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Vyaire - CS Third Monthly Fee App (August 2024)

Date
2024-10-15

Summary

The third monthly fee application of Cole Schotz P.C., Delaware co-counsel to the debtors and debtors in possession, filed September 24, 2024 as Doc 568 in In re Vyaire Medical, Inc., et al., Case No. 24-11217 (BLS), the jointly administered Chapter 11 cases in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. For the period August 1, 2024 through August 31, 2024 the firm seeks $330,462.40 in compensation, being 80% of $413,078.00 in fees, and $1,449.96 in expense reimbursement. It reports 673.5 total hours at a blended rate of $613.33, with billing broken out by professional, by project category and by expense category. The application is brought under sections 330 and 331 of the Bankruptcy Code, Bankruptcy Rule 2016 and Local Rule 2016-2, and states an objection deadline of October 15, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. (ET).

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                 Case 24-11217-BLS              Doc 568        Filed 09/24/24        Page 1 of 13




                         IN THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT
                              FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE

                                                  )
    In re:                                        )    Chapter 11
                                                  )
    VYAIRE MEDICAL, INC., et al.,1                )    Case No. 24-11217 (BLS)
                                                  )
                             Debtors.             )    (Jointly Administered)
                                                  )
                                                  )    Hearing Date: Only if Objections are filed
                                                  )    Objection Deadline: October 15, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. (ET)

                   SUMMARY OF THIRD MONTHLY
          FEE APPLICATION OF COLE SCHOTZ P.C., DELAWARE
      CO-COUNSEL TO THE DEBTORS AND DEBTORS IN POSSESSION,
     FOR ALLOWANCE OF COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT OF
EXPENSES FOR THE PERIOD FROM AUGUST 1, 2024 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2024

Name of Applicant:                                     Cole Schotz, P.C.

Authorized to provide professional
services to:                                           Vyaire Medical, Inc., et al.

Date of retention:                                     July 30, 2024 (Effective as of June 9, 2024)
                                                       [Docket No. 333]

Period for which compensation
and reimbursement is sought:                           August 1, 2024 through August 31, 2024

Amount of compensation sought as
actual, reasonable and necessary:                      $330,462.40 (80% of $413,078.00)

Amount of expense reimbursement
sought as actual, reasonable and necessary: $1,449.96

This is a(n):                                           X monthly ___ interim ___ final application




1
      The last four digits of Debtor Vyaire Medical, Inc.’s federal tax identification number are 6495. A complete list
      of each of the Debtors in these chapter 11 cases and each such Debtor’s federal tax identification number may be
      obtained on the website of the Debtors’ claims and noticing agent at https://omniagentsolutions.com/Vyaire. The
      location of Debtor Vyaire Medical, Inc.’s principal place of business and the Debtors’ service address in these
      chapter 11 cases is 26125 North Riverwoods Boulevard, Mettawa, Illinois, USA 60045.
              Case 24-11217-BLS        Doc 568     Filed 09/24/24      Page 2 of 13




                              VYAIRE MEDICAL, INC., ET AL.

                         SUMMARY OF BILLING BY PROFESSIONAL
                         AUGUST 1, 2024 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2024

