At the end of the year, Judge John C. Ninfo II, who has been presiding over the bankruptcy court in Rochester since 1992, will be retiring. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals has been interviewing candidates to replace Judge Ninfo since early this fall.
However, since the Second Circuit has not made its selection so far, the Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of New York has established a contingency plan for January and February 2012. The Hon. Michael Kaplan, one of the two Buffalo bankruptcy judges, will be coming to Rochester and Watkins Glen to preside over motions and hearings.
The administrative order posted on the Court’s Website states that the motion calendars for Rochester in January and February will be held on Fridays rather than Wednesdays, but will not be changed otherwise. Since Judge Ninfo has presided over the bankruptcy court in Rochester for the last 20 years, Judge Kaplan may represent a significant change and Rochester bankruptcy lawyers will have to learn about his approach to bankruptcy cases and judicial philosophy.
If you are contemplating filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, or are dealing with debt problems in Western New York, including Rochester, Canandaigua, Brighton, Pittsford, Penfield, Perinton, Fairport, Webster, Victor, Farmington, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Parma, Brockport, Spencerport, LeRoy, Chili, Churchville, Monroe County, Ontario County, Wayne County, Orleans County, Livingston County, and being harassed by bill collectors, and would like to know more about how bankruptcy may be able to help you, contact me today by phone or email to schedule a FREE initial consultation with a Rochester, NY, bankruptcy lawyer.