Geron ex rel. Estate of Thelen LLP v. Seyfarth Shaw LLP (In re Thelen LLP)

GERARD E. LYNCH, Circuit Judge:

This case requires us to decide whether, for purposes of administering the firm’s related bankruptcy, New York law treats a dissolved law firm’s pending hourly fee matters as its property. Because we conclude that we cannot definitively answer that question without the guidance of the New York Court of Appeals, we certify controlling questions of law to that court.

BACKGROUND

I. Facts

On October 28, 2008, the partners of the law firm Thelen LLP (“Thelen”), a registered limited liability partnership governed by California law, voted to dissolve the firm, which was…