Bankruptcy Law - Whether the Bankruptcy Court had the Statutory Authority Under 28 U.S.C. § 157(b) to Issue a Final Judgment on a Tortious Interference Counterclaim, and Whether Such Authority is Constitutional.

Vickie Lynn Marshall a/k/a Anna Nicole Smith was married to a wealthy elderly oil and gas magnate.  After the magnate's death, his son maintained that his father did not intend to bequeath any of his estate to Vickie.  She filed for personal bankruptcy and the son lodged a claim for defamation in the bankruptcy proceedings.  She lodged a counterclaim for tortious interference by the son in guiding his father not to provide for an inheritance for her.  The Bankruptcy Court took jurisdiction over "core proceedings" under Title 11 of the U.S. Code and adjudicated the tortious interference claim.    The U.S. Supreme Court disagreed, saying that Article III of the U.S. Constitution did not allow the Bankruptcy Court to take jurisdiction.  

Read the case note in Related Content, below.  Read the full case HERE.