Federal bankruptcy judge

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A federal bankruptcy judge is a judicial officer of a United States district court who is appointed by the majority of judges of the U.S. court of appeals to which his or her specific district court is attached. Bankruptcy judges exercise jurisdiction over bankruptcy matters. The number of bankruptcy judges is determined by Congress. Bankruptcy judges are appointed for renewable 14-year terms.[1]

As of September 2012, there are 350 authorized bankruptcy judgeships, including 34 temporary judgeships.[2]

Congress receives periodic advice on the number of bankruptcy judges needed from the Judicial Conference of the United States.

## Contents

* 1 History of bankruptcy judgeships
* 1.1 Temporary Bankruptcy Judgeships Extension Act of 2012
* 2 Current judgeships
* 3 Alabama
* 4 Alaska
* 5 Arizona
* 6 Arkansas
* 7 California
* 8 Colorado
* 9 Connecticut
* 10 Delaware
* 11 Florida
* 12 Georgia
* 13 Hawaii
* 14 Idaho
* 15 Illinois
* 16 Indiana
* 17 Iowa
* 18 Kansas
* 19 Kentucky
* 20 Louisiana
* 21 Maine
* 22 Maryland
* 23 Massachusetts
* 24 Michigan
* 25 Minnesota
* 26 Mississippi
* 27 Missouri
* 28 Montana
* 29 Nebraska
* 30 Nevada
* 31 New Hampshire
* 32 New Jersey
* 33 New Mexico
* 34 New York
* 35 North Carolina
* 36 North Dakota
* 37 Ohio
* 38 Oklahoma
* 39 Oregon
* 40 Pennsylvania
* 41 Puerto Rico
* 42 Rhode Island
* 43 South Carolina
* 44 South Dakota
* 45 Tennessee
* 46 Texas
* 47 Utah
* 48 Vermont
* 49 Virginia
* 50 Washington
* 51 West Virginia
* 52 Wisconsin
* 53 Wyoming
* 53.1 Types of bankruptcy
* 53.1.1 Chapter 7
* 53.1.2 Chapter 11
* 53.1.3 Chapter 13
* 53.1.4 Chapter 9
* 53.1.5 Chapter 12
* 53.1.6 Chapter 15
* 53.2 Judicial Conference
* 53.3 Salary
* 53.4 See also
* 53.5 External links
* 53.6 Footnotes

## History of bankruptcy judgeships[edit]

The position of bankruptcy judge was established by Congress in 1978 as part of broad legislation that reorganized the nation’s bankruptcy system (92 Stat. 2657). Under the Bankruptcy Act of 1898, referees appointed by district judges oversaw the administration of bankruptcy cases in the district courts, and a series of subsequent acts increased the judicial duties of the referees.

In 1973, the Supreme Court issued rules that recognized the importance of these judicial duties and applied the title of "bankruptcy judge" to the referees. Also in 1973, the congressionally chartered Commission on Bankruptcy Laws of the United States recommended the formal establishment of bankruptcy judgeships to preside over judicial proceedings related to bankruptcy in courts that would be independent of the U.S. district courts. The commission called for the appointment of executive branch officers to carry out administrative responsibilities related to bankruptcy cases.

Over the next five years, Congress considered a range of bills to establish bankruptcy courts with their own judges. Much of the debate concerned the method of appointment and terms of service for bankruptcy judges. The Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 established bankruptcy courts in each judicial district, with bankruptcy judges appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate for terms of fourteen years. The act relieved the bankruptcy judges of the administrative duties of the referee system and established a pilot program for U.S. trustees who would assume these responsibilities. The act also set a transition period within which those appointed under the referee system would continue in office until March 31, 1984, or until a successor took office. Upon full implementation of the act in 1984, two bankruptcy judges were to serve on the Judicial Conference of the United States.

