JUDGES

The Bankruptcy Judges of the Central District of California

Peter H. Carroll(Chief Judge)
Barry Russell
Robin L. Riblet
Alan M. Ahart
Vincent P. Zurzolo
Ernest M. Robles
Thomas B. Donovan
Erithe A. Smith
Meredith A. Jury
Ellen Carroll
Sheri Bluebond
Maureen A. Tighe
Theodor A. Albert
Richard M. Neiter
Victoria S. Kaufman
Robert N. Kwan
Catherine E. Bauer
Deborah J. Saltzman
Mark S. Wallace
Scott C. Clarkson
Wayne Johnson
Sandra R. Klein
Julia W. Brand
Neil W. Bason
Geraldine Mund (recalled)
Kathleen Thompson (recalled)

Judge Zurzolo Passes Gavel to Chief Judge Peter H. Carroll

On January 25, the Passing of the Gavel from Chief Bankruptcy Judge Vincent P. Zurzolo to Judge Peter H. Carroll was commemorated at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Pasadena. Judge Peter H. Carroll gave the opening remarks, followed by Senior Circuit Judge Michael Daly Hawkins, Judge Erithe A. Smith, and retired Judge David N. Naugle. Each speaker applauded Judge Zurzolo for his accomplishments and congratulated the new Chief Judge. They were followed by Judge Sheri Bluebond and Clerk of Court Kathleen J. Campbell, who presented gifts of appreciation on behalf of the judges and Clerk’s Office respectively.

Chief District Judge Audrey B. Collins and Judge Virginia A. Phillips carried out the presentation and order of appointment, during which Judge Peter H. Carroll was formally appointed as Chief Judge. Chief Judge Peter H. Carroll thanked the presenters and everyone responsible for hosting the event. “The Court faces significant challenges in the next four years,” he said, citing the continued increase in caseload and reduction in budget. A reception followed in the courthouse lobby.

Investiture of Judges Mark S. Wallace and Scott C. Clarkson

On May 5, Judges Mark S. Wallace and Scott C. Clarkson were honored with the Central District’s first joint investiture, held at the Ronald Reagan Federal Building and United States Courthouse in Santa Ana. Both judges were appointed in January 2011. Chief District Judge Audrey B. Collins and Chief Bankruptcy Judge Peter H. Carroll presided over the event with more than 200 guests in attendance. The ceremony began with U.S. Marshal David Singer opening the court and Clerk of Court Kathleen J. Campbell calling the calendar. The chief judges then introduced current and retired judges present at the ceremony from both the Bankruptcy and District Courts.

Chief Judge Collins administered the oath of office to each of the judges, followed by remarks from Chief Judge Peter H. Carroll on the significance of the robe as a symbol of the judicial office. Judge Wallace’s wife, Anne-Marie Wallace, performed the investiture of robe for Judge Wallace, and Judge Clarkson’s wife, Cheryl Friedling, performed the investiture of robe for Judge Clarkson. A Cinco de Mayo-themed reception followed the ceremony, complete with a mariachi band and Mexican cuisine.

Investiture of Judge Wayne Johnson

On July 7, the investiture of Judge Wayne Johnson was held at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Riverside, California. The ceremony began with U.S. Marshal David Singer opening the court, followed by Clerk of Court Kathleen J. Campbell calling the calendar. Chief District Judge Audrey B. Collins and Chief Bankruptcy Judge Peter H. Carroll welcomed all in attendance, including 19 current and retired judges from both the District and Bankruptcy Courts.

After Chief Judge Peter H. Carroll administered the oath, Judge Johnson’s wife Candace Johnson performed the investiture of robe. Judge Johnson shared the “Ten Commandments for the New Judge” he received from Judge Mund and a quote by William Wilberforce, an English Parliamentarian and abolitionist from the 18th century and personal hero of Judge Johnson. Upon the conclusion of the ceremony, a reception was held at the Court in honor of Judge Johnson.

