Joining the Tenth Circuit, the Ninth Circuit also has held that chapter 13 trustees are not paid their fees when cases are dismissed before confirmation. The identical issue was argued on February 15 before the Second Circuit.
In short order, we’ll have either unanimity or a split of circuits. A split will give rise to an issue worthy of a grant of certiorari by the Supreme Court.
Notably, the Ninth Circuit’s opinion on June 12 adopted reasoning in an amicus brief filed in support of the debtor by the National Consumer Bankruptcy Rights Center and National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.
In September, the Ninth Circuit held that the Equal Access to Justice Act does not allow debtors to recover attorneys’ fees for reversing the bankruptcy court’s sua sponte denial of confirmation of a.....
Quoting the late Burton R. Lifland, whom he called a “renowned, former bankruptcy judge,” Bankruptcy Judge Alan S. Trust of Central Islip, N.Y., ruled that a secured creditor is not entitled to.....
Taking sides on an issue where the courts are divided, Bankruptcy Judge Robert E. Grossman of Central Islip, N.Y., decided that a chapter 13 trustee is entitled to retain his or her statutory fee even.....
In Acevedo, the Supreme Court banned nunc pro tunc orders as they were often used by bankruptcy courts. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher D. Jaime of Sacramento, Calif., explained why Acevedo did not bar.....
For an egregious violation of the automatic stay that “severely injured” the debtor, Chief Bankruptcy Judge Laura T. Beyer of Charlotte, N.C., imposed $260,000 in sanctions, given that the lender’s.....
Under the Equal Access to Justice Act, or EAJA, someone who prevails over the federal government in litigation is entitled to the recovery of attorneys’ fees and expenses.
However, the Ninth Circuit.....
In several circuits, complete disgorgement is the default sanction for a debtor’s attorney’s failure to disclose fee arrangements and payments.
To impose any lesser sanction requires “sound reasons.....
Another Workaround Following the Prohibition of Nunc Pro Tunc Orders
Even though the Supreme Court has virtually prohibited the entry of orders nunc pro tunc, a bankruptcy court is not precluded from.....
When the sweeping language of a landmark Supreme Court opinion conflicted with the statute, Chief Bankruptcy Judge Phillip J. Shefferly of Detroit followed the statute.
In Harris v. Viegelahn, 575 U.S.....
On an issue where the courts are split, Chief Bankruptcy Judge Joseph M. Meier of Boise, Idaho, decided that a chapter 13 trustee is entitled to no fee if the case is dismissed before confirmation.
Th.....