Executive Summary
In 2010, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California continued to provide quality public service while managing record-breaking filings. Highlights in 2010 include:
- Judge Peter H. Carroll was selected to assume the post of the next Chief Bankruptcy Judge for the Central District for the next four years. He succeeds Judge Vincent P. Zurzolo, who has served as Chief Bankruptcy Judge since 2007. Judge P. Carroll is the sixth Chief Bankruptcy Judge for the Central District and has served as a bankruptcy judge since 2002.
- Judges Catherine E. Bauer and Deborah J. Saltzman were sworn in by Chief Judge Zurzolo as judges for the Riverside Division. Judge Bauer and Judge Saltzman fill the judgeships left vacant by the retirements of Judges Mitchel R. Goldberg and David N. Naugle in 2008.
- Kathleen J. Campbell was appointed Executive Officer and Clerk of Court for the Central District, succeeding Jon D. Ceretto, who left the Court in 2009. Ms. Campbell is the fourth Clerk of Court for the Central District and previously served as Chief Deputy of Administration from 2001 to 2006.
- For the third consecutive year, the Central District led the nation in total bankruptcy filings. A total of 142,789 bankruptcy cases were filed in the Central District, a 31 percent increase over filings in 2009, and a 117 percent increase over filings in 2008.
- Pro se filings comprised 26 percent of all filings in 2010, more than four times higher than the national average of 6 percent, and an all-time Central District record. Pro se debtors at all divisions have access to pro bono and low cost legal services. In 2010, over 7,600 pro se parties were assisted throughout the district through pro bono and low cost legal services offered at each division.
- In response to the continued rise in filings, Chamber's and Clerk's Office staff grew to 365 employees. The Clerk's Office hired 48 temporary generalist clerks, who were deployed across the Central District. The Court also converted 43 temporary generalist clerks to permanent operations support clerks.
- The Court substantially increased its commitment to providing professional development opportunities to its employees, with staff completing 5,635 hours of training and 204 classes in 2010. Additionally, the Court welcomed four new staff development specialists to establish its Staff Development department. A total of five specialists now serve the district.
- Assisted by Chief Judge Zurzolo, the Clerk's Office significantly increased enforcement of General Order 06-03 and Local Bankruptcy Rule 5005-4, the Court's mandatory electronic filing requirements. Attorneys are subject to an Order to Show Cause for failure to comply and are subject to sanctions for continued violations.
- Judge Tighe is representing the Court in a pilot being developed by the Pro Se Pathfinder, a national group assigned to develop a web-based application that will allow electronic data entry functionality for unrepresented debtors.
- The Court completed a systems upgrade to version 3.3.3 of CM/ECF, which improved database and conflict-checking performance.
- On October 1, the Court implemented its new Performance Management Program, designed to communicate and clarify responsibilities, priorities, and performance expectations.
- Two videoconference rooms were constructed in the Riverside Division to accommodate hearings held by judges with other divisions. Beginning in 2011, these newly-constructed hearing rooms will be used by Santa Ana-based judge-appointees Scott C. Clarkson and Mark S. Wallace to hear Riverside Division cases via videoconference.
- The Clerk's Office assembled a Forms Task Force to manage the numerous requests for new and revised court forms, as well as to bring uniformity to the Court's Local Bankruptcy Rules (LBR) forms.
- In 2010, the Court hosted the Hispanic/Latino Heritage celebration and the Native American Heritage celebration. Both events featured speakers who educated and enlightened attendees with their messages.
- In 2010, the Clerk's Office paid out $6.16 million in trustee payments, setting a post-BAPCPA record. The total trustee payments made were 59 percent greater than in 2009.
