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Chambers' Bulletins
08/2018

Annual Report of 2017 Bankruptcy Case Filings Nationwide
Fri, 8/31/2018 - 3:00 pm

The Administrative Office for United States Courts issues an annual report compiled from statistics collected by the Clerks of Court of the Bankruptcy Courts in bankruptcy cases filed around the nation. The report is required by the 2005 Reform Act and it reflects information garnered from consumer cases. You can find the full report and statistical tables at http://www.uscourts.gov/news/2018/08/27/bankruptcy-report-gives-details-2017-filers. 

Consumer filings in South Carolina decreased 0.70% in 2017.  In South Carolina, the median monthly income reported by individual debtors in chapter 7 cases was $2,407 per month, compared with $2,582 in the Fourth Circuit and $2,488 nationwide.  Median expenses in South Carolina chapter 7 cases were $2,574 per month, compared with $2,890 in the Fourth Circuit and $2,659 nationwide.  For chapter 13 cases, the median income in South Carolina was $3,288 per month, compared with $3,579 in the Fourth Circuit and $3,287 nationwide.  Median expenses in South Carolina chapter 13 cases were $2,450, compared with $2,947 in the Fourth Circuit and $2,616 nationwide.

South Carolina enjoys a slightly higher chapter 13 case completion rate than the rest of the country.  Nationwide, the plan completion rate was 48.38% for 2017, and in South Carolina the completion rate was 50.45%.  The Fourth Circuit had a slightly higher completion rate, at 50.88%.

A summary of the report and a comparison of South Carolina's data to the rest of the 4th Circuit and the nation can be found here.

New Law Clerk for Judge Waites
Fri, 8/31/2018 - 2:24 pm

Judge Waites is pleased to welcome Claire Voegele as a law clerk in his chambers in Charleston, beginning September 4, 2018. Claire is a 2017 honors graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law, and recently completed a clerkship with the Honorable Robert H. Hodges, Jr. of the United States Court of Federal Claims in Washington D.C. We look forward to working with Claire and welcome her to the Court.

New Confirmation Procedure in Chapter 13 Cases before Judge Waites
Thu, 8/30/2018 - 4:08 pm

At the suggestion of Trustees Stephenson and Wyman, Judge Waites has entered Operating Order 18-04, which modifies the confirmation procedure in the cases before him filed on or after October 1, 2018. The changes are not applicable in matters before any other judge.

The new procedures are more similar to the procedures previously used in this District, but do not change the requirement to use the local form Chapter 13 plan adopted by the Court.

The Trustees and Court will conduct bar meetings to review the changes and to receive input/comments from the bar as follows:

Charleston Meeting: Thursday, September 6, 2018 after the completion of the chapter 13 docket (approximately 11:00 AM) at 145 King Street, Room 225, Charleston, SC 29401.

Columbia Meeting: Thursday, September 13, 2018 at 1:30 PM at the J. Bratton Davis U.S. Bankruptcy Courthouse, 1100 Laurel Street, Columbia, SC 29201.

Further logistical announcements for the meetings will be made next Tuesday, September 4, 2018.

New Law Clerk for Judge Burris
Tue, 8/21/2018 - 10:00 am

David Kershaw, current term law clerk for Judge Burris in the Spartanburg Division, will soon leave the Court to join Turner Padget in Greenville, S.C. His last day in the office will be Thursday, August 23. David has provided excellent service to the Court over the past two years and we wish him well.

We also welcome Jason Ward as term law clerk in Spartanburg, effective August 20. Jason is a 2012 graduate of USC School of Law, and we look forward to the benefit of his experiences as a practicing bankruptcy attorney. Jason joins career clerk, Lauren Maxwell, who will return from maternity leave (twins!) on September 10.

New Law Clerk for Judge Duncan
Fri, 8/10/2018 - 3:27 pm

Nicholas Hulse, Judge Duncan's current law clerk, has accepted a position with Riley Pope & Laney, LLC in Columbia.  Nick's last day is today, Friday, August 10.  Judge Duncan would like to thank Nick for exemplary service over the past two years and extend best wishes as he begins his career in private practice.

Judge Duncan is also pleased to welcome Charles Buist to his chambers beginning August 20.  Charles is a 2016 graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law.  He also holds a master of business administration from the Darla Moore School of Business and a master of environmental law and policy from Vermont Law School.  Prior to joining Judge Duncan's chambers, Charles served as a law clerk for Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr.

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