James A. Goodman
How Judge Goodman rules, drawn from 28 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Goodman no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Goodman decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
A timely pleading could proceed when its factual allegations and requested remedy clearly identified the claim despite citing the wrong statutory section.
“The actual wording of a complaint, not the citation of a particular section of the United States Bankruptcy Code, is controlling.”
A creditors' committee received derivative authority where the proposed claim was colorable, potentially beneficial, and the conflicted debtor in possession unjustifiably refused to sue.
“the Court finds that the complaint states a colorable claim which may benefit the estate.”
Procedural preferences
A party seeking relief after a deadline was expected to show diligence, particularly when it had possessed the decisive document throughout the filing period.
“this delay of nearly five months could have been prevented had the bank been diligent.”
Prior court authorization was treated as a prerequisite to professional compensation from estate assets, even where the work was performed in good faith.
“When there is no compliance with the Code or rules, there is no right to compensation.”
On appeal, a party could not lose a contested request based on objections and relief first introduced after the hearing without notice and another opportunity to respond.
“Under these circumstances, it was unfair to deny Little’s request without an additional hearing.”
Cautions
Discharge protected the debtor from personal collection but did not erase a valid perfected lien against collateral.
“Congress intended that valid liens should survive bankruptcy discharge.”
Professional disclosure duties extended to all connections and adverse interests, regardless of counsel's view that a relationship was insignificant.
“Smith had an obligation to disclose any and all connections he had with HTR and its insiders, and with Pequot, and to disclose the adverse interests between HTR and Pequot, no matter how insignificant or irrelevant he may have believed those connections to be.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“For these reasons, the trustee’s objection is sustained.”
“Defendant’s motion for summary judgment is granted and the Trustee’s motion is denied.”
“ORDERED that the lien claimed by Wetterau Portland, Inc. pursuant to a security agreement dated December 19, 1983 against the sum of $29,800 received by the estate from Owen Young is declared void.”
“the trustee’s complaint shall be dismissed as moot.”
“Because neither the automatic stay nor the discharge injunction here prevent plaintiff from pursuing whatever rights it may have in property, the Court will dismiss plaintiff’s complaints.”
The court required detailed offers of proof before deciding the requested venue transfer.
“Accordingly, the bank’s motion for extension of time must be denied.”
The debtor was ordered to document a meritorious defense before the court would decide whether to vacate a default judgment.
“The Court therefore holds the V.A. in civil contempt.”
“The plaintiff is granted relief from the discharge injunction to proceed upon its security interest in the debtor’s 1978 Dodge Ramcharger motor vehicle in accordance with state law.”
“The ‘debt’ created by Restitution Claim arises from a restitution obligation of the Debtor and is therefore nondischargeable in this bankruptcy case.”
“The trustee’s application for attorney’s fees is denied.”
A historical record
Judge Goodman 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.