                            Year          Position       Hourly       Total Hours      Total
    Attorney Name
                           Admitted   (Department)     Billing Rate      Billed     Compensation
                                          Member
Michael D. Sirota            1986                       $1,475.00         6.4          $9,440.00
                                       (Bankruptcy)
                                          Member
Warren A. Usatine            1995     (Bankruptcy &     $1,150.00        10.4         $11,960.00
                                         Litigation)
                                          Member
Steven L. Klepper            1993                        $875.00         20.1         $17,587.50
                                        (Litigation)
                                          Member
J. Jeffrey Cash              2003                        $875.00          0.7            $612.50
                                        (Corporate)
                                          Member
Patrick J. Reilley           2003                        $805.00         72.9         $58,684.50
                                       (Bankruptcy)
                                          Member
Jason R. Melzer              2001                        $800.00         51.0         $40,800.00
                                        (Litigation)
                                          Member
Jamie Clare                  1994                        $780.00         33.4         $26,052.00
                                        (Litigation)
                                          Member
Stacy L. Newman              2007                        $725.00         51.1         $37,047.50
                                       (Bankruptcy)
                                          Member
Rachel A. Mongiello          2010                        $650.00         55.6         $36,140.00
                                        (Litigation)
                                          Member
Megan B. Kilzy               2010                        $625.00          3.8          $2,375.00
                                        (Litigation)
                                          Member
H.C. Jones, III              2016     (Bankruptcy &      $540.00          6.6          $3,564.00
                                         Litigation)
                                          Special
Jamie A. Quick               2001         Counsel        $620.00         30.7         $19,034.00
                                        (Litigation)
                                          Special
Brandon M. Fierro            2012         Counsel        $560.00          0.4            $224.00
                                        (Litigation)
                                         Associate
Andreas A. Apostolides       2013                        $580.00          3.2          $1,856.00
                                           (Tax)
                                         Associate
Ian R. Phillips              2015                        $550.00         34.7         $19,085.00
                                        (Litigation)
                                         Associate
Michael E. Fitzpatrick       2022                        $500.00        124.6         $62,300.00
                                       (Bankruptcy)
                                         Associate
Marian A. Bekheet            2015                        $480.00         17.3           $8,304.00
                                           (Tax)
                                         Associate
Arjun Padmanabhan            2022                        $385.00         17.5          $6,737.50
                                        (Litigation)
                                         Associate
Melissa M. Hartlipp          2022                        $385.00         13.3          $5,120.50
                                       (Bankruptcy)
            Case 24-11217-BLS      Doc 568         Filed 09/24/24      Page 3 of 13




                        Year         Position          Hourly        Total Hours       Total
   Attorney Name
                       Admitted   (Department)       Billing Rate       Billed      Compensation
                                     Associate
Dalila E. Haden          2023                          $350.00           19.2          $6,720.00
                                    (Litigation)
                                      Senior
Patt Feuerbach           N/A        eDiscovery         $435.00           11.2          $4,872.00
                                      Analyst
                                     Litigation
Amanda M. Cook           N/A          Support          $510.00           4.3           $2,193.00
                                     Specialist
                                     Paralegal
Larry S. Morton          N/A
                                   (Bankruptcy)
                                                       $380.00           78.9         $29,982.00
                                     Paralegal
Pauline Z. Ratkowiak     N/A
                                   (Bankruptcy)
                                                       $385.00           6.2           $2,387.00
                                                        TOTAL            673.5        $413,078.00
                                                                    Blended Rate:          $613.33




                                             3
             Case 24-11217-BLS         Doc 568   Filed 09/24/24   Page 4 of 13




                              VYAIRE MEDICAL, INC., ET AL.

                  SUMMARY OF BILLING BY PROJECT CATEGORY
                    AUGUST 1, 2024 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2024

              Project Category                   Monthly Hours         Monthly Fees

Asset Acquisitions/Business Combinations              0.7                        $1,032.50
Asset Dispositions, Sales, Uses, and Leases          146.7                  $81,558.50
Case Administration                                   37.3                   $26,209.50
Cash Collateral and DIP Financing                     11.1                    $6,989.00
Claims Analysis, Administration and Objections         0.9                   $1,041.50
Document Review                                        0.8                     $920.00
Document Review/Committee Investigation                0.6                     $690.00
Executory Contracts                                    7.4                   $3,976.50
Fee Application Matters/Objections                    23.7                  $12,235.50
General                                                1.8                     $693.00
Leases (Real Property)                                 7.5                   $3,688.00
Litigation/Gen. (Except Automatic Stay)               22.4                  $17,896.50
Other Investigative Matters                          211.8                 $136,286.50
Preparation for and Attendance at Hearings            66.8                  $39,029.00
Reorganization Plan                                   12.8                   $7,514.00
Reports, Statements and Schedules                      6.6                   $4,247.50
Retention Matters                                     15.4                   $7,948.50
Rule 2004 Motions and Subpoenas                       96.9                  $59,993.00
U.S. Trustee Matters and Meetings                     1.7                        646.00
Vendor Matters                                        0.6                        483.00
                    TOTAL                            673.5                  $413,078.00
            Case 24-11217-BLS     Doc 568      Filed 09/24/24      Page 5 of 13




                            VYAIRE MEDICAL, INC., ET AL.

