New General Orders and Local Bankruptcy Rules

The Court is pleased to announce the implementation of two new procedures, effective October 1, 2024 - (1) a new email address for requesting virtual hearing information and (2) the launch of Pay.gov for non-attorneys. This also serves as notice of the entry of General Order 2024-02 (implementing Pay.gov) and General Order 2024-03 (updated hearing procedures). Finally, please save the date of December 5, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. for the annual bankruptcy bar potluck and ugly sweater social. More details on each are below.

1) Updated Hearing Email Address: Effective immediately, all hearing requests, continuance notifications, or other questions regarding hearings should be sent to [email protected]. Please add this email address to your safe senders list as all emails relating to hearings will come from the new hearing email address. Please discontinue use of Ms. Lee's email address for any messages related to hearings.

2) Pay.gov: Effective immediately, the Court has available at payments Pay.gov for payment of certain filing fees may be paid online via debit card, bank account (ACH), or PayPal. It may be accessed at: https://www.dcb.uscourts.gov/paygov-online-payments.

3) General Orders 2024-02 and 2024-03: On September 30, 2024, Judge Gunn entered General Order 2024-02 making technical amendments to Local Bankruptcy Rule 1006-1 effectuating the implementation of Pay.gov. On October 1, 2024, Judge Gunn entered General Order 2024-03 updating hearing procedures for the use of the new [email protected] email address. In addition, General Order 2024-03 adds a provision promoting the use of junior attorneys in court. Questions of either order may be addressed to [email protected].

4) Bench-Bar Committee: Judge Gunn is accepting letters of interest to fill two two-year at large positions on the Court's Bench-Bar Committee. Commitment involves (i) quarterly meetings (3 virtual, one in person); (ii) willingness to serve as an ambassador for the bench to the Court; (iii) review and comment on proposed local rules; and (iv) other tasks as necessary. The term runs January 1, 2025-December 31, 2026. There is no formal application, letters of interest should be submitted to [email protected] by October 31, 2024.

5) Ugly Sweater Potluck - Save the Date: Please save December 5, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. for the Court's annual ugly sweater holiday potluck at the Courthouse. More details to come prior to the gathering.