Bar Dates in Mass Tort Bankruptcies: Where Due Process Limits Finality

Jaclynn McDonnell, Counsel in Stevens & Lee’s Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring Group, authored the article “Bar Dates in Mass Tort Bankruptcies: Where Due Process Limits Finality” published by the New Jersey Law Journal on May 4, 2026.

Jaclynn examined how courts in large mass tort bankruptcy cases must strike a careful balance between achieving finality and upholding the constitutional requirement of providing fair notice to potential claimants. She discussed the methods courts use in complex Chapter 11 proceedings to assess notice procedures, distinguish between known and unknown creditors and address overarching due process concerns.