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Judges' Corner Archive
09/2007

Bankruptcy Ask-A-Lawyer Program
Wed, 9/26/2007 - 5:00 am

The first Bankruptcy Ask-A-Lawyer program was conducted September 25, 2007. Though this was the program’s pilot date, volunteers in Columbia received calls from individuals around the state seeking help. After their questions were answered, all individuals were referred to the Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service so that they could obtain counsel. Many thanks to Gene Allen, Showell Blades, Michael Cox, Michael Drose, Janet Haigler, Ron Jones, Lawrence Keitt, Pam Lintner, and Eric Reed for the volunteering of their time and efforts.

The next two sessions for Ask-A-Lawyer are planned for October 23, 2007 and November 27, 2007. If you are able to volunteer for either of these sessions, please contact Jeff Davis at waites_chambers@scb.uscourts.gov Volunteers receive pro bono credit from the Bar. Attorneys outside of Columbia may volunteer without traveling to Columbia as local volunteers can forward callers to your office during the designated call time.
Proposed Operating Order: Chapter 13 Debtors' Attorney's Fees
Wed, 9/12/2007 - 5:00 am

The Judges seek public comment and suggestions on the attached proposed operating order which seeks to establish an efficient procedure for the payment of attorney's fees to debtors' attorneys in Chapter 13 cases. To the extent the implementation of this order will require changes to the form plan used in this District, those changes will be made after the finalization of the order.


The operating order was proposed after consultation with a working group of attorneys and trustees and after receipt of comments from the Court's advisory committee.

Comments should be forwarded to waites_chambers@scb.uscourts.gov or sent by mail to Attn: Chapter 13 Fee Order Comments, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, 1100 Laurel Street, Columbia, SC 29201, for receipt no later than October 1, 2007. Comments may be sent anonymously by mail if preferred.

Chapter 11 Local Rules Working Group
Tue, 9/11/2007 - 5:00 am


Chief Judge Waites has appointed a working group to consider Local Rule changes applicable in Chapter 11 cases in light of experience under the Reform Act. The members are:


Bill McCarthy
Rick Mendoza
Barbara Barton
Bill Short
George Cauthen
Dave Wheeler
Tim Stack


The working group will make suggestions in a report to the Court in early October, 2007. Any suggestions will be considered by the Court's Advisory Committee and then published for public comment. If you have suggestions for the Chapter 11 local rules, please contact any member of the working group.

Administrative Order - Use of Electronic Devices
Tue, 9/11/2007 - 5:00 am

The Judges are pleased to announce that the policy regarding the use of electronic devices in the United States Bankruptcy Court has been expanded to permit the use of cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and other wireless e-mail devices by attorneys in the Columbia and Charleston courthouse locations effective October 1, 2007. Use of these devices remains prohibited at the Bankruptcy Court in Spartanburg because the Bankruptcy Court shares the courthouse in Spartanburg with the United States District Court and the District Court's present policy is not to allow such devices. The requirements for the use of these devices are set forth in an Administrative Order, a copy of which is attached hereto for reference. We hope that this change will be of assistance to the attorneys who practice in our court.
Judges' Corner
Mon, 9/10/2007 - 5:00 am

The Judges and staff of the United States Bankruptcy Court wish to congratulate Tammi Hellwig on the one year anniversary of her appointment as Clerk of Court as of September 4, 2007. Tammi has worked tirelessly and with great skill and professionalism in leading the Clerk's Office through a period of change brought on by the Reform Act, the addition of new judges and new locations, and a reorganization necessitated by budget changes. We all wish her continued happiness in her service.
BANKLA SEMINAR
Wed, 9/05/2007 - 5:00 am

The Judges are looking forward to attending the 17th Annual Seminar of the South Carolina Bankruptcy Law Association to be held in Asheville, North Carolina on September 14-16, 2007. Susie Grigg and the seminar committee have put together a great agenda of topics, including topics on BAPCPA, evidence, discovery techniques, and trial skills. We know it will be a good time of learning and fellowship, so we encourage everyone to attend.

The Judges will have an opportunity to address the attendees on Saturday morning and would like to address any topics or questions that you may have. Towards that end, please forward your topics or questions to waites_chambers@scb.uscourts.gov as soon as possible, but no later than Monday, September 10, 2007 @ 3 p.m. We hope to provide information that is of interest to you.

Again, we look forward to seeing everyone in Asheville.