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Bankruptcy filings continue downward trend 

By: Kimberly Atkins
Published: May 18, 2012

Tags: bankruptcy filings, Federal courts

WASHINGTON – After years of record-breaking numbers of bankruptcy filings, the recent trend of declining filings continues, based on the most recent figures released by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.

Federal removal statute creates venue changes 

By: David Frank
Published: February 17, 2012

Tags: Discovery, Federal courts, jurisdiction, venue

Civil practitioners say a new federal venue law that quietly went into effect last month will lead to an increase in diversity-based discovery and cut down on the “jurisdictional gamesmanship” that regularly occurs in litigation.

Bankruptcy judges, lawyers frustrated by ‘Stern’ ruling 

By: David Frank and Kimberly Atkins
Published: December 30, 2011

Tags: Article III, Bankruptcy, Federal courts, Stern v. Marshall

U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Barbara J. Houser’s job is a lot harder than it used to be, and she is not afraid to admit it.

The problem for Houser and her colleagues, as well as practitioners across the country, is the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2011 Stern v. Marshall decision, which limited the ability of judges to hear and rule on claims that regularly arise outside the Bankruptcy Code.

Can federal court hear telemarketing abuse claims? 

By: Kimberly Atkins
Published: November 28, 2011

Tags: consumer protection, Federal courts, state courts, Telephone Consumer Protection Act

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court tried to decipher the strange wording of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act on Monday to determine if plaintiffs can sue in federal court rather than state court.

More bankruptcy filers opt to skip lawyers, Courts say 

Published: October 24, 2011

Tags: Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, bankruptcy filings, Federal courts

WASHINGTON – The number of people choosing to file for bankruptcy without the aid of an attorney has nearly tripled in the last five years – a rate of growth much higher than the overall growth of bankruptcy filings, according to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.

Headaches for lawyers averted with budget deal 

Published: April 11, 2011

Tags: Congress, federal agencies, Federal courts, Obama, shutdown

WASHINGTON – Just hours before the U.S. government was set to shut down due to a lack of funding, Washington lawmakers agreed to a short-term budget plan Friday night, ensuring that courtrooms and agencies crucial to lawyers will remain open for business.

Government shutdown would halt systems critical to lawyers 

By: Kimberly Atkins
Published: April 8, 2011

Tags: FDA, federal agencies, Federal courts, FHA, government shutdown, Justice Department, NLRB, SBA

The budget impasse and resulting government shutdown would have widespread effects on systems critical to attorneys, slowing some courtroom and agency operations while bringing others to a screeching halt.

Senators renew push for cameras in the courtroom 

By: Kimberly Atkins
Published: February 28, 2011

Tags: cameras, Congress, Federal courts, Sunshine in the Courtroom Act

WASHINGTON – A bipartisan group of Senate lawmakers has introduced a bill to give federal trial and appellate judges the authority to allow cameras in the courtroom.

Consumer bankruptcies rise in 2010 

By: Kimberly Atkins
Published: January 6, 2011

Tags: Bankruptcy, Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act, consumer bankruptcy, Federal courts

WASHINGTON – Consumer bankruptcy filings rose 9 percent in 2010, according to a new report by the American Bankruptcy Institute.

Most supervised federal offenders avoid arrest 

By: Kimberly Atkins
Published: January 6, 2011

Tags: Criminal Law, Federal courts, recidivism, supervised release

WASHINGTON – More than 75 percent of federal offenders on supervised release remain arrest-free during their first three years after release, according to a study by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.