Pamela W. McAfee
How Judge McAfee rules, drawn from 10 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
About Judge McAfee
Pamela W. McAfee has served as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina since January 7, 2022. Before her appointment, she practiced creditors’ rights and commercial litigation in North Carolina.
Judge McAfee's practices and standing orders
Rules for cases before Judge McAfee, as published on the court's website (checked October 11, 2026). Judges revise these often, so confirm the current version on the court's site before you file.
Key rules
Contacting chambers
Direct case-related communications to the clerk’s office with a copy to opposing counsel; contact chambers only when directed.
“All case-related communications should be directed to the clerk’s office, with a copy to opposing counsel. Do not contact chambers on a case-related matter unless directed to do so by the court.”
Conferences
For Chapter 13 motions days, file continuance motions or tell courtroom staff about settlements by noon the day before to remove a matter from the calendar.
“Counsel must file motions to continue or advise the courtroom staff of any settlements by NOON the day before a chapter 13 motions day to have a matter removed from the calendar. Resolutions and requests for continuance reached after noon will remain on the calendar and may be requested or announced in court.”
Conferences
Alert courtroom staff at least 24 hours before a hearing if a motions-calendar matter will need more than 15 minutes.
“Counsel are requested to advise the courtroom staff at least 24 hours before a scheduled hearing date if any matter on the motions calendar is expected to require more than 15 minutes of court time so that the matter may be given a specific setting.”
Conferences
File remote-appearance requests on the docket; remote argument requires cause and remote testimony requires the parties’ consent and substantial need.
“Requests for remote appearance should be filed on the docket and will be considered on a case by case basis. Remote argument is disfavored and will be allowed only for cause shown. Remote testimony is disfavored and will be allowed only with the consent of all parties, a showing of substantial need, and if the interests of justice so require.”
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 11, 2026).
How Judge McAfee decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
An undisclosed inheritance supported postconfirmation modification where the asset would have prevented confirmation if disclosed and the debtor's ability to pay had materially improved.
“The debtors have provided no authority to persuade the court that an undisclosed asset – particularly one that, if known, would have prevented confirmation in the first place – can ‘vest’ at confirmation and therefore be placed outside the jurisdiction of the court.”
Procedural preferences
Where immediate conversion would prematurely resolve strategic questions, the court selected a chapter 11 trustee to provide neutral analysis.
“The court determines in its discretion that in this case, and considering the history of Toppos with this court, appointment of a trustee is the better alternative.”
Cautions
Disclosure and reliance on counsel did not rebut fraudulent intent where multiple badges of fraud remained unexplained.
“relying on the advice of one’s attorney does not somehow cleanse a transfer that is made with actual intent to hinder creditors.”
Statutory text and precedent constrained the claimed exemption despite difficult facts and competing policy concerns.
“it is not the court’s prerogative to attempt to adjust policy, much less to make it, despite the results of that restraint sometimes having hard consequences.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“the Trustee’s motion for summary judgment is allowed on all the federal and state transfer avoidance claims”
“Mr. Albrecht’s and Ms. Moore’s cross-motion for summary judgment is denied on all claims.”
“the motion to determine that the stay does not apply is ALLOWED.”
“Accordingly, the Motion is ALLOWED, and the Hunsuckers’ Plan is to be modified”
“the Trustee’s objection to confirmation is OVERRULED.”
“the Trustee’s objection to Ms. Hutsell’s claimed exemption in the proceeds of the American General life insurance policy is SUSTAINED.”
“Accordingly, the motion