### Temporary Bankruptcy Judgeships Extension Act of 2012[edit]

29 previously-existing temporary bankruptcy judgeships were set to expire within months of May 2012. Many of these temporary positions, approved for five-year terms, were created in 2005 to deal with an increase in bankruptcy filings. H.R. 4967, or the Temporary Bankruptcy Judgeships Extension Act of 2012, signed by Obama on May 31, 2012, extends these judgeships for another five years.[3]

## Current judgeships[edit]

# Alabama[edit]

Northern District of Alabama

1. Tamara O. Mitchell (Federal judge)
2. James J. Robinson (Federal judge)
3. Jennifer H. Henderson
4. Clifton R. Jessup, Jr.
5. D. Sims Crawford

Middle District of Alabama

1. Bess Parrish Creswell
2. Christopher Hawkins

Southern District of Alabama

1. Jerry C. Oldshue, Jr.
2. Henry A. Callaway

# Alaska[edit]

District of Alaska

1. Gary Allan Spraker

# Arizona[edit]

District of Arizona

1. Eddward Ballinger, Jr.
2. Brenda Moody Whinery
3. Daniel Collins (Arizona)
4. Madeleine C. Wanslee
5. Paul Sala
6. Scott H. Gan
7. Brenda K. Martin

# Arkansas[edit]

The Eastern District of Arkansas and Western District of Arkansas are managed jointly.

1. Richard D. Taylor
2. Phyllis M. Jones
3. Bianca Rucker

# California[edit]

Central District of California

1. Deborah Saltzman
2. Vincent P. Zurzolo
3. Theodor C. Albert
4. Sheri Bluebond
5. Victoria S. Kaufman
6. Erithe A. Smith
7. Maureen A. Tighe
8. Scott C. Clarkson
9. Wayne E. Johnson
10. Neil W. Bason
11. Julia W. Brand
12. Mark D. Houle
13. Geraldine Mund
14. Ernest M. Robles
15. Barry Russell
16. Scott H. Yun
17. Martin R. Barash
18. Alan M. Ahart
19. Magdalena Reyes Bordeaux
20. Ronald Clifford

Eastern District of California

1. Christopher Klein
2. Ronald H. Sargis
3. Christopher D. Jaime
4. Rene Lastreto
5. Jennifer Niemann

Northern District of California

1. Roger L. Efremsky
2. Dennis Montali
3. Hannah L. Blumenstiel
4. Mary Elaine Hammond
5. Stephen L. Johnson (Federal judge)
6. William Lafferty (North Carolina)
7. Charles Novack

Southern District of California

1. Laura S. Taylor
2. Christopher B. Latham

# Colorado[edit]

District of Colorado

1. Elizabeth E. Brown
2. Michael E. Romero
3. Tom McNamara
4. Joseph G. Rosania, Jr.
5. Cathleen D. Parker
6. Kimberley Tyson
7. Sidney B. Brooks

# Connecticut[edit]

District of Connecticut

1. Julie A. Manning
2. James J. Tancredi
3. Ann M. Nevins

# Delaware[edit]

District of Delaware

1. Brendan L. Shannon
2. Mary F. Walrath
3. Laurie Selber Silverstein
4. John Dorsey
5. Karen Owens
6. Ashely M. Chan
7. Kate Stickles
8. Craig Goldblatt

# Florida[edit]

Middle District of Florida

1. Caryl E. Delano
2. Catherine Peek McEwen
3. Michael G. Williamson
4. Roberta A. Colton
5. Lori Vaughan
6. Grace Robson
7. Jacob Brown

Northern District of Florida

1. Karen K. Specie
2. Jerry C. Oldshue, Jr.
3. Henry A. Callaway

Southern District of Florida

1. A. Jay Cristol
2. Erik P. Kimball
3. Robert A. Mark
4. Laurel M. Isicoff
5. Mindy Mora
6. Scott Grossman
7. Paul G. Hyman
8. Peter Russin

# Georgia[edit]

Middle District of Georgia

1. John T. Laney
2. Austin E. Carter

Northern District of Georgia

1. Paul W. Bonapfel
2. Barbara Ellis-Monro
3. James R. Sacca
4. Paul M. Baisier
5. Lisa Ritchey Craig
6. Jeffery Cavender
7. Sage Sigler

Southern District of Georgia

1. Susan D. Barrett
2. Edward J. Coleman, III
3. Michele Kim

# Hawaii[edit]

District of Hawaii

1. Robert J. Faris
2. Lloyd King

# Idaho[edit]

District of Idaho

1. Noah Hillen

# Illinois[edit]

Central District of Illinois

1. Thomas L. Perkins
2. William Altenberger
3. Mary P. Gorman
4. Peter Henderson

Northern District of Illinois

1. A. Benjamin Goldgar
2. Jacqueline P. Cox
3. Carol A. Doyle
4. Thomas M. Lynch (United States Bankruptcy Court judge)
5. Timothy A. Barnes
6. Deborah L. Thorne
7. David Cleary (Illinois)