Investiture of Judge Sandra R. Klein

On October 27, the investiture ceremony of Judge Sandra R. Klein was held at the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and Courthouse in Los Angeles, California. U.S. Marshal David Singer opened the court, and Judge Klein's family from Chicago (Colleen, Joe, Mack, Rosie, and Sadie Klein) led the Pledge of Allegiance. Clerk of Court Kathleen J. Campbell called the calendar, and Chief District Judge Audrey B. Collins and Chief Bankruptcy Judge Peter H. Carroll welcomed the distinguished judges and agency heads in attendance from the U.S. Court of Appeals, District Court, the California Court of Appeals, and Los Angeles Superior Court, as well as 20 bankruptcy judges from the Central District of California.

After Chief Judge Peter H. Carroll administered the oath, Judge Klein’s husband, Richard Faulkner, and her parents, David and June Klein, performed the investiture of robe. In her remarks, Judge Klein attributed her accomplishments to her upbringing, and to the support of her mentors, family, friends, and colleagues. A reception followed the ceremony in the lobby of the Roybal Building.

Judges Julia W. Brand and Neil W. Bason Sworn In

On Monday, October 24, the Central District welcomed two new judges. In his courtroom at the Los Angeles Division, Chief Judge Peter H. Carroll administered the oath of office to Judges Julia W. Brand and Neil W. Bason, both of whom maintain chambers in Los Angeles.

The Ninth Circuit appointed Judge Brand on September 28. She filled the position left vacant by Judge Geraldine Mund, who retired in February and continues to sit as a recalled judge. Judge Brand took over Judge Robles’ chapter 13 calendar starting November 7. Judge Bason, appointed by the Ninth Circuit on October 17, filled a new judgeship authorized in March 2011 by the Judicial Conference of the United States. Also starting November 7, Judge Bason took over Judge Donovan’s chapter 13 calendar.

Appointment of Judge Mark D. Houle Announced

Chief Judge Alex Kozinski of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit announced the appointment of Judge Mark D. Houle on December 20. Judge Houle fills the judgeship vacated by Judge Ellen Carroll in February 2012. The judge was sworn in on February 17, 2012, and maintains chambers in Riverside.

Judges Geraldine Mund and Kathleen Thompson Appointed to Recalled Judge Status

Judges Geraldine Mund and Kathleen Thompson retired in the first months of 2011 and were appointed to recalled judge status. Judge Thompson retired on January 7 and Judge Mund retired on February 9. Both continue to hear cases and provide needed assistance with the Court’s heavy workload.

Judges Altenberger, Zive, and Rendlen Arrive in Central District

Recalled Judge William V. Altenberger joined the Court in April, hearing trials and other matters. Judge Altenberger is the former Chief Bankruptcy Judge of the Central District of Illinois, and continues to hold court in the Central, Northern, and Southern Districts of Illinois. He retired in June 2000. After graduating from the University of Illinois in 1957, he served three years in the U.S. Air Force, and received his law degree from the University of Illinois in 1963. Before he became a bankruptcy judge in 1985, Judge Altenberger was engaged in the general practice of law, with emphasis in banking and commercial work.

Recalled Judge Gregg W. Zive joined the Court in August and September, hearing trials and assisting with contested matters and adversary proceedings. Judge Zive is the former Chief Bankruptcy Judge of the District of Nevada, and served as Chair of the Ninth Circuit Conference of Chief Bankruptcy Judges from 2005 to 2006. He retired in December 2010. Judge Zive has a B.A. in journalism from the University of Nevada, and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 1973. He was admitted to the bars of California (1973) and Nevada (1976), and to the bar of the United States Supreme Court.

Judge Charles E. Rendlen III, serving on an intercircuit assignment from the Eighth Circuit, began hearing trials and other matters on the week of November 28. Judge Rendlen, visiting from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, graduated magna cum laude from William Jewell College in 1972, and received his J.D. from the University of Missouri—Columbia in 1976. After 28 years in private practice, he was appointed as U.S. Trustee for Region 13 in June 2003. Judge Rendlen’s term as bankruptcy judge commenced on May 23, 2006, and in August 2010 he was appointed as a Pro Tem member of the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel. Judge Rendlen shares a courtroom and chambers with Judge William Altenberger in the Los Angeles Division.

Judge Meredith A. Jury Reappointed

On November 24, 2011, Judge Meredith A. Jury was reappointed to a second 14-year term by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Judge Jury came to the bankruptcy bench in 1997, and continues to maintain chambers in Riverside.

