In In re 1141 Realty Owner LLC, et al., No. 18-12341 (SMB), 2019
WL 1270818 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. March 18, 2019), Bankruptcy Judge
Stuart M. Bernstein of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Southern
District of New York recently reaffirmed that upon sufficient
contractual language, "make whole" prepayment premiums
are enforceable under New York law even after loan acceleration.
The court emphasized that the language of the contract provided for
such a result and that this was an enforceable liquidated damages
clause under New York law.
Prior to filing for Chapter 11, 1141 Realty Owner LLC, (the
Debtor) received a notice of default and acceleration from
Wilmington Trust NA (Wilmington). Wilmington demanded immediate
repayment in full of the entire outstanding debt including all
accrued interest and other payments due under the loan agreement.1
The contractual make whole prepayment premium provision stated that
any payment following an event of default was deemed a
"voluntary