Federal Courts Seek to Hire 13 Bankruptcy Judges

The Judicial Conference, the policymaking arm of the US Federal Courts, is urging Congress to fill 13 new permanent bankruptcy judgeships in 10 judicial districts; convert 22 existing temporary judgeships to permanent in 15 judicial districts; and extend two existing temporary bankruptcy judgeships for five years.

The Judicial Conference Committee on the Administration of the Bankruptcy System told Congress that “…our judicial resources are strained, and the cost to society of an overburdened bankruptcy system, especially in this economic climate, is enormous.”

There are currently 324 bankruptcy judgeships nationwide.

There were 38% more bankruptcy filings in fiscal 2007 than in 2006, and filings increased by another 31% between 2007 and 2008.