCITANE, INC. EFFECTIVE AS OF FEBRUARY 12, 2021 The Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (the “Committee”) of the above-captioned debtor and debtor-in-possession (the “Debtor”) respectfully submits this application (the “Application”) for entry of an order, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Order”), pursuant to sections 328(a) and 1103 of title 11 of the United States Code, 11 U.S.C. §§ 101 et seq. (the “Bankruptcy Code”), Rule 2014 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (the “Bankruptcy Rules”) and Rule 2014-1 of the Local Rules of Bankruptcy Practice and Procedure of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey (the “Local 62315/0001-40252997v1 Case 21-10632-MBK Doc 182 Filed 03/01/21 Entered 03/01/21 16:10:54 Desc Main Document Page 2 of 8 Rules”), authorizing the retention of Province, LLC (“Province” or the “Firm”) as financial advisor to the Committee, effective as of February 12, 2021. In support of this Application, the Committee submits the Declaration of Edward Kim, attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Kim Declaration”) and respectfully states as follows: JURISDICTION AND VENUE 1. This Court has jurisdiction over this Application pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 and 1334 and the Standing Order of Reference to the Bankruptcy Court Under Title 11 of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, entered on July 23, 1984, and amended on September 18, 2012. (Simandle, C.J.). Venue is proper before this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 and 1409. BACKGROUND A. The Chapter 11 Case 2. On January 26, 2021 (the “Petition Date”), the Debtor filed a voluntary petition (the “Chapter 11 Case”) for relief under the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for this District of New Jersey (the “Court”). Since the Petition Date, the Debtor is operating its business and managing its property as a debtor-in-possession pursuant to sections 1107(a) and 1108(a) of the Bankruptcy Code. 3. On February 16, 2021, the Office of the U.S. Trustee for the District of New Jersey (the “U.S. Trustee”) filed a Notice of Appointment of Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in this Chapter 11 Case, effective February 11, 2021 [D.I. 110]. The Committee consists of the following five (5) members: (i) Simon Property Group, (ii) Brookfield Properties Retail, Inc.; (iii) Washington Prime Group, Inc.; (iv) Astor Retail Strategic Venture, LLC; and (v) 63 Spring Lafayette, LLC. 2 62315/0001-40252997v1 Case 21-10632-MBK Doc 182 Filed 03/01/21 Entered 03/01/21 16:10:54 Desc Main Document Page 3 of 8 4. On February 12, 2021, the Committee selected Cole Schotz P.C. as its proposed counsel and Province as its proposed financial advisor. B. Province’s Background 5. The Firm has extensive experience representing official creditors’ committees, debtors, creditors, trustees, and others in a wide variety of bankruptcy cases, including, as (i) financial advisor to the official committees of unsecured creditors in the White Stallion Energy, LLC, Francesca’s Holding Corporation, Purdue Pharma, Pier 1, One Web, J Crew, Lucky’s Market, American Blue Ribbon Holdings, LLC, BL Restaurants Holding, LLC, Destination Maternity, Papyrus, Stage Stores, Inc., Furniture Factory Ultimate Holding, LP, Smartours, LLC, Brookstone, J&M Stores (Fallas), Heritage Home Group, The Rockport Company, Claire’s Stores, Inc., The Walking Company, Patriot National, Shiekh Shoes, Velocity Holding Company (MAG), Aerogroup International, Inc. (Aerosoles), Mac Acquisition LLC (Romano’s Macaroni Grill), Cornerstone Apparel, Inc. (Papaya), True Religion Apparel, Inc., Payless ShoeSource, Inc., Gordmans Stores, Inc., hhgregg Inc., and Eastern Outfitters LLC, Inc. matters, (ii) financial advisor to the independent director of Intelsat S.A., (iii) financial advisor to the official committee of tort claimants in Mallinckrodt, (iv) financial advisor to the debtors in Cinemex Holdings USA, True Religion Apparel, Inc., Woodbridge Group of Companies, LLC, and Penthouse Global Media Inc., (v) financial advisor to the trustee of Promise Healthcare Group, LLC, and (vi) the trustee in Maxus Energy, Avaya, Inc., La Paloma Generating Company LLC, RadioShack Corporation, and Coldwater Creek, Inc., among others. Accordingly, the Committee believes that the Firm is well- qualified to render the services described below. 