Court Connection: e-Edition

The Court is proud to share the e-edition of the Court Connection.

For readers who prefer to read the newsletter on paper, it can be printed in its entirety by downloading a full-text PDF version.

Click here for the PDF full edition.

Dear Point & Click: Answers to Technical Questions

Dear Point and Click:

What type of matters are handled by the Court’s Help Desk and what matters should be directed to the Case Management or Chambers staff?

Click here for the answer & more helpful information.

Local Bar Events Click here for more details.

Local Bar Associations   News and events from your local bar association

By:  James C. Eidson, Esq., President

On Friday, August 23, 2019, the JBBA held its 27th Annual Seminar at the Sawgrass Marriott in Ponte Vedra Beach. The JBBA had an exciting seminar, which included the current events panel featuring our Middle District bankruptcy judges and panel discussion topics ranging from the ethics of cloud-based practice management software, to mediation as a cost saving measure in Chapter 11 cases, to the appointment of Chapter 11 trustees for debtor-in-possession breaches of fiduciary duties.

Click here for more details.

EVENTS

To read and view photos of the CFBLA Family Day celebrations, Liz Green's presentation and the joint luncheon of CFBLA & the local FBA...

Click here for more details.

On Monday, September 30^th, the Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association sponsored a lunch to show their appreciation for the Bankruptcy Court staff.  The delicious food,  prepared by Spain Restaurant, was enjoyed by all! 

Click here to view the pictures.

By: Carina M. de la Torre, Esq., Chair

On July 27, 2019, Robert Branson, Esq. and Tammy Branson of Branson Law PLLC and Igor Roitburg of Default Mitigation Management LLC gave a presentation regarding the new Student Loan Modification Program in the Middle District of Florida, including its benefits, purpose, eligibility, rules, timelines, use of Student Loanify and the DMM Portal, and Chapter 13 Plan language.

Click here for more details.

SWFLBPA

Southwest Florida Bankruptcy Professionals Association

By: Jonathan Tolentino, Esq.

The Inaugural SWFLBPA Golf Tournament was held on September 7th, 2019, at TPC Treviso Bay in Naples, Florida. The brutally hot morning caused many planned attendees to forego the event. But four stalwarts set forth to brave the elements. The inaugural field of four included SWFLBPA members: Greg Champeau, Esq., Louis Erickson, Esq., Joseph Trunkett, Esq., and Jonathan Tolentino, Esq. This foursome was a ton of fun, and the gamesmanship was nonstop. What was lacked in skill that day was made up in camaraderie.

Click here for more details.

Editors:

Bradley M. Saxton & C. Andrew Roy Winderweedle, Haines, Ward & Woodman, P.A.

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District Pro Se Clinic

4th Quarter 2019

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Chuck Kilcoyne, retired Deputy-in-Charge of the Tampa Division, volunteering on Mondays for the TBBBA Pro Bono Clinic

Did you know?

The Tampa courthouse pro bono clinic that is managed by the Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association has a Clerk’s Office computer terminal that permits free CM/ECF viewing during clinic hours.  Therefore, there is no need for clinic volunteers to incur and bear the burden of PACER charges.

UNITED STATES TRUSTEE'S CORNER

By: Charles R. Sterbach, Assistant United States Trustee & Jill Kelso, Orlando Office of the United States Trustee

Meet Guy A. Van Baalen, Assistant United States Trustee

Click here for the full story.

MAKE ME SMILE MOMENT Submitted by Judge McEwen

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Tampa CARE Chapter Holds Kickoff Orientation

By: Michael Hooi

A 2014 Standard & Poor’s survey shows that slightly more than half of American adults are financially literate. The other half is at great risk of incurring high debt and saving less. 

Click here for the full story.

Cristo Rey's Corporate Work-Study Program

Using a model known as Corporate Work-Study Program (CWSP), Cristo Rey Tampa High School establishes partnerships with local businesses to permit the students to work one day a week and attend school the other days. Our Court is one of the founding CWSP partners.