                 SUMMARY OF BILLING BY EXPENSE CATEGORY
                   AUGUST 1, 2024 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2024

          Expense Category          Service Provider (if applicable)      Total Expenses
Photocopying/Printing/Scanning
                                                                                    $516.10
(5,161 pages @ $0.10 per page)
Delivery/Couriers                         Reliable/Parcels                           $67.00
Court Fees                              PACER Service Center                        $444.20
Datahost                                     Relativity                             $158.00
Transcripts                               Reliable/Parcels                          $230.05
Online Research                          Westlaw/LexisNexis                          $34.61
TOTAL                                                                             $1,449.96
                  Case 24-11217-BLS             Doc 568        Filed 09/24/24        Page 6 of 13




                         IN THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT
                              FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE

                                                  )
    In re:                                        )    Chapter 11
                                                  )
    VYAIRE MEDICAL, INC., et al.,2                )    Case No. 24-11217 (BLS)
                                                  )
                             Debtors.             )    (Jointly Administered)
                                                  )
                                                  )    Hearing Date: Only if Objections are filed
                                                  )    Objection Deadline: October 15, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. (ET)

                       THIRD MONTHLY FEE
           APPLICATION OF COLE SCHOTZ P.C., DELAWARE
      CO-COUNSEL TO THE DEBTORS AND DEBTORS IN POSSESSION,
     FOR ALLOWANCE OF COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT OF
EXPENSES FOR THE PERIOD FROM AUGUST 1, 2024 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2024

             Cole Schotz P.C. (the “Applicant” or “Cole Schotz”), Delaware co-counsel to Vyaire

Medical, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries, the debtors and debtors in possession in the above

captioned cases (collectively, the “Debtors”), hereby submits this third monthly fee application

(the “Application”) pursuant to (i) sections 330 and 331 of title 11 of the United State Code, 11

U.S.C. §§ 101-1532 (the “Bankruptcy Code”), (ii) Rule 2016 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy

Procedure (the “Bankruptcy Rules”), (iii) Rule 2016-2 of the Local Rules of Bankruptcy

Practice and Procedure of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware

(the “Local Rules”), and (iv) the Order (I) Establishing Procedures for Interim Compensation

and Reimbursement of Expenses for Retained Professionals and (II) Granting Related Relief

[Docket No. 218] (the “Interim Compensation Order”) for allowance of compensation for services

rendered and reimbursement of expenses for the period from August 1, 2024 through August 31,


2
      The last four digits of Debtor Vyaire Medical, Inc.’s federal tax identification number are 6495. A complete list
      of each of the Debtors in these chapter 11 cases and each such Debtor’s federal tax identification number may be
      obtained on the website of the Debtors’ claims and noticing agent at https://omniagentsolutions.com/Vyaire. The
      location of Debtor Vyaire Medical, Inc.’s principal place of business and the Debtors’ service address in these
      chapter 11 cases is 26125 North Riverwoods Boulevard, Mettawa, Illinois, USA 60045.
              Case 24-11217-BLS         Doc 568      Filed 09/24/24       Page 7 of 13




2024 (the “Application Period”).      In support of this Application, Cole Schotz respectfully

represents as follows:

                                     Jurisdiction and Venue

       1.      The United States District Court for the District of Delaware has jurisdiction over

this matter pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1334, which was referred to the United States Bankruptcy Court

for the District of Delaware (the “Court”) under 28 U.S.C. § 157 and the Amended Standing Order

of Reference from the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, dated February 29,

2012. The Debtors confirm their consent, pursuant to Local Rule 9013-1(f), to the entry of a final

order by the Court in connection with this Application to the extent that it is later determined that

the Court, absent consent of the parties, cannot enter final orders or judgments in connection

herewith consistent with Article III of the United States Constitution.

       2.      Venue is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 and 1409.

       3.      The statutory bases for the relief sought herein are sections 330 and 331 of the

Bankruptcy Code, Bankruptcy Rule 2016 and Local Rule 2016-2.

                                           Background

A.     The Chapter 11 Cases

       4.      On June 9, 2024 (the “Petition Date”), Vyaire Medical, Inc. and certain of its

subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for relief under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. The

Debtors are operating their business and managing their property as debtors in possession pursuant

to sections 1107(a) and 1108 of the Bankruptcy Code.

       5.      On June 11, 2024, the Court entered an order authorizing the procedural

consolidation and joint administration of these chapter 11 cases pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule

1015(b) and Local Rule 1015-1. See Docket No. 84.




                                                 7
             Case 24-11217-BLS         Doc 568      Filed 09/24/24    Page 8 of 13




       6.      No request for the appointment of a trustee or examiner has been made in these

chapter 11 cases.

