Robert E. Grossman

Judge Court Eastern District of New York

Buying a Claim Carries with It the Right to Assert Nondischargeability

Joining the majority of courts, Judge Grossman says that the debtor’s conduct, not the identity of the holder of the claim, determines nondischargeability.

In ‘Chapter 20,’ Discharged Mortgage Claim Resurrects as Unsecured, EDNY Judge Says

Judge Grossman didn’t abolish ‘chapter 20’ entirely. He required the debtor to treat the subordinate mortgage lender like all other unsecured creditors, even though the debtor’s personal liability to the lender had been discharged in the prior chapter 7 case.

Treble Damages for ‘Willfulness’ Won’t Automatically Result in Nondischargeability

The lack of specific findings of fact by the arbitrator meant that a treble damage award for willful breach of contract was dischargeable.

Courts Split on Paying Chapter 13 Trustee Fees in Cases Dismissed Before Confirmation

Long Island judge finds no ambiguity in two statutes that other courts have found ambiguous when read together.

On a Split, Long Island Judge Allows Selling a Home Despite the Homeowner’s Objection

A homestead exemption does not bar selling a home when the chapter 7 debtor has no equity in the property, Judge Robert Grossman says.

May a Bankruptcy Court Annul the Automatic Stay after Acevedo?

Bankruptcy Judge Grossman explores the extent to which the Supreme Court’s Acevedo decision bars courts from granting relief retroactively.

Technicalities Insulated a Lawyer from Liability for Misusing an IOLA

A creditor lost a dischargeability suit by failing to call the right witnesses to prove that a lawyer’s trust account was used to hide assets.