Samuel L. Bufford
How Judge Bufford rules, drawn from 20 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Bufford no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Bufford decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Procedural preferences
A Chapter 13 plan built primarily on replacing old debt with new borrowing was not treated as a viable fresh-start plan.
“The substitution of new debt for more than 70% of the existing, old debt is simply not within the contemplation of chapter 13.”
Cautions
An initial consultation can create a disqualifying conflict when likely confidential disclosures concern a substantially related later representation.
“This court holds that an attorney must be disqualified on conflict of interest grounds if the attorney meets with a client under circumstances in which confidential information would likely be disclosed, and the attorney subsequently represents an adverse client in a substantially related matter, even if the former client never employed the attorney.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Summary judgment is granted to Aura.”
“The court finds that Nevens is entitled to judgment that $50,000 of the state court judgment, plus interest accruing thereon at ten percent from the date of judgment to the date of the bankruptcy filing, is nondischargeable.”
“For the foregoing reasons, the court concludes that the $240,000 portion of the judgment plus the costs and attorneys’ fees are discharged.”
“Accordingly, the court denies confirmation of the plan.”
“In consequence, the court finds that the Greens are entitled to judgment after trial in this adversary proceeding.”
“The court finds that dismissing only Ms. Aguirre from this case is an appropriate remedy in light of policies favoring debtors drawn from relevant case law and the court’s statutory authority and its discretion pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 105(a).”
“The motion to dismiss the WARN Act claim against the trustee is granted without leave to amend.”
“Given these circumstances and the court’s concern for judicial economy, there is compelling evidence to remand this adversary proceeding to the Alameda County Superior Court so that the state court proceeding may be completed.”
“The removal of this adversary proceeding to this court was proper, even though the court had not yet entered an order of relief in this involuntary bankruptcy case.”
“The court concludes that grounds for recusal or reassignment of this case have not been shown. The motion is denied in all respects.”
“The court notes that, after denying the motion to rely on the requests for admission, plaintiff proceeded to prove its case on the merits with other evidence”
“plaintiff showed that he is entitled to judgment against the defendant in the amount requested, and a determination that the debt is not dischargeable.”
“Because no other prospective bidders appeared at the hearing, the court has approved the sale.”
“The communication here at issue was made in the furtherance of this common interest, and has not been otherwise disclosed. It thus is entitled to protection under the common interest extension of the attorney-client privilege.”
A historical record
Judge Bufford no longer hears cases. This profile stays available as a record of how they ruled. If you're preparing for a matter, start from the court's current bench.