This case involved a claim by a real estate developer that a competitor had engaged in vexatious litigation and violated the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act in connection with certain proceedings in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut.  On appeal, Halloran & Sage successfully argued that the plaintiff's claims were federally preempted, because the plaintiff could have, but did not, bring the claims in the bankruptcy court.  The decision represents one of the broadest applications by a state appellate court of the doctrine of federal preemption to state law claims.