Click here for the full story.

Click here for the latest statistics.

By: Hon. Caryl E. Delano, Chief Judge

One of the joys of sitting on the bankruptcy bench in the Middle District of Florida is working with my colleagues towards a common goal: to enable each of the constituencies with whom we work—lawyers, Clerk’s Office staff, our chambers staff, and pro se parties—to work efficiently and effectively so that we judges are able to rule on the merits on the issues and disputes before us. 

Click here to read the full story.

Judge's Corner

Judicial Conference Reception

Taken at a reception after a JCUS (Judicial Conference of the United States) meeting on Constitution Day. Pictured left to right:  Father Timothy Corcoran, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and Judge McEwen

Click here to see all photos.

Judge Catherine Peek McEwen Sworn in for Second Term

By: Hon. Caryl E. Delano, Chief Judge

On August 14, 2019, Judge Catherine Peek McEwen was sworn in by Eleventh Circuit Judge Charles Wilson for her second 14-year term as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Middle District of Florida. Judge McEwen’s colleagues, family, and co-workers, including Judges Williamson and Delano, Fr. Tim Corcoran, sister, Rosemary Peek, nephew, George Peek, and her chambers staff, Denise Martin, Dedra Gann, and Lisa Scotten, gathered in Judge Wilson’s chambers to witness this milestone event.

Click here for more details.

All I can say is...

SURVEY RESULTS - HOW TO IMPROVE OUR PROCEDURE MANUAL

By: Hon. Karen S. Jennemann, Kim Osment, and Jeanne Kraft

Roughly two years ago, the Bankruptcy Court started posting our procedures on The Source.  We have made numerous improvements and changes to address the requests of our attorneys, paralegals, staff, and parties.  Now, you can find the procedures (and much more) front and center on our website.  But, we know we can do better!  So, we sent out a survey to our users.

Click here for more information.

Our NEW Student Loan Management Program Starts October 1, 2019

By: Hon. Karen S. Jennemann

In January 2019, the Bankruptcy Court formed a district wide committee of lawyers to evaluate and recommend ways to assist parties either repaying or collecting outstanding student loans involved in bankruptcy cases.

Click here for more details.

Why Do We Need the Student Loan Management Program?

By: Christie D. Arkovich, Christie D. Arkovich, P.A.

To ensure debtors receive a “fresh start” and not a “false start,” the Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida (MDFL) has implemented a Student Loan Management Program (SLMP), which utilizes a transparent portal to obtain relief from federal and private student loans.

Click here for the full story.

2019 Annual Judicial Retreat

The Student Loan Committee for the Middle District of Florida and Default Mitigation Management, the portal provider for our new Student Loan Management Program, had the honor of presenting to all the Middle District Judges at their annual judicial retreat in August.

Click here to read the full story.

School Kids Learn About The Third Branch

Lucas Lieb and Clara Bridge like the view from the bench. They also liked the Junior Marshal badges that U.S. Marshal Zach Self gave them during a tour of the lock up facilities.

By Hon. Catherine Peek McEwen

Regarding my cases, if you see a paper or pleading set for hearing that you don’t think requires a hearing, say something!  Please call the courtroom deputy to inquire and suggest why a hearing may not be necessary.  Maybe I have seen something I want to hear more about, or, instead, it could have been set by mistake or oversight. 

Our Court Has a New Michigan State University Graduate

On August 7^th, Tampa Case Manager, Deanna Berrier, graduated from the Judicial Administration Noncredit Certificate Program sponsored by NCBC (National Conference of Bankruptcy Clerks) through Michigan State University.  Deanna was one of 47 graduates to complete the program this year and was presented with her graduation certificate during the NCBC Conference in Chicago. 

Click here for the full story.

Summer Intern Reception at the old Tampa Federal Courthouse, Now Le Meridien

To view more photos, click here.

The Court Connection is published quarterly.  Please submit items for inclusion in the next edition by December 31, 2019 to:

newsletter@flmb.uscourts.gov