TBBBA

Latest News

Proposed Amended Local Rule 9019-2 (ADR); Mediation
The judges of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida are considering significant amendments to Local Rule 9019-2 (ADR); Mediation.  The proposed amended local rule is posted on the Court’s website for public comment.  The public comment period ends on May 28, 2013.  Upon final approval by the judges, the amended local rule will be posted on June 1, 2013, with an effective date of July 1, 2013.  You may view the proposed amended rule and provide comments at http://pacer.flmb.uscourts.gov/localrules/comments.asp

Notice from the Court: Courthouse to close at 5:00 p.m. sharp

Due to federal government budget cuts, the courthouse must close promptly at 5:00 p.m. to prevent the incurring of overtime pay for the U.S. Marshal's staff.  Therefore, all hearings (no exceptions) must be concluded by 4:45 p.m. at the latest to ensure that the courthouse is closed on time.
Hearings that are not concluded by that time will have to be continued to another date and time.  Counsel are urged to meet and confer before hearings to attempt to resolve disputes consensually.  

Also, in order to ensure prompt courthouse closings, Judge McEwen will set no more than ten reaffirmation hearings on each 4:00 p.m. reaffirmation hearing docket, so counsel may experience a delay in the scheduling of reaffirmation hearings.

Notice of Change in Service Procedures

Effective May 1, 2013, the Clerk’s Office of the Middle District of Florida Bankruptcy Court will no longer serve copies of orders to interested parties in case.  With very few exceptions, it will be the responsibility of the Movant, the prevailing party, or other party as directed by the Court (“Responsible Party”) to serve copies of signed orders to interested parties and file a proof of service with the Court.  For more information, Click Here. 

Increase in Presumptively Reasonable Fees in Chapter 13 Cases (Tampa and Fort Myers Divisions) effective April 1, 2013
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What is the TBBBA?

The Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association has over 300 members representing debtors, creditors and trustees in bankruptcy.  All attorneys who practice in the Middle District of Florida are invited to join.

The Association sponsors monthly luncheons with speakers and frequent seminars which qualify for Florida Bar continuing legal education credit.  In addition, there are monthly informal consumer attorney meetings to discuss practice pointers, often with the participation of one or more of the local bankruptcy judges.

A goal of the Association is to provide its members with information necessary to the bankruptcy practice in the Tampa Division.  In addition to the Cramdown, a quarterly publication, periodic e-mail messages keep the membership informed of current bankruptcy issues.

Members are actively involved in a range of projects.  One project is designed to assist debtors that cannot afford attorney representation.  Another is working with the judiciary and the clerk's office to promote communication and meet the needs of all parties in the bankruptcy system.

Working together, Association members have developed a camaraderie among bankruptcy practitioners in this division that is noteworthy.  Please join us in this endeavor and let us have your thoughts and ideas.