       7.      On June 26, 2024, the Office of the United States Trustee for the District

of Delaware (the “U.S. Trustee”) appointed the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors

(the “Committee”). See Docket No. 121.

       8.      A detailed description of the Debtors and their business, including the facts and

circumstances giving rise to the Debtors’ chapter 11 cases, is set forth in the Declaration of John

Bibb, Group Chief Executive Officer of Vyaire Medical, Inc., in Support of Chapter 11 Petitions

and First Day Motions. See Docket No. 15.

B.     The Retention of Cole Schotz

       9.      On July 9, 2024, the Debtors applied to the Court for an order authorizing the

retention and employment of Cole Schotz as Debtors’ Delaware co-counsel effective as of the

Petition Date. See Docket No. 239. On July 30, 2024, the Court entered an order authorizing such

retention. See Docket No. 333.

C.     The Interim Compensation Order

       10.     The Interim Compensation Order sets forth the procedures for interim

compensation and reimbursement of expenses in these chapter 11 cases.            Specifically, the

Interim Compensation Order provides that on or after the twenty-first (21st) day of

each month following the month for which compensation is sought, each Professional

(as defined in the Interim Compensation Order) seeking compensation may file an application

(each, a “Monthly Fee Statement”) for interim allowance of compensation for services rendered

and reimbursement of expenses incurred during the preceding month. See Interim Compensation

Order ¶ 2(a). Provided that no objection to a Monthly Fee Statement is filed within twenty-one




                                                8
             Case 24-11217-BLS         Doc 568      Filed 09/24/24    Page 9 of 13




(21) days (or the next business day if such day is not a business day) following service of the

Monthly Fee Statement, the applicable Professional may file a certificate of no objection

(a “CNO”) with the Court with respect to the unopposed portion of the fees and expenses requested

in the Monthly Fee Statement. Id. ¶ 2(b). After a CNO is filed with the Court, the Debtors are

authorized to pay the Professional an amount equal to eighty percent (80%) of the fees and one

hundred percent (100%) of the expenses requested in the applicable Monthly Fee Statement. Id.

                                        Relief Requested

       11.     Pursuant to the Interim Compensation Order and section 331 of the Bankruptcy

Code, Cole Schotz is seeking compensation in the amount of $330,462.40, which is equal to eighty

percent (80%) of the $413,078.00 in fees for professional services rendered by Cole Schotz during

the Application Period. This amount is derived solely from the applicable hourly billing rates of

Cole Schotz personnel who rendered such services to the Debtors. In addition, Cole Schotz is

seeking reimbursement of expenses incurred during the Application Period in the amount of

$1,449.96.

A.     Compensation Requested

       12.     Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a detailed itemization, by project category, of all

services performed by Cole Schotz with respect to the chapter 11 cases during the Application

Period. This detailed itemization complies with Local Rule 2016-2(d) in that each time entry

contains a separate time allotment, a description of the type of activity and the subject matter of

the activity, all time is billed in increments of one-tenth of an hour, time entries are presented

chronologically in categories and all meetings or hearings are individually identified. See DEL.

BANKR. L.R. 2016-2(d).




                                                9
               Case 24-11217-BLS             Doc 568         Filed 09/24/24      Page 10 of 13




         13.      The attorneys and professionals who rendered services related to each category are

identified in Exhibit A, along with the number of hours for each individual and the total

compensation.

B.       Expense Reimbursement Requested

         14.      Cole Schotz incurred out-of-pocket expenses during the Application Period in the

amount of $1,449.96. Attached hereto as Exhibit B is a description of the expenses actually

incurred by Cole Schotz in the performance of services rendered as Delaware co-counsel to the

Debtors. The expenses are broken down into categories of charges, including, among other things,

the following charges: photocopying, scanning and printing, Court fees, transcription charges,

filing fees, meals and other non-ordinary expenses. See DEL. BANKR. L.R. 2016-2(e).3

                                            Valuation of Services

         15.      Attorneys and professionals of Cole Schotz have expended a total of 673.5 hours

in connection with this matter during the Application Period.

         16.      The amount of time spent by each of the Cole Schotz professionals providing

services to the Debtors for the Application Period is set forth in Exhibit A. The rates are Cole

Schotz’s normal hourly rates of compensation for work of this character. The reasonable value of

the services rendered by Cole Schotz for the Application Period as Delaware co-counsel to the

Debtors in these chapter 11 cases is $413,078.00.




3
     In accordance with Local Rule 2016-2(e)(iii), Cole Schotz does not charge more than $0.10 per page for
     photocopies, does not charge for incoming facsimile transmissions and does not charge more than $0.25 per page
     for outgoing facsimiles. Applicant does not surcharge for computerized research. DEL. BANKR. L.R.
     2016-2(e)(iii).



                                                        10
               Case 24-11217-BLS       Doc 568       Filed 09/24/24   Page 11 of 13




         17.    Cole Schotz believes that the time entries included in Exhibit A attached hereto

and the expense breakdown set forth in Exhibit B attached hereto comply with the requirements

of Local Rule 2016-2.

         18.    Cole Schotz itemized time records for professionals performing services for the

Debtors during the Application Period are attached hereto as Exhibit C.

         19.    In accordance with the factors enumerated in section 330 of the Bankruptcy Code,

the amounts requested by this Application are fair and reasonable given: (a) the complexity of

these chapter 11 cases, (b) the time expended, (c) the nature and extent of the services rendered,

(d) the value of such services, and I the costs of comparable services other than in a case under

this title.

                                              Notice

         20.    Cole Schotz will provide notice and serve this Application on the Application

Recipients (as defined and set forth in the Interim Compensation Order). In light of the nature of

the relief requested in this Application, Cole Schotz submits that no other or further notice is

required.

                                        No Prior Request

         21.    No prior request for the relief sought in the Application has been made to this or

any other court.

                            Certification of Compliance and Waiver

         22.    The undersigned representative of Cole Schotz certifies that he has reviewed the

requirements of Local Rule 2016-2, and that the Application substantially complies with that Local

Rule. To the extent that the Application does not comply in all respects with the requirements of




                                                11
             Case 24-11217-BLS         Doc 568        Filed 09/24/24    Page 12 of 13




Local Rule 2016-2, Cole Schotz believes that such deviations are not material and respectfully

requests that any such requirements be waived.

                                           Conclusion

       WHEREFORE,         Cole    Schotz   respectfully    requests    (i)   interim   allowance   of

(a) compensation in the amount of $330,462.40 (80% of $413,078.00) for professional services

rendered and (b) reimbursement for actual and necessary costs in the amount of $1,449.96;

(ii) payment by the Debtors of the foregoing amounts; and (iii) such other and further relief as the

Court deems just and proper.



                          [Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]




                                                 12
                       Case 24-11217-BLS           Doc 568    Filed 09/24/24     Page 13 of 13



Dated: September 24, 2024
Wilmington, Delaware

 /s/ Patrick J. Reilley
  COLE SCHOTZ P.C.                                            KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP
  Patrick J. Reilley, Esq. (No. 4451)                         KIRKLAND & ELLIS INTERNATIONAL LLP
  500 Delaware Avenue, Suite 1410                             Joshua A. Sussberg, P.C. (admitted pro hac vice)
  Wilmington, Delaware 19801                                  601 Lexington Ave
  Telephone:       (302) 652-3131                             New York, New York 10022
  Facsimile:       (302) 652-3117                             Telephone:    (212) 446-4800
  Email:           preilley@coleschotz.com                    Facsimile:    (212) 446-4900
                                                              Email:        joshua.sussberg@kirkland.com
 - and -
                                                              - and -
 Michael D. Sirota, Esq. (admitted pro hac vice)
 Warren A. Usatine, Esq (admitted pro hac vice)               Spencer A. Winters, P.C. (admitted pro hac vice)
 Court Plaza North, 25 Main Street                            Yusuf U. Salloum (admitted pro hac vice)
 Hackensack, New Jersey 07601                                 333 West Wolf Point Plaza
 Telephone:     (201) 489-3000                                Chicago, Illinois 60654
 Facsimile:     (201) 489-1536                                Telephone:      (312) 862-2000
 Email:         msirota@coleschotz.com                        Facsimile:      (312) 862-2200
                wusatine@coleschotz.com                       Email:          spencer.winters@kirkland.com
                                                                              yusuf.salloum@kirkland.com


 Co-Counsel to the Debtors                                    Co-Counsel to the Debtors
 and Debtors in Possession                                    and Debtors in Possession




                                                         13


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