BANKRUPTCY BALLOTING & SOLICITATION

The Altman Group's extensive cross-discipline experience in both the bankruptcy and proxy arenas means we are able to work with both public and private companies, understand and anticipate key issues, and develop solutions in ways that other claims/ballot agents simply cannot match.

(Click here to see a list of past bankruptcy balloting assignments.)

The Altman Group is known among bankruptcy professionals as the premier firm to turn to for complex balloting situations, particularly those involving public securities. In 1991, Ken Altman (then with Hill and Knowlton) created the master ballot voting methodology in direct response to the Court's decision in the Southland case. Since the founding of The Altman Group in 1995, clients and their counsel have turned to our firm when they need intelligent and cost-effective solutions to complex problems.

PLAN SOLICITATIONS

Balloting Procedures : Review procedural orders and disclosure statement with regard to distribution of material, voting and tabulation. Provide advice regarding various approaches if beneficial owners of securities are being solicited.

Disseminating Documents : Help debtor obtain accurate mailing records and distribute materials to holders of debt and equity securities and other creditors.

Talking with Creditors : Handle communications with creditors and security holders as well as with banks and brokerage firms regarding the plan and voting procedures.

Tracking Votes : Closely monitor ongoing voting and provide insight to debtors regarding the results and trends of the voting.

Tabulating Ballots: Tabulate ballots for all classes and prepare comprehensive reports for the debtor. Prepare the final report and vote certification to be filed with the court.

DISTRIBUTING PLAN DOCUMENTS TO "STREET" NAME HOLDERS

As experts in the distribution of plan documents to banks and brokerage firms to facilitate voting by bondholders and equity interest holders with securities in street name, The Altman Group:

• Gives appropriate notice of the record date to custodial holders (or their agent).
  
• Confirms the number of beneficial owners in each class and security.
  
• Prepares a database of custodial holders for mailing information and service lists.
  
• Works with debtor to obtain appropriate record date information.
  
• Drafts instruction letter to be included with the materials distributed to custodial holders.
  
• Distributes materials to all custodial holders and follows up to make sure materials are received and forwarded to beneficial owners.
  
• Distributes master ballots to custodial holders.
  
• Confirms the issuance of master ballots on behalf of beneficial owners