Before she joined the Court, Judge Jury had practiced with the law firm of Best Best & Krieger for 21 years. She was Associate Partner at the firm’s Riverside office, where she worked from 1976 to 1997. Judge Jury was admitted to both the California State Bar and the Bar of the United States District Court for the Central District of California in 1976, and she was admitted to the Bar of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in 1980.

Judge Jury studied English as an undergraduate at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and graduated cum laude in 1969. She received two master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin—Madison: an M.A. in economics (1971) and an M.S. in English education (1972). Judge Jury received her J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law in 1976.

In keeping with her distinguished academic achievements, Judge Jury is a frequent speaker and panelist at local and national educational forums. She has also been active in community organizations, among them the Riverside County Coalition for Alternatives to Domestic Violence, the Riverside County Mental Health Advisory Board, NOW, and the Sierra Club.

In 2007, the Ninth Circuit appointed Judge Jury to a seven-year term on the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel, where she is one of six judges who hear bankruptcy appeals. The Riverside Division will hold a celebration in honor of Judge Jury’s reappointment on March 15, 2012.

Judges Kaufman and Ahart Relocate to San Fernando Valley Division

On January 3, Judge Victoria S. Kaufman relocated from the Los Angeles Division to the San Fernando Valley Division, where she took over Judge Kathleen Thompson’s pending bankruptcy cases and adversary proceedings. On May 2, Judge Alan M. Ahart also relocated from Los Angeles to the San Fernando Valley. Judge Geraldine Mund’s pending chapter 13 cases and adversary proceedings were reassigned to Judge Ahart. Some of Judge Ahart’s Los Angeles Division bankruptcy cases and adversary proceedings were transferred to the San Fernando Valley Division and assigned new San Fernando Valley Division case numbers.

Judges Zurzolo and Donovan Honored at Calvin Ashland Awards Dinner

The Central District Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney Association (CDCBAA) honored two of the district’s judges at the annual Calvin Ashland Awards Dinner. In the ceremony, held on November 3 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in downtown Los Angeles, Judge Vincent P. Zurzolo received the Calvin K. Ashland Award, and the CDCBAA unveiled the new Judge Thomas B. Donovan Award.

Following Judge Erithe A. Smith’s introduction, Judge Zurzolo received a standing ovation as he accepted the last award of the evening. Judges Sandra R. Klein, Scott C. Clarkson, Robert Kwan, and Ernest M. Robles attended the ceremony, as did Executive Officer/Clerk of Court Kathleen J. Campbell.

Judicial Committees

In accordance with the Court Governance Plan, judicial committees appointed by the Chief Judge address Court-related issues and provide feedback to the entire Board of Judges regarding Court operations and administrative issues. The Chief Judge and the Executive Officer/Clerk of Court are ex officio members of each committee. Clerk’s Office staff members attend meetings and support the judicial committees.

The members of the 2011 judicial committees were:

EXECUTIVE

Peter H. Carroll, Chair
Alan M. Ahart
Theodor C. Albert
Catherine E. Bauer
Sheri Bluebond
Ellen Carroll
Robin L. Riblet
Vincent P. Zurzolo

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Barry Russell, Chair
Catherine E. Bauer
Richard M. Neiter
Ernest M. Robles
Maureen A. Tighe

CASE MANAGEMENT

Sheri Bluebond, Chair
Robert Kwan
Robin L. Riblet
Deborah J. Saltzman
Maureen A. Tighe

CHAPTER 13

Catherine E. Bauer, Chair
Scott C. Clarkson
Robert Kwan
Meredith A. Jury
Victoria S. Kaufman

RULES

Theodor C. Albert, Chair
Thomas B. Donovan
Wayne Johnson
Sandra R. Klein

EDUCATION AND TRAINING/RETREAT

Richard M. Neiter, Chair
Alan M. Ahart
Erithe A. Smith
Deborah J. Saltzman
Mark S. Wallace

SPACE AND SECURITY

Ellen Carroll, Chair
Robert Kwan
Robin L. Riblet
Deborah J. Saltzman
Maureen A. Tighe