Southern District of Illinois

1. Kenneth J. Meyers
2. William Altenberger
3. Mary Lopinot

# Indiana[edit]

Northern District of Indiana

1. Robert E. Grant
2. James Ahler
3. Paul Singleton

Southern District of Indiana

1. Robyn L. Moberly
2. James Carr (Indiana)
3. Jeffrey J. Graham (Indiana)
4. Andrea K. McCord

# Iowa[edit]

Northern District of Iowa

1. Thad J. Collins

Southern District of Iowa

1. Lee M. Jackwig
2. Anita L. Shodeen

# Kansas[edit]

District of Kansas

1. Dale L. Somers
2. Robert D. Berger
3. Mitchell Herren

# Kentucky[edit]

Eastern District of Kentucky

1. Gregory R. Schaaf
2. Doug Lutz

Western District of Kentucky

1. Joan A. Lloyd
2. Charles Merrill

# Louisiana[edit]

Eastern District of Louisiana

1. Meredith Grabill

Western District of Louisiana

1. John W. Kolwe
2. John Hodge (Louisiana)
3. Stephen Wheelis

Middle District of Louisiana

1. Douglas D. Dodd

# Maine[edit]

District of Maine

1. Peter G. Cary
2. Michael A. Fagone

# Maryland[edit]

District of Maryland

1. Nancy V. Alquist
2. Thomas J. Catliota
3. David E. Rice
4. Lori S. Simpson
5. Michelle M. Harner
6. Wendelin I Lipp
7. Maria Ellena Chavez-Ruark

# Massachusetts[edit]

District of Massachusetts

1. Henry J. Boroff
2. Christopher J. Panos
3. Elizabeth D. Katz
4. Janet Bostwick (Massachusetts)

# Michigan[edit]

Eastern District of Michigan

1. Mark Randon
2. Daniel S. Opperman
3. Thomas J. Tucker
4. Maria L. Oxholm
5. Joel Applebaum
6. Lisa Gretchko

Western District of Michigan

1. Scott W. Dales
2. James W. Boyd
3. John T. Gregg (Michigan)

# Minnesota[edit]

District of Minnesota

1. Michael E. Ridgway
2. Katherine A. Constantine
3. William J. Fisher

# Mississippi[edit]

Northern District of Mississippi

1. Jason D. Woodard
2. Selene Maddox

Southern District of Mississippi

1. Katharine Malley Samson
2. Jamie Wilson

# Missouri[edit]

Eastern District of Missouri

1. Barry S. Schermer
2. Kathy Surratt-States
3. Bonnie Clair

Western District of Missouri

1. Dennis R. Dow
2. Cynthia A. Norton
3. Brian T. Fenimore

# Montana[edit]

District of Montana

1. Benjamin Philip Hursh

# Nebraska[edit]

District of Nebraska

1. Thomas L. Saladino
2. Brian Kruse

# Nevada[edit]

District of Nevada

1. Mike Nakagawa
2. August B. Landis
3. Natalie Cox

# New Hampshire[edit]

District of New Hampshire

1. Kimberly Bacher

# New Jersey[edit]

District of New Jersey

1. Michael B. Kaplan
2. Christine M. Gravelle
3. Andrew B. Altenburg, Jr.
4. Stacey L. Meisel
5. Vincent F. Papalia
6. Jerrold N. Poslusny
7. John K. Sherwood
8. Mark Hall (New Jersey)

# New Mexico[edit]

District of New Mexico

1. Robert H. Jacobvitz
2. David T. Thuma

# New York[edit]

Western District of New York

1. Carl L. Bucki
2. Michael J. Kaplan

Eastern District of New York

1. Elizabeth S. Stong
2. Alan S. Trust
3. Robert E. Grossman
4. Louis A. Scarcella
5. Jil Mazer-Marino

Southern District of New York

1. Martin Glenn
2. Cecelia G. Morris
3. Sean H. Lane
4. James Garrity (New York)
5. Robert E. Grossman
6. Michael E. Wiles
7. David Jones (New York bankruptcy judge)
8. Lisa Beckerman

Northern District of New York

1. Robert E. Littlefield
2. Wendy Kinsella

# North Carolina[edit]

Western District of North Carolina

1. Laura T. Beyer
2. J. Craig Whitley

Eastern District of North Carolina

1. David M. Warren
2. Joseph N. Callaway
3. Pamela W. McAfee (North Carolina)

Middle District of North Carolina

1. Benjamin A. Kahn
2. Lena M. James

# North Dakota[edit]

District of North Dakota

1. Shon Hastings

# Ohio[edit]

Southern District of Ohio

1. Guy R. Humphrey
2. John E. Hoffman, Jr.
3. C. Kathryn Preston
4. Beth Buchanan
5. Mina Nami Khorrami

Northern District of Ohio

1. Arthur I. Harris
2. Russ Kendig
3. Mary Ann Whipple
4. Jessica E. Price Smith
5. John P. Gustafson
6. Alan M. Koschik
7. Tiiara Patton

