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Read how you can help.5/8/2020, The TBBBA supports the Bankruptcy Venue Reform Act of 2019 (H.R. 4421, the “Act”), and we need your help to make it become reality. Read how you can help.. Read the letter from the judges.
5/5/2020, News release below from Florida’s Chief Justice announcing a new emergency order increasing the list of proceedings state courts will accomplish by remote technology during the coronavirus pandemic. The order also extends the current suspension of jury trials in Florida until July 2.
4/23/2020, Administrative Order 2020-6, Adoption of Interim Bankruptcy Rule 1020 for service
4/16/2020

We are sure it comes as no surprise to you at this point, but the TBBBA has made the difficult decision to cancel its remaining events for the 2019-2020 year and to postpone its Annual Dinner to August 20, 2020.  The decision was not made lightly, and was made with the health and safety of our members and community in mind.  We look forward to the Annual Dinner each year, so we share in your disappointment in this change of plans.  Thank you all for your understanding and tireless support of the TBBBA, and thank you for everything you are doing in our community during this difficult time.  We are excited to see you in August.

Thanks, Kathleen

4/4/2020
The US Trustee has provided an  “information and instruction sheet” regarding telephonic meetings of creditors. The dial-in number and participant code for the telephone conference line will appear on the notice of meeting of creditors. Please find the instruction and information sheet here
4/3/2020
Memorandum from Jon Waage Chapter 13 Trustee regarding Chapter 13 cases pending in the Fort Myers Division and Tampa
3/27/2020

3/24/2020
Administrative Order Temporarily Suspending Attorneys’ Obligation to Obtain Possession of Clients’ Original Signatures Prior to Filing Petitions and Other Papers
3/23/2020
Administrative Order Regarding Interim Bankruptcy Filing Procedures for Parties Not Represented by an Attorney
3/18/2020
The Golf Tournament scheduled for Friday,  April 17, 2020 is cancelled.The TBBBA takes the health and wellness of its members to heart and we need to do our part to help stem the spread of the COVID-19 virus.Rest assured, the Honorable Paul M. Glenn Memorial Golf Tournament will be in full swing next year.  
3/17/2020
Effective immediately, all in-person chapter 7, 12, and 13 section 341 meetings scheduled through April 10, 2020, in the Middle District of Florida are hereby continued until a later date to be determined. Absent special circumstances, section 341 meetings may not proceed during this period except through telephonic or other alternative means not requiring personal appearance by debtors. Appropriate notice will be provided to parties in accordance with bankruptcy law and rules.
Meetings already noticed as telephonic meetings may proceed as scheduled.
Click HERE to view the full announcement.
3/14/2020
Dear TBBBA Members:
Please see the below announcement from Chief Judge Delano regarding procedures effective March 16, 2020. In light of these developments and based on available guidance from reliable sources, all TBBBA events through April 15, 2020 are cancelled, including the TopGolf social event, the April 7th Consumer Lunch, the April 14th CLE Lunch as well as Lori Vaughan’s Investiture. Refunds for these events will be processed next week. Please contact Kathleen L. DiSanto (kdisanto@bushross.com, 813-204-6409) if you have any questions or concerns regarding refunds.
The pro bono clinic will be closed for so long as the bankruptcy courts are not holding in person hearings, effective 3/16/2020.
We are continuing to evaluate whether the Inaugural Judge Glenn Golf Tournament can go forward on April 17th and will continue to update you regarding the tournament as additional information is available.
We wish all of our members good health during these difficult times.
BANKRUPTCY COURT HEARING PROCEDURES EFFECTIVE MARCH 16, 2020
The bankruptcy judges of the Middle District of Florida are monitoring reports regarding the Coronovirus Disease known as COVID-19. In light of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s recommendation that everyone avoid crowds and exercise “social distancing,” effective Monday, March 16, 2020, and continuing until further notice, the Court has implemented the following policies:
1.       Judges in all Divisions will conduct all non-evidentiary hearings by telephone. Attorneys should arrange to appear via CourtCall or CourtSolutions as indicated on each judge’s webpage (www.flmb.uscourts.gov). Both CourtCall and CourtSolutions have agreed to waive their charges for pro se parties. A party who is not represented by counsel and is unable to coordinate with CourtCall or CourtSolutions should contact the judge’s courtroom deputy. Contact information is listed on each judge’s webpage.
2.       Individual judges may determine to continue evidentiary hearings and trials that are not time-sensitive. In that event, Court staff will contact counsel for the parties and an order continuing the hearing or trial will be entered. 
3.       Any party who has a valid basis for requesting the continuance of an evidentiary or non-evidentiary hearing may file a motion to continue. Motions to continue shall include a statement that the movant has conferred with counsel for opposing parties concerning the requested continuance, and the position of other parties concerning the request.

United States Trustee, Region 21, Tampa

Press_Release, Judge_Vaughan_Appointment_March_2020

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Administrative Order, re Adoption of Interim Bankruptcy Rules. Click here to read

Administrative Order S-2020-010 (Professionalism Committee), which supersedes Administrative Order S-2019-003. Click here to read the order.

Fall 2019 Edition of CRAMDOWN

Event Photos

McClurg Award

Congratulations to Russ Blain, debut recipient of Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association’s highest honor, the McClurg Award. The McClurg recognizes those attorneys who have demonstrated a lifetime of outstanding effectiveness in the presentation of matters to the Bankruptcy Court; a reputation for thorough preparation; civility and courtesy to opposing counsel; appropriate courtroom demeanor; ethical conduct and professionalism at the highest level; and long-term service to the bankruptcy bar.

Pro Bono Opportunities

Below is the link to reach Sign Up Genius for anyone interested in volunteering at the Tampa Bay Bar Association Pro Bono Clinic.    The clinic is open Monday and Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.. If you are in need of pro bono assistance, you can walk in.

Should anyone have a question, please feel free to contact Angelina Lim at AngelinaL@JPFirm.com or by phone at 813 225-2500 x2060. Thank You!

February sign up  |  March sign up

Florida Pro Bono Matters
Finding just the right pro bono case is now a snap – or at least just a couple of clicks – thanks to a new interactive website funded by The Florida Bar Foundation. Search through available pro bono matters by filtering for subject matter and locale. When you find the right opportunity, fill in your information and submit. The posting organization will then contact you with more information. It’s really that simple.
https://thefloridabarfoundation.org/florida-pro-bono-matters/

CARE Opportunities 

With the new school year now underway, we are actively seeking opportunities to present our new CARE materials here in the Tampa Bay area.  If you know of a school or other group who would be a good audience for the CARE message, please let Brad deBeaubien know and he will be glad to reach out to set up a presentation.

From HCBA

Military Veterans Affairs Committee assists Tampa Bay’s military and veterans in legal matters.  Lawyers can sign up to do pro bono or reduced fee cases for vets. The committee is in need of bankruptcy attorneys.

Handbook on Civil Discovery Practice

The Judges of the Middle District of Florida have revised the Handbook on Civil Discovery Practice.  Attached for your review is a copy of the now operative Civil Discovery Handbook.  The Civil Discovery Handbook is also available for download on the Court’s website, located at www.flmd.uscourts.gov. Download the file 

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.