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    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.

    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
    3. Jennifer H. Henderson
    4. Clifton R. Jessup, Jr.
    5. D. Sims Crawford

    Middle District of Alabama

    1. William R. Sawyer
    2. Bess Parrish Creswell

    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. Mark S. Wallace
    9. Scott C. Clarkson
    10. Wayne E. Johnson
    11. Neil W. Bason
    12. Julia W. Brand
    13. Mark D. Houle
    14. Sandra R. Klein
    15. Geraldine Mund
    16. Ernest M. Robles
    17. Barry Russell
    18. Scott H. Yun
    19. Martin R. Barash
    20. Alan M. Ahart
    21. Magdalena Reyes Bordeaux
    22. Ronald Clifford

    Eastern District of California

    1. Christopher Klein
    2. Frederick E. Clement
    3. Ronald H. Sargis
    4. Christopher D. Jaime
    5. Rene Lastreto
    6. 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. Louise Adler
    2. Laura S. Taylor
    3. 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

    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. Janet S. Baer
    6. Timothy A. Barnes
    7. Donald R. Cassling
    8. Deborah L. Thorne
    9. David Cleary (Illinois)

    Southern District of Illinois

    1. Kenneth J. Meyers
    2. William Altenberger

    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. Alan Stout (Kentucky)
    3. 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
    4. Kesha Tanabe

    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. Bruce A. Harwood

    New Jersey[edit]

    District of New Jersey

    1. Rosemary Gambardella
    2. Kathryn C. Ferguson
    3. Michael B. Kaplan
    4. Christine M. Gravelle
    5. Andrew B. Altenburg, Jr.
    6. Stacey L. Meisel
    7. Vincent F. Papalia
    8. Jerrold N. Poslusny
    9. John K. Sherwood

    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
    3. Paul R. Warren

    Eastern District of New York

    1. Elizabeth S. Stong
    2. Alan S. Trust
    3. Robert E. Grossman
    4. Nancy Hershey Lord
    5. Louis A. Scarcella
    6. 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

    1. Terrence L. Michael
    2. Dana L. Rasure

    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. Edward A. Godoy
    4. 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)
    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]

    External links[edit]

    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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