# Oklahoma[edit]

Eastern District of Oklahoma

Northern District of Oklahoma

Western District of Oklahoma

1. Sarah A. Hall
2. Janice Loyd
3. Niles L. Jackson

# Oregon[edit]

District of Oregon

1. Thomas M. Renn
2. David W. Hercher
3. Peter C. McKittrick
4. Teresa Pearson

# Pennsylvania[edit]

Eastern District of Pennsylvania

1. Eric L. Frank
2. Magdeline D. Coleman
3. Ashely M. Chan
4. Patricia Mayer
5. Richard E. Fehling

Middle District of Pennsylvania

1. Henry W. Van Eck
2. Mark Conway (Pennsylvania)

Western District of Pennsylvania

1. Thomas P. Agresti
2. Jeffery A. Deller
3. Gregory L. Taddonio
4. Carlota Bohm

# Puerto Rico[edit]

District of Puerto Rico

1. Enrique S. Lamoutte
2. Mildred Cabán
3. Maria de los Angeles Gonzalez

# Rhode Island[edit]

District of Rhode Island

1. Diane Finkle

# South Carolina[edit]

District of South Carolina

1. Helen Elizabeth Burris
2. David Duncan (South Carolina)
3. John E. Waites

# South Dakota[edit]

District of South Dakota

1. Charles L. Nail, Jr.

# Tennessee[edit]

Eastern District of Tennessee

1. Suzanne H. Bauknight
2. Nicholas W. Whittenburg

Middle District of Tennessee

1. Marian F. Harrison
2. Randal S. Mashburn
3. Charles M. Walker

Western District of Tennessee

1. Jennie D. Latta
2. James L. Croom
3. Ruthie Hagan
4. Denise Barnett

# Texas[edit]

Western District of Texas

1. Ronald B. King
2. Craig A. Gargotta
3. Tony M. Davis
4. H. Christopher Mott
5. Michael Parker (Texas)

Eastern District of Texas

1. Brenda Rhoades
2. Joshua Searcy

Southern District of Texas

1. Marvin Isgur
2. Eduardo V. Rodriguez
3. Jeffrey P. Norman
4. Edward Morris (Texas)
5. Christopher Lopez (United States bankruptcy court judge)

Northern District of Texas

1. Robert L. Jones (Texas federal bankruptcy court judge)
2. Stacey G.C. Jernigan
3. Harlin D. Hale
4. Mark X. Mullin
5. Michelle Larson
6. Edward Morris (Texas)

# Utah[edit]

District of Utah

1. Joel T. Marker
2. Kevin R. Anderson (Utah)

# Vermont[edit]

District of Vermont

1. Colleen A. Brown

# Virginia[edit]

Western District of Virginia

1. Rebecca Connelly
2. Paul M. Black

Eastern District of Virginia

1. Stephen C. St. John
2. Frank J. Santoro
3. Kevin R. Huennekens
4. Brian F. Kenney
5. Keith L. Phillips
6. Klinette H. Kindred

# Washington[edit]

Western District of Washington

1. Timothy W. Dore
2. Christopher M. Alston
3. Mary Jo Heston

Eastern District of Washington

1. Frederick P. Corbit
2. Whitman Holt

# West Virginia[edit]

Southern District of West Virginia

1. B. McKay Mignault

Northern District of West Virginia

1. David Bissett

# Wisconsin[edit]

Eastern District of Wisconsin

1. G. Michael Halfenger
2. Beth E. Hanan
3. Rachel Blise
4. Katherine Maloney Perhach

Western District of Wisconsin

1. Catherine J. Furay

# Wyoming[edit]

District of Wyoming

1. Cathleen D. Parker

## Types of bankruptcy[edit]

Most bankruptcy cases are filed under one of three main chapters of the Bankruptcy Code: Chapter 7, Chapter 11, or Chapter 13.[4]

Common Types of Bankruptcy

### Chapter 7[edit]

Under Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a trustee appointed to the case sells the debtor's nonexempt assets and uses the money to pay the creditors. Exemptions vary from state to state, but can include items such as a home, motor vehicles or jewelry up to a certain value, "reasonably necessary" amounts of clothing and household furnishings, and pensions.[5][6]

### Chapter 11[edit]

Chapter 11 bankruptcy is frequently referred to as "reorganization" because it allows businesses and partnerships to propose a plan to pay off their creditors over time while keeping the business alive.[7]

### Chapter 13[edit]

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is also called the "wage earner's plan." It allows individuals to create a plan to repay all or some of their debt within three to five years. Chapter 13 allows an individual to save their home from foreclosure.[8]

In rarer cases, these chapters of the Bankruptcy Code are used: Chapter, 9, Chapter 12, or Chapter 15.

### Chapter 9[edit]

Chapter 9 bankruptcy exists for municipal reorganization, and is intended to offer municipalities protection from their creditors while they reorganize and negotiate their debts. Unlike other chapters of the Bankruptcy Code, there is no requirement for municipalities to liquidate their assets.[9]

### Chapter 12[edit]

"Family Farmer or Family Fisherman" bankruptcy in Chapter 12 of the Bankruptcy Code covers farmers and fishermen with regular income to repay debts in a three to five year framework, depending on the case. Cheaper and more streamlined than Chapter 11, it is intended for small operations, not large corporations.[10]

### Chapter 15[edit]

The newest chapter in the Bankruptcy Code, Chapter 15 was added by the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005. It exists to aid in bankruptcy cases involving more than one country.[11]

## Judicial Conference[edit]

As of February 2013, there is one federal bankruptcy judge on the Judicial Conference of the United States. Judge Michael E. Romero, from the District of Colorado, is an Observer of the conference.The Judicial Conference is responsible for all "policy with regard to the administration of the U.S. courts." This includes making periodic recommendations to Congress on the number of bankruptcy judges needed.[12]

## Salary[edit]

As of 2012, federal bankruptcy judges earn $160,100 per year. Since October 1988, the salary of federal bankruptcy judges has been set at 92 percent of the salary of district judges. The following table shows federal bankruptcy judge salaries over time:[13][14]

Federal Bankruptcy Judge Salaries: 1978 - Present

Year  | Salary
1978  | $50,000
1979  | $53,500
1982  | $58,500
1983  | $63,600
1984  | $66,100
1985  | $68,400
1987  | $70,500
1988  | $72,500
1989  | $82,300
1990  | $88,800
1991  | $115,100
1992  | $119,100
1993  | $122,900
1994  | $122,900
1995  | $122,900
1996  | $122,900
1997  | $122,900
1998  | $125,700
1999  | $125,700
2000  | $130,000
2001  | $133,500
2002  | $138,000
2003  | $142,300
2004  | $145,400
2005  | $149,100
2006  | $152,000
2007  | $152,000
2008  | $155,700
2009  | $160,100
2010  | $160,100
2011  | $160,100
2012  | $160,100

## See also[edit]

* Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978
* Notable federal judicial legislation

## External links[edit]

* History of U.S. bankruptcy judges
* A Journalist's Guide to the federal bankruptcy courts
* Cornell Law School, Legal Information Institute: Appointment of Bankruptcy Judges

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ U.S. Courts, "Frequently Asked Questions"
2. ↑ "History of the Federal Judiciary"
3. ↑ U.S. Courts, " Temporary Bankruptcy Judgeship Bill Passes," accessed June 27, 2013
4. ↑ uscourts.gov, "Bankruptcy," accessed June 24, 2013
5. ↑ bankruptcy.findlaw.com, "Exempt vs. Non-exempt Property Under Chapter 7," accessed June 24, 2013
6. ↑ uscourts.gov, "Chapter 7," accessed June 24, 2013
7. ↑ uscourts.gov, "Chapter 11," accessed June 24, 2013
8. ↑ uscourts.gov, "Chapter 13," accessed June 24, 2013
9. ↑ "uscourts.gove," "Chapter 9," accessed June 25, 2013
10. ↑ "uscourts.gov," "Chapter 12," accessed June 25, 2013
11. ↑ "uscourts.gov," "Chapter 15," accessed June 25, 2013
12. ↑ uscourts.gov, "Membership," accessed June 18, 2013
13. ↑ fjc.gov, "Judicial Salaries - U.S. Bankruptcy Judges," accessed June 18, 2013
14. ↑ uscourts.gov, "Judicial Salaries since 1968," accessed June 18, 2013

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