3 62315/0001-40252997v1 Case 21-10632-MBK Doc 182 Filed 03/01/21 Entered 03/01/21 16:10:54 Desc Main Document Page 4 of 8 RELIEF REQUESTED 6. By this Application, Bankruptcy Code Section 1103(a), and Bankruptcy Rule 2014, the Committee requests entry of the proposed order attached hereto as Exhibit A, approving the employment and retention of Province, LLC as its Financial Advisor, effective as of February 12, 2021, in connection with the Debtor’s Chapter 11 Case. RETENTION OF PROVINCE, LLC C. Services to be Provided 7. The Committee requests that this Court approve the employment of Province, LLC to perform advisory services consistent with the mandate of the Committee to provide for fair and lawful treatment of all unsecured creditors. 8. Subject to further Order of this Court, the services Province has rendered and may be required to render for the Committee, include without limitation, the following: a. becoming familiar with and analyzing the Debtor’s assets and liabilities, and overall financial condition and liquidity during the case; b. reviewing financial and operational information furnished by the Debtor; c. review of other operational data and agreements related to the interaction of the Debtor with its overseas parent(s); d. scrutinizing the economic terms of various agreements, including, but not limited to, any prospective KEIP and KERP and various professional retentions; e. analyzing the Debtor’s proposed business plans and developing alternative scenarios, if necessary; f. assessing the Debtor’s various pleadings and proposed treatment of unsecured creditor claims therefrom; g. preparing, or reviewing as applicable, avoidance action and claim analyses; h. assisting the Committee in reviewing the Debtor’s financial reports, including, but not limited to, SOFAs, Schedules, budgets, and Monthly Operating Reports; 4 62315/0001-40252997v1 Case 21-10632-MBK Doc 182 Filed 03/01/21 Entered 03/01/21 16:10:54 Desc Main Document Page 5 of 8 i. advising the Committee on the current state of this Chapter 11 Case; j. advising the Committee in negotiations with the Debtor and third parties as necessary; k. if necessary, participating as a witness in hearings before the bankruptcy court with respect to matters upon which Province has provided advice; and l. other activities as are approved by the Committee, the Committee’s counsel, and as agreed to by Province. D. Professional Compensation 9. The Committee desires to employ the Firm and compensate the Firm with reasonable fees to be determined by the Court. No compensation will be paid to the Firm except upon compliance with the Bankruptcy Code, Bankruptcy Rules, Local Rules, and any other applicable procedures and orders of this Court. The Firm has received no retainer in this case to represent the Committee. Neither the Committee nor any of its members (or their representatives) are or will be liable for any fees or costs incurred by the Firm in its representation of the Committee. Province’s standard hourly rates are: Professional Level Per Hour (USD) Principal $880 - $975 Managing Director $670 - $790 Senior Director $600 - $670 Director $550 - $600 Vice President $510 - $550 Senior Associate $430 - $510 Associate $360 - $430 Analyst $240 - $360 Paraprofessionals $185 10. The hourly rates set forth above are subject to periodic adjustments to reflect economic and other conditions. Province intends to provide notice to the Debtor, the Committee, and the U.S. Trustee before implementing any increases in Province’s rates for professionals working on this Chapter 11 Case. 5 62315/0001-40252997v1 Case 21-10632-MBK Doc 182 Filed 03/01/21 Entered 03/01/21 16:10:54 Desc Main Document Page 6 of 8 11. In addition, Province will bill for all out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by Province in connection with the matters contemplated by this Application. 12. Province will maintain detailed records of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the rendering of the advisory services described above, in accordance with applicable rules and guidelines. 13. The Committee understands that any compensation and expenses paid to Province must be approved by the Court upon application consistent with the Bankruptcy Code, Bankruptcy Rules, Local Rules, U.S. Trustee Guidelines, and any orders of the Court respecting compensation of professionals, including the Order Establishing Case Management and Administrative Procedures entered in this case on February 18, 2021 at Docket No. 121. NO ADVERSE INTEREST OF PROFESSIONALS 14. To the best of the Committee’s knowledge, and based upon the Kim Declaration attached hereto, neither the Firm nor any of its employees have any connection with any party in interest, their attorneys or accountants, other than as set forth in the Kim Declaration.