Dale L. Somers

How Judge Somers rules, drawn from 20 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.

Court
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Kansas
Position
bankruptcy
Commissioned
2003-09-19
Education
Kansas State University, undergraduate degree; University of Kansas School of Law, J.D.
Signed orders read
20

How Judge Somers decides

Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.

What persuades

A preference complaint may plead statutory due diligence generally without anticipating and rebutting every affirmative defense.

“It is sufficient that Trustee alleged he did not find any viable defenses.”

Cautions

Plan feasibility requires evidence-based projections rather than optimism dependent on continuing outside support.

“The plan simply does not provide a realistic and workable framework for reorganization and cannot be confirmed as feasible under § 1129(a)(11).”

Signed rulings

A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.

Rebein v. Tempel Grain Elevators, LLP
25-07002 (24-40446) · 2025-10-22
Motions to dismiss (Tempel Grain Elevators, LLP) Denied

“WHEREFORE, THE COURT ORDERS that for the reasons set for herein, the Motion is denied.”

In re JT Johnson, Jr.
25-40192 · 2025-10-07
Motion to dismiss bankruptcy case (Chapter 13 Trustee) Granted

“WHEREFORE, THE COURT ORDERS that the Chapter 13 Trustee’s motion will be granted, and this case will be dismissed for cause if Debtor does not file a voluntary notice of conversion to chapter 7 or a motion to convert to another chapter for which he is eligible within 14 days of entry of this order.”

Request for confirmation of chapter 13 plan (JT Johnson, Jr.) Moot / procedural

“Second Amended Chapter 13 Plan 16 and Debtor’s Motion for Valuation 17 are denied as moot.”

Motion for valuation (JT Johnson, Jr.) Moot / procedural
Patterson v. Educational Credit Management Corp.
24-06015 (19-22213) · 2025-08-22
Summary judgment (Anjannette M. Patterson) Denied

“Accordingly, the Court denies the Debtor’s Motion in favor of ruling on all issues with a fully developed record after trial.”

In re James J. Frank
24-20779 · 2025-08-12
Request for confirmation of chapter 11 plan (James J. Frank) Denied

“WHEREFORE, THE COURT ORDERS that for the reasons set forth herein, confirmation of the Plan is hereby denied.”

Apple Central KC, LLC v. Applebee’s Franchisor, LLC
25-06002 (24-21427) · 2025-06-30

The recommendation to deny withdrawal of the reference was retained but excluded because district-court adoption was not verified.

Apple Central KC, LLC v. Applebee’s Franchisor, LLC
25-06002 (24-21427) · 2025-06-30
Motion for discretionary abstention (Applebee’s Franchisor, LLC) Denied

“Applebee’s Motion for Discretionary Abstention is therefore denied.”

Apple Central KC, LLC v. Applebee’s Franchisor, LLC
25-06002 (24-21427) · 2025-06-30
Motion to dismiss party (Apple Central KC, LLC) Denied

“Accordingly, the Debtor’s Motion to Dismiss ARK is denied.”

Apple Central KC, LLC v. Applebee’s Franchisor, LLC
25-06002 (24-21427) · 2025-06-30
Motion to strike jury demand (Apple Central KC, LLC) Granted

“The Debtor’s Motion to Strike Jury Demand is granted.”

In re Terrabella Studios, LLC
24-40268 · 2025-05-15
Motion to declare lease terminated or for stay relief (29th Street Partners) Granted

“Order on 29th Street Partners’ Motion to Declare Lease was Terminated Prepetition or Alternatively, to Grant Relief from Stay”

In re Brandon Humberto Estanol and Alexandria Paige Estanol
24-40454 · 2025-05-14
Application for return of preconfirmation funds (Debtors’ former counsel) Denied

“For the reasons discussed above, the Court denies Counsel’s application as filed.”

In re Jacob Dean Lindesmith and Kelsey Dawn Lindesmith
24-40313 · 2025-05-12
Motion to dismiss or convert (U.S. Trustee) Denied

“After careful consideration of the evidence and the arguments, the Court denies the U.S. Trustee’s motion to dismiss or convert.”

In re Lodging Enterprises, LLC
24-40423 · 2025-04-07
Objection to claim (Lodging Enterprises, LLC) Granted

“Memorandum Opinion and Order Sustaining Debtor’s Objections to Proofs of Claim”

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