Bankruptcy News

1. 40 Years Later, Pioneering Women Judges Savor Place in History

   In 1979, 23 women were appointed to the federal bench—more than doubling the number of women appointed to life-tenured judgeships in the previous 190 year history of the United States. The doors they opened never swung shut again. Forty years later, women make up one-third of the courts’ full-time, active Article III judges.

2. Judges Explain Rule of Law, Why It Matters

   Nine federal judges, in a new Judiciary “Court Shorts” video, explain how fair and consistent adherence to the law protects our rights and well-being in everyday situations like buying a breakfast sandwich, reading mail, and investing in the stock market.

3. ABA Honors Judge M. Margaret McKeown With Marshall Award

   Judge M. Margaret McKeown of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is to  receive the American Bar Association’s prestigious John Marshall Award Friday, Aug. 9, during the ABA’s annual meeting in San Francisco. 

4. June 2019 Bankruptcy Filings Fall 0.3 Percent

   Bankruptcy filings fell 0.3 percent for the 12-month period ending June 30, 2019, according to statistics released by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. 

5. Probation Officers Looking for Future Officers in the Classroom

   Federal probation offices around the country are reaching into local schools, sometimes helped by furry drug-sniffing dogs. Their goal? Raising awareness about the work of pretrial and probation officers and encouraging a diverse group of future officers.

6. Chief Judge Carl E. Stewart to Receive 2019 Devitt Award

   Chief Judge Carl E. Stewart of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit is the recipient of the 2019 Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award. Stewart will formally receive the award on Oct. 17 in a ceremony at the U.S. Supreme Court.

7. Panels Focus on Merit in Selection of Magistrate Judges

   Magistrate judges play a critical role in the federal Judiciary, fulfilling a broad range of responsibilities and easing heavy caseloads in district courts. A new video by the U.S courts. explains the merit selection process for these judges.

8. 2018 Wiretap Report: Orders and Convictions Fall

   Federal and state courts reported a combined 23 percent decrease in authorized wiretaps in 2018, compared with 2017, according to the Judiciary’s 2018 Wiretap report. Convictions in cases involving electronic surveillance also fell sharply.

9. Judiciary Creates Public User Group for PACER

   The federal Judiciary has created and is seeking members for a public user group to provide advice and feedback on ways to improve its electronic public access services. 

10. Vaping Scenario Shows How the 4th Amendment Applies at School

    What happens when school officials search a backpack and find an underage student’s e-cigarettes? An innovative courtroom program helps students understand how search and seizure laws affect them.