Robert J. Faris

Judge Court District of Hawaii
9th Circuit Jun 11, 2025

State Bar Disciplinary Proceedings Aren’t Barred by the Automatic Stay or Discharge

A BAP decision raises the question of whether Ninth Circuit authority has been implicitly overruled by Supreme Court decisions.
9th Circuit May 7, 2025

How to Liquidate a Secured Lender’s Collateral and Still Get Paid

To liquidate an underwater lender’s collateral, there must be a carveout giving unsecured creditors a ‘meaningful distribution.’
9th Circuit Hawaii Dec 17, 2024

Debt Held Nondischargeable as to Someone Who Didn’t Commit a Defalcation

Bartenwerfer held to make a debt nondischargeable as to someone who was neither a partner nor an agent.
9th Circuit Nov 25, 2024

For Nondischargeability, a Bankruptcy Court Can Find a Securities Law Violation

A decision from a state or federal court before bankruptcy finding a securities law violation isn’t required for nondischargeability under Section 523(a)(19).
9th Circuit Nov 12, 2024

BAP Rejects Due Process Attack for Denial of ‘13’ Trustee Fees on Dismissal

Ninth Circuit BAP says there is no due process problem with denial of chapter 13 trustee fees if dismissal precedes confirmation.
9th Circuit Nov 13, 2023

‘13’ Debtors May Bifurcate Mortgages that Mature Before the Final Plan Payment

The Ninth Circuit BAP says that a later valuation can make a debtor eligible for chapter 13 when the original schedules meant ineligibility.
9th Circuit Nov 2, 2022

Claiming ‘100% of FMV,' Debtors Keep Postpetition Appreciation in Exempt Assets

Ninth Circuit BAP interprets Taylor and Schwab to mean that a trustee cannot revisit the value of an exempt asset if the debtor claimed ‘100% of FMV’ and there was no timely objection.
9th Circuit Oct 21, 2022

Even if Ineligible for Chapter 13, the Debtor Still Has an Absolute Right to Dismiss

The Ninth Circuit BAP interprets circuit authority as giving a chapter 13 debtor the absolute right to dismiss.
9th Circuit Hawaii Jan 26, 2022

Chapter 13 Plan that Cures Arrears Pays Interest on Unpaid Principal, Judge Faris Says

Interest, if any, due on arrears cured under a plan derives from the loan documents and state law.
9th Circuit Nov 10, 2021

No Duty to Release an Attachment After Fulton, Ninth Circuit BAP Says

The BAP decision may have a hint that failure to stop proceedings after bankruptcy can be an automatic stay violation, even after Fulton.