Robert E. Woodward
How Judge Woodward rules, drawn from 4 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Woodward no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled here.
About Judge Woodward
Robert E. Woodward served as a United States bankruptcy judge for the Eastern District of California from 1964 until his retirement in 1986, including service as chief judge. He graduated from San Diego State University and UC Hastings College of the Law. Before joining the bench, he worked as a federal judicial clerk, deputy district attorney, and assistant United States attorney.
How Judge Woodward decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
A plan needed concrete feasibility and ongoing protection for secured creditors rather than reliance on a hoped-for future sale.
“There is nothing to prevent a debtor whose home is sold during the period of time the creditors are restrained from waiting until the escrow is about to close to convert his Chapter 13 to a Chapter 7 proceeding”
Procedural preferences
Professionals seeking payment from an estate needed approval before beginning their work.
“There being no prior order, there is no foundation upon which an order nunc pro tunc can rest.”
Cautions
A trustee's request to employ professionals had to identify a specific need and avoid even the appearance of self-dealing.
“a bankruptcy estate must be administered in such a manner as to preclude even the appearance of a possible conflict of interest or impropriety.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“confirmation of the proposed plan should be denied for failure to comply with the provisions of 11 U.S.C. 1322[b][5], 11 U.S.C. 361 and 11 U.S.C. 1325.”
“the Application of the trustee for appointment of Frank La Bella, Inc. to act as real estate appraiser and real estate broker be, and the same is, hereby denied.”
“the blanket application of the trustee to have Frank La Bella, Inc. appointed accountant (C.P.A.) for the estate is hereby denied”
“the Application for a nunc pro tunc order appointing counsel be, and the same is, hereby denied.”
“the motion of the above-named debtors to avoid the lien sought to be imposed by California Far West Transportation, Inc., be, and it is, hereby granted.”
A historical record
Judge Woodward no longer hears cases. This profile stays available as a record of how they ruled here. If you're preparing for a matter, start from the court's current bench.