James R. Ahler
How Judge Ahler rules, drawn from 24 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
About Judge Ahler
James R. Ahler joined the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana in June 2017 and became chief judge in January 2023. He previously served on the Jasper County Superior Court and practiced law.
Judge Ahler's practices and standing orders
Rules for cases before Judge Ahler, as published on the court's website (checked October 10, 2026). Judges revise these often, so confirm the current version on the court's site before you file.
Key rules
Conferences
For a telephonic hearing before Chief Judge Ahler, call 571-353-2301 and enter access code 018194371.
“Telephonic Hearing Dial-in Information: Phone Number: 571-353-2301 Access Code: 018194371”
Standing orders for every case in this court
Orders the court applies to all of its cases, whichever judge has them, as published on the court's website (checked October 10, 2026).
How Judge Ahler decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
A cure-by-sale plan needs concrete marketing evidence and realistic sale timing rather than events outside the debtor's control.
“If a debtor cannot produce anything more than remote speculation as to the terms or dates of a sale. .. the court cannot confirm the plan.”
Procedural preferences
Claim objections must identify a statutory ground for disallowance even when the creditor does not respond.
“an objection to a proof of claim must allege facts which, if accepted as true, would trigger one of the statutory reasons for denying a claim. If it does not, the objection should not be sustained.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Therefore, since there are no allegations whatsoever that Defendant acted with the required intent to deceive, Plaintiff’s Motion is DENIED.”
“For the foregoing reasons, the Court now DENIES Plaintiff’s Motion to Withdraw Admissions.”
“the Union’s Motion is granted and the automatic stay of 11 U.S.C. § 362 does not preclude the arbitration”
“Therefore, under the facts presented, the Court finds that the Motion should be denied.”
“Therefore, under the facts presented, the Court finds that the Motion should be denied.”
“For the foregoing reasons, Babcoke’s Motion for Rule to Show Cause and Execution Pursuant to Civil Rule 70 and Bankruptcy Rules 9020 and 9021 is DENIED.”
“For the foregoing reasons, the Treasurer’s objection is sustained, and confirmation of the Amended Plan is DENIED.”
“Motion to Set Aside Order of Relief & Abandonment is DENIED.”
Following trial, the debtor received damages and attorney fees for collection conduct that violated bankruptcy protections.
“For the reasons stated herein, the Court partially GRANTS summary judgment, in favor of Trustee with respect to COUNT I of the Complaint and finds that, as of the Petition Date, Debtor held a 100% interest in Dapan Entertainment, and that interest is property of the bankruptcy estate pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 541. However, summary judgment is DENIED, in part, as to Count I of the Complaint as to whether Debtor, as of the petition date, held a 100% membership interest in Dapan Investments.”
“summary judgment is DENIED.”
After trial, the court found that the debtor's ownership interest belonged to the bankruptcy estate.
“IT IS THREFORE ORDERED that Debtor’s Motion to Reinstate Case is DENIED.”
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Ezel grounds your drafting and research in this profile: what has persuaded Judge Ahler, and what has not, cited to the signed orders.
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