Agri-Tech Services, Inc. v. Citizens Bank of Clovis (In re Groff)

LOGAN, Circuit Judge.

Citizens Bank of Clovis (Citizens Bank) appeals adverse rulings in both the bankruptcy and district courts in this priority dispute. Both courts determined that Citizens Bank had no interest in certain cattle held by a joint venture in which Lee Groff, a bankruptcy debtor, participated. The central issue on appeal is whether the rules governing partners’ interests in partnership assets also apply to joint ventures. We hold that they do and, therefore, affirm the district court's decision.

To secure a debt of Lee and Gwen Groff, Citizens Bank took a security interest in…