JUDGES

The Bankruptcy Judges of the Central District of California

Investiture Of Judge Julia W. Brand

On April 12, 2012, the investiture of Judge Julia W. Brand was held at the Roybal Federal Building and Courthouse in Los Angeles. The ceremony began with U.S. Marshal David Singer giving the opening of court. Judge Brand’s nieces and nephews then led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Executive Officer/Clerk of Court Kathleen J. Campbell called the calendar. Chief Bankruptcy Judge Peter H. Carroll and Chief District Judge Audrey B. Collins welcomed the distinguished judges and agency heads in attendance, among them 18 bankruptcy judges from the Central District of California. After Chief Judge Collins administered the oath of office, Judge Brand’s husband, Michael, and her sons, Alex and Jeffrey, performed the investiture of robe. A reception in honor of Judge Brand followed the ceremony.

Investiture Of Judge Neil W. Bason

On May 31, 2012, the investiture of Judge Neil W. Bason was held at the Roybal Federal Building and Courthouse in Los Angeles. U.S. Marshal David Singer gave the opening of court, and Executive Officer/Clerk of Court Kathleen J. Campbell called the calendar. Chief Bankruptcy Judge Peter H. Carroll and Chief District Judge Audrey B. Collins welcomed the distinguished judges and agency heads in attendance, among them 21 bankruptcy judges from the Central District of California, five bankruptcy judges visiting from the Northern District of California, and Judge Bason’s father, the Honorable George F. Bason, Jr., a former bankruptcy judge from the District of Columbia. Northern District of California Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali, for whom Judge Bason worked as a law clerk between 2000 and 2008, administered the oath of office, and Judge Bason’s father performed the investiture of robe. A reception in honor of Judge Bason followed the ceremony.

Investiture And Swearing In Of Judge Mark D. Houle

On February 17, 2012, the Central District welcomed Judge Mark D. Houle to the bench. Chief Judge Peter H. Carroll administered the oath of office to Judge Houle at the Riverside Division, where Judge Houle maintains chambers. Judge Houle filled the judgeship vacated by Judge Ellen Carroll, who retired on February 16.

On October 11, 2012, Judge Houle’s investiture was held at the Riverside Division. U.S. Marshal David Singer gave the opening of court, Judge Houle’s two sons, Trent and Dominic, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Executive Officer/Clerk of Court Kathleen J. Campbell called the calendar. Chief Bankruptcy Judge Peter H. Carroll and Chief District Judge George H. King then welcomed more than 200 guests and introduced the judges. Judge Houle was sworn in by Chief District Judge King. The ceremony concluded with Judge Houle’s wife, Marie, and his father, Normand, performing the investiture of robe. A reception in honor of Judge Houle followed the ceremony.

Judge Ellen Carroll Retires

Judge Ellen Carroll retired on February 16, 2012, after 14 years of service. Concurrent with Judge Carroll’s retirement, two Central District judges relocated. On February 10, Judge Robert N. Kwan relocated from the Santa Ana Division to the Los Angeles Division, and on February 16, Judge Catherine E. Bauer relocated from Riverside to Santa Ana. Judge Ellen Carroll’s pending chapter 7 and 11 cases were reassigned to Judge Kwan.

Celebration Held For Judge Meredith A. Jury's Reappointment

A celebration was held at the Riverside Division on March 15, 2012, to mark the reappointment of Judge Meredith A. Jury to the bench. The event was attended by Judge Jury’s friends and family, judges from the Bankruptcy Court and District Court, Executive Officer/Clerk of Court Kathleen J. Campbell, members of the bar, and Clerk’s Office staff. The ceremony started with comments by Todd Frealy, President of the Inland Empire Bankruptcy Forum. Chief Judge Peter H. Carroll and retired Judge David Naugle spoke about Judge Jury’s strong work ethic, integrity, and her willingness to take on more than her share of work. In her brief remarks at the end of the ceremony, Judge Jury spoke about her fondness for Riverside and her gratitude for her working relationships with local counsel, her colleagues, and Court staff. A reception in honor of Judge Jury followed the ceremony.

Judge Sheri Bluebond Inducted Into American College Of Bankruptcy

On March 16, 2012, Judge Sheri Bluebond was inducted into the American College of Bankruptcy in a ceremony at the United States Supreme Court Great Hall in Washington, D.C. The American College of Bankruptcy is an honorary association of bankruptcy and insolvency professionals who are distinguished by their outstanding qualifications, ethical standards, character, integrity, and scholarship, among other criteria. Judge Bluebond, one of two judges inducted in the College’s 23rd Class of Fellows, is also a member of the College’s Judicial Outreach Committee. Judge Bluebond joins distinguished colleagues from the Court who have been inducted into the American College of Bankruptcy, including Judges Thomas B. Donovan, Geraldine Mund, Robin L. Riblet, and Barry Russell, retired Judges John E. Ryan and William J. Lasarow, and former Judge Lisa Hill Fenning.

Judge Barry Russell Honored As Most Senior Bankruptcy Judge Actively Serving In The United States

The retirement of Rhode Island Bankruptcy Judge Arthur N. Votolato in July made Central District Bankruptcy Judge Barry Russell the most senior bankruptcy judge actively serving in the United States. Judge Russell, appointed in 1974, has served in the Central District for 38 consecutive years. On August 6, 2012, Chief Judge Peter H. Carroll and Executive Officer/Clerk of Court Kathleen J. Campbell presented Judge Russell with a plaque at a surprise ceremony in honor of his new standing. Judges Sheri Bluebond, Richard M. Neiter, Sandra R. Klein, and Julia W. Brand attended, along with numerous Clerk’s Office and chambers staff. Judge Russell said that he loves what he does for a living and does not intend to retire. “There are very few jobs around that you enjoy going to every day,” he said.

Judge Erithe A. Smith Appointed To Judicial Conference Committee On Administration Of The Bankruptcy System

Judge Erithe A. Smith was appointed to the United States Judicial Conference’s Committee on the Administration of the Bankruptcy System (“Bankruptcy Committee”) by Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. for a three-year term effective October 1, 2012. Judge Smith serves on the Subcommittee on Budget Matters, as well as the Subcommittee on Estate Administration. She also serves as the Bankruptcy Committee’s liaison to the Bankruptcy Rules Committee of the Judicial Conference.

Judge Deborah J. Saltzman Appointed To CM/ECF NextGen Working Group

On November 7, 2012, Judge Deborah J. Saltzman was appointed to the national Case Management/Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) NextGen Working Group. The group includes five bankruptcy judges. The purpose of the NextGen Working Group is to review functional requirement and design documents for a new application related to how work is done in CM/ECF, and to review policy questions and make recommendations concerning whether policy issues should be referred to the Court Administration and Case Management Committee’s Next Generation Subcommittee. Judge Saltzman will provide regular updates to the Court’s IT committee and to the CM/ECF committee.

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 2012 judicial committees were: