Steven H. Friedman
How Judge Friedman rules, drawn from 20 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Friedman no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Friedman decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
A filing aimed at orderly liquidation for creditor benefit did not establish bad faith warranting sanctions.
“the debtor availed herself of the protections afforded by a chapter 11 bankruptcy filing for the purpose of conducting an orderly liquidation of her assets.”
Procedural preferences
A student-loan discharge required an adversary proceeding and proof rather than a declaration embedded in a confirmation plan.
“permit the Debtors to discharge their student loan obligation in this manner would ... allow a debtor to discharge an obligation through the confirmation process”
Cautions
Clerical tasks could not be billed at paraprofessional rates even when performed by paraprofessional staff.
“Purely clerical or secretarial tasks should not be billed at a paralegal rate, regardless of who performs them”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“the Debtors’ Motion for Authorization to Sell Homestead Subject to all Liens and Encumbrances is denied.”
“the Debtor’s Motion to Reopen Case is denied.”
“the Motion for Sanctions is denied.”
“the debtor’s Motion to Avoid Judicial Lien is denied.”
“Plaintiffs Motion for Rehearing is denied.”
“the confirmation of the Debtors’ proposed Chapter 13 plan is denied.”
“the Motion to Vacate Final Decree is denied.”
“the Motion for In Camera Review is granted as to the seized boxed documents and denied as to the information contained on the seized computers.”
“the United States’ motion for summary judgment is granted”
“the Trustee’s Objection to Amended Claimed Exemptions and Application for Turnover is overruled.”
“the Trustee’s objection to exemptions is sustained.”
“Patricia Dzikowski, trustee, is awarded $2,278.45 plus expenses of $21.15.”
“John L. Walsh, Esq. of Dzikowski and Walsh, is awarded $2,933.50 plus expenses of $350.15.”
A historical record
Judge Friedman 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.