Daniel S. Opperman
How Judge Opperman rules, drawn from 23 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
About Judge Opperman
Daniel S. Opperman serves as Chief United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan. His chambers are in Bay City, Michigan, where the court lists his docket and claim-hearing calendar.
Judge Opperman's practices and standing orders
Rules for cases before Judge Opperman, 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.
- Chambers Procedures ↗
- Notice Regarding Conduct of Hearings ↗
- Amended Notice of Audio-Conferencing Pilot ↗
Key rules
Contacting chambers
Send written requests through filed pleadings; letters to the judge are discouraged unless requested.
“Letters to the Judge are discouraged, unless specifically requested; written communications should be made only by pleadings.”
Conferences
Request a hearing adjournment at least 24 hours in advance.
“All requests for adjournments must be made at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled hearing.”
Conferences
Trials, evidentiary hearings, and other contested hearings generally take place in person unless the court specifies otherwise.
“all trials, evidentiary hearings, and other contested hearings will be conducted in person.”
Conferences
Audio conferences and non-evidentiary telephone hearings use Microsoft Teams Audio Conferencing.
“Chief Judge Opperman will conduct all audio conferences and non-evidentiary hearings by telephone using Microsoft Teams Audio Conferencing.”
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 Opperman decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In the Ronan nondischargeability dispute, the court applied issue preclusion to a state jury verdict and independently reviewed the evidence of willful injury before granting the creditor summary judgment.
“Because the Court concludes collateral estoppel applies as to a jury verdict entered in her favor, the Court grants her Motion for Summary Judgment.”
In the Majeski exemption dispute, the court accepted tracing from an individual retirement account distribution to a tax refund when deciding the trustee’s objection.
“Generally, Michigan courts have allowed for the tracing of proceeds from an exempt status such that the debtor can claim that the asset retains its exempt status.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
Opinion Granting Judgment in Favor of Plaintiff.
“DENYING PLAINTIFF MICHAEL WHITE’S MOTION FOR LEAVE”
“GRANTING JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.’S RENEWED MOTION TO DISMISS”
“DENYING REQUEST FOR SANCTIONS”
“The Court denies Plaintiff’s Motion”
“ORDER OVERRULING CREDITOR GERALD SOUCH’S OBJECTION”
“The Court denies her Motion for Summary Judgment”
“grants Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment”
“the Court partially grants the Motion for Partial”
“OPINION PARTIALLY GRANTING MOTION TO COMPEL”
“Motion for Mediation, as amended, is DENIED without prejudice”
“the Court partially sustains the objection of Mr. and Ms. Banks”
“OPINION DENYING THIRD-PARTY DEFENDANT DAVID STOCKMAN’S MOTION FOR LEAVE”
Draft for Judge Opperman with the record in hand
Ezel grounds your drafting and research in this profile: what has persuaded Judge Opperman, and what has not, cited to the signed orders.
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