News and Announcements

Individuals filing for bankruptcy under Chapter 13 must use a new form that presents their payment plan in a more uniform and transparent manner, and creditors will have less time to submit a proof of claim, under new bankruptcy rules and form amendments that took effect Dec. 1.

Louisiana native Beth Cenac never thought she would be the target of a jury scam. She is a professional with a master’s degree who worked as a public librarian for 30 years and previously served on a jury.

Prominent judges, lawyers, and other associates share their recollections of the legal mastermind behind the Agent Orange class action settlement — U.S. Senior Judge Jack B. Weinstein, of the Eastern District of New York.

In 2016, the state of Indiana celebrated its bicentennial with major statewide events, commemorative memorabilia, and appearances from famed celebrities who hail from the Hoosier state. Doria Lynch, court historian and special projects manager for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, began planning a second celebration, of the federal court’s own bicentennial in 2017.  

Surveys show that only 26 percent of U.S. adults can name all three branches of federal government, and 31 percent can’t name even one. Judiciary leaders in Colorado and elsewhere are working to improve those numbers.

Bankruptcy filings fell by 1.8 percent for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2017, compared with the year ending September 30, 2016. This is the smallest one-year drop since a national decline in annual federal bankruptcy filings began in June 2011. 

Senior Judge Ralph K. Winter of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit was presented with the 2017 Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award in a special ceremony recently at the Thurgood Marshall Courthouse in New York.

Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., selected a new chair for the Executive Committee of the Judicial Conference of the United States and three new chairs for other Conference committees. 

Six federal Judiciary employees have received the 2017 Director’s Awards, which recognize outstanding performance in the federal courts nationwide.

Federal courts around the country celebrated Constitution Day and Citizenship Day by arranging for students to welcome new U.S. citizens at nearly 50 naturalization ceremonies throughout September.