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Chambers' Bulletins
09/2005

Judges' Corner
Wed, 9/28/2005 - 5:00 am


Tammi Hellwig will begin her duties as Chief Deputy Clerk of Court on October 3, 2005, after serving with Judge Waites since July 2003.


Tammi returned to South Carolina in 2002 with her husband Brandt’s appointment as a tax professor at the USC Law School. She had previously served as law clerk to four different bankruptcy judges in North Carolina, Maryland and New York, all of whom highly recommended her as law clerk and for appointment to a management position within the Clerk’s office. She also had experience in the private practice of law with the Womble Carlyle law firm in North Carolina.


Her experience with other judges, court systems and bars has allowed her to contribute new ideas and perspective to our court. Her thorough writing and research skills and her dedication to details have assisted this Court during its busiest years. She has authored a number of the Court’s most important and complicated decisions.


Tammi has exhibited professionalism in all respects and has been heavily involved in court administrative matters, including serving as the primary scrivener of our present Local Rules and Guidelines for Filing of Documents. Her calm, industrious and organized approach to her work, her tireless attention to her duties and her positive attitude will be missed in chambers. We wish her well in her new job.

UPDATE ON PARALEGAL SEMINAR SEPTEMBER 28, 2005
Fri, 9/23/2005 - 5:00 am

At the present time, we have 100 attendees signed up for the upcoming seminar. Unfortunately, due to the limited amount of space in the courtroom we will only be able to accept 10 more registrations. If for some reason you have registered for this seminar and have now determined that you will be unable to attend, please send us an e-mail notification so that someone else could participate. The meeting will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. with welcome and announcements from Judge Waites. Since presenters are providing their handouts and we are foregoing refreshment breaks, there will not be a fee for the seminar. Lunch will be on your own – we invite you to access a map located on the Court’s web page with a listing of various restaurants as well as parking facilities that are in the vicinity of the Courthouse. Also, as previously mentioned, please remember to bring your calculator for use during the means test presentation. Listed below is the agenda and topics that will be discussed. (Click here for the agenda)

TEMPORARY LAW CLERK POSITION
Tue, 9/13/2005 - 5:00 am


The Court presently expects that the position of shared law clerk formerly held by Brian Calub will continue to be funded for a period of time until a third bankruptcy judge is in place and hires a staff. It is anticipated that Brian will remain with the Court as a term law clerk. According to the Judicial Conference Codes of Conduct, Canon 3, it is permissible for a judge to hire a law clerk to serve a temporary clerkship on a leave of absence from a law firm as long as the law clerk does not work on cases handled by the law firm or receive any compensation or benefits from the law firm during the clerkship term. The Judges believe this position would be a good opportunity for someone currently in practice to not only assist the Court but also provide a valuable experience for someone who is practicing or intends to practice in the area of bankruptcy law in an interesting time of implementing the new Bankruptcy Reform Act. Annual salary may depend on experience, but is typically in the range of $50,000 to $60,000.


Expressions of interest should consist of a cover letter and resume and be submitted by telefax to 803-253-3464 as soon as possible but in any event no later than Friday, September 23, 2005. Further information may be requested.


If you would like additional information, you may contact Judge Waites’ law clerk, Tammi Hellwig, at 803-765-5030.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2005 PARALEGAL SEMINAR
Fri, 9/09/2005 - 5:00 am


As previously announced, the Court will be sponsoring a seminar for paralegals and other legal assistants to be held on Wednesday, September 28, 2005 commencing at 9:15 a.m. at the United States Bankruptcy Courthouse, 1100 Laurel Street (at the corner of Laurel and Assembly) in the 3rd floor courtroom. We expect a full day of informative presentations relating to the new Act and other issues, including topics such as requirements for filing cases, Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 means test training, information from the Clerk’s Office regarding CM/ECF, scheduling, and other Clerk’s Office concerns, and miscellaneous substantive matters. It is suggested that you bring a calculator with you for use during the means test presentation.


Lunch will be on your own; we expect to adjourn by 4:00 or 4:30 p.m. The approval of CLE credit is anticipated for attendance. Any cost that may be associated with attendance will be minimal in order to cover the copying of any written materials. Please register with Cheryl Hughes by Friday, September 23, 2005 by e-mail to judgewaites_bapcpa@scb.uscourts.gov if you plan on attending.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2005 PRESENTATION
Thu, 9/08/2005 - 5:00 am


As previously announced, Doug Barnett of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Joe Dusenbury of the South Carolina Department of Revenue will be making a presentation in Columbia on the provisions affecting the treatment of taxes and tax obligations under the new Act and tips for working with their agencies on Wednesday, September 21, 2005 commencing at 10:30 a.m. in the main courtroom. We anticipate that this morning session will last approximately 1 hour.


As an addition to this session, at the request of several practitioners, there will be a Chapter 11 roundtable discussion addressing changes to Chapter 11 practice, including individual and small business cases. The participants will include Bill McCarthy, David Duncan, Bob Cooper, Dave Wheeler and Judge Waites. We will reconvene at 1:00 p.m. for the Chapter 11 roundtable discussion which will last 1 to 1½ hours.


The sessions are being sponsored by the Court and we anticipate the approval of CLE credit for attendance. There is no cost to attend. Please sign-up with Cheryl Hughes by Friday, September 16, 2005 to judgewaites_bapcpa@scb.uscourts.gov if you plan on attending either or both sessions.


As with all training sessions being held at the Court, participation is voluntary, with the purpose being to promote the sharing of ideas and to provide a helpful tool to assist you in preparing for changes in practice as a result of the new Act.

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