Stanley B. Bernstein

How Judge Bernstein rules, drawn from 18 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.

Judge Bernstein no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.

Court
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
Position
bankruptcy
Status
No longer serving
Signed orders read
18

How Judge Bernstein decides

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

What persuades

Claims with materially different legal and open-ended characteristics warranted separate classification in a reorganization plan.

“the claims for unpaid weekly workers’ compensation disability benefits are materially dissimilar in nature to justify a separate classification.”

Procedural preferences

Professional appointments turned on whether the disclosed relationship could reasonably undermine public confidence in impartiality.

“The test is subjective: Will the creditors, and the public generally, reasonably question this Court’s impartiality?”

Cautions

An insider-funded plan that preserved the same family business while discharging substantial debt failed the good-faith requirement.

“Good faith as a condition to confirmation of a plan cannot be satisfied when the Debtors seek to carry out ‘a basically dishonest scheme.’”

Signed rulings

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

In re U.S. Truck Co.
· 1984-09-07
Application for plan confirmation (U.S. Truck Company, Inc.) Denied

“The Debtor’s plan of reorganization is struck as nonconfirmable.”

In re Fulgham Enterprises, Inc.
· 1984-03-12
Application to employ counsel (Interim Chapter 7 Trustee) Granted

“The application is GRANTED.”

Simon v. Eichstadt Bros. (In re Biniecki Bros.)
· 1984-03-23
Complaint to avoid preferential transfer (Chapter 7 Trustee) Granted

“A separate judgment for the trustee in the aggregate amount of $5,995.08 has been entered on this date.”

In re Bryant
· 1984-09-07
Motion for reconsideration (General Motors Acceptance Corporation) Denied

“The motion for consideration is DENIED.”

In re Barr
· 1984-04-18
Motion to convert case (Atlantic Richfield Oil Company) Granted

“The Motion of Arco is GRANTED; this Chapter 11 case is converted to Chapter 7.”

In re La Fata
· 1984-09-07
Motion to compromise claim (Chapter 7 Trustee) Denied

“The trustee’s motion to compromise is denied.”

Perkins v. Scharffe (In re Scharffe)
· 1984-08-02
Complaint to determine nondischargeability (Betty Perkins) Denied

“The consent judgment entered into between these plaintiffs and the debtor is determined to be dis-chargeable.”

In re Michigan Interstate Railway Co.
· 1983-10-05
Motion to remove counsel (Court on order to show cause) Granted

“the firm of Barnett & Alagia is removed as counsel to the successor trustee”

In re Arnage, Inc.
· 1983-10-05
Order to show cause (Chapter 7 Trustee) Denied

“The order to show cause is DISMISSED.”

In re U.S. Truck Co.
· 1984-09-07
Motion to appoint trustee (Official Unsecured Creditors' Committee) Granted

“The motion for the appointment of a trustee is GRANTED.”

In re Michigan Interstate Railway Co.
· 1983-08-16
Application to appoint trustee firm as counsel (Railroad reorganization trustee) Denied

“The trustee’s application is DENIED.”

In re Atlas Automation, Inc.
· 1983-02-24
Application for compensation (Creditors' committee counsel) Granted in part

“the Court has determined that an hourly rate of $110 is reasonable compensation for the applicant.”

Caseload & timing

From public federal docket records for this judge.

No caseload or duration estimate is reported.

A historical record

Judge Bernstein 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.