John H. Squires
How Judge Squires rules, drawn from 20 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Squires no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Squires decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Professional services tied to estate administration required disclosure and advance retention approval.
“Full disclosure and prior approval of the Debtor’s retention of bankruptcy professionals is required to protect creditors from unnecessary diminution of the Debt- or’s assets.”
Procedural preferences
A motion to alter or amend had to identify manifest error, new evidence, or a change in controlling law rather than reargue the case.
“Rule 59(e) motions serve a narrow purpose and must clearly establish a manifest error of law or fact, newly discovered evidence”
Cautions
An adverse appellate result did not itself establish that a trustee's position was sanctionable.
“The Court will not sanction the Trustee and the Firm because it agreed with the Trustee’s position, but ultimately was reversed by a higher court.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“For the foregoing reasons, the Court finds that although Schaller received fees over and above the flat fee arrangement he entered into with the Debtor, which were encompassed within that agreement, Schaller has refunded all of the fees and has corrected the erroneous Rule 2016 statement filed in this case (and many others). The evidence does not support a finding of civil contempt because Schaller did not violate any order of the Court, notwithstanding the errors and omissions in the Rule 2016 statement.”
“For the foregoing reasons, the Court concludes that the Modified Plan, with the addition of the above referenced certain special terms, shall be confirmed and the objection of AmeriCredit is overruled.”
“For the reasons set forth herein, the Court denies the Plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment.”
“Further, the Court grants the Debt- or’s motion.”
“For the foregoing reasons, the Court allows the Applicant interim compensation in the sum of $140,000 and reimbursement of expenses in the amount of $29,371.49.”
“For the foregoing reasons, the Court denies Spehar’s motion for relief from the judgment pursuant to Rule 60(b)(2).”
“For the reasons set forth herein, the Court denies the Debtor’s motion and sustains the objections filed by Puritan Finance Corporation and Parkway Bank and Trust Company.”
“For the foregoing reasons, the Court sustains the Debtor’s objection to the claim of the Creditor.”
After trial, the court entered a nondischargeability judgment based on false representations.
“For the foregoing reasons, the Court grants the Trustee’s motion and dismisses the case.”
“For the foregoing reasons, the Court grants the Defendants’ motion to quash, denies their motion to dismiss the adversary under either Rule 4(m) or 41(b), and denies their request for the imposition of Bankruptcy Rule 9011 sanctions.”
After trial, the court entered a mixed nondischargeability judgment across several debts and statutory theories.
“For the foregoing reasons, the UST’s motion is granted and the Debtor’s case is dismissed under § 707(b)(3)(B).”
A historical record
Judge Squires 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.