Congress Extends Temporary Bankruptcy Judgeships

Congress has passed, and the President is expected to sign into law, legislation saving temporary bankruptcy judgeships that could have expired in 19 judicial districts.

The Temporary Bankruptcy Judgeships Extension Act of 2012 extends 29 existing temporary judgeships previously created by Congress for an additional five years.

The legislation, considered in Congress for more than a year, comes just in time for many bankruptcy courts. By statute, five years after a judge fills the office, the first bankruptcy judgeship vacancy to occur in that same district cannot be filled. The five years are up for most, and vacancies are beginning to occur in the 19 districts that received those temporary judgeships.

Here’s a list of the affected districts and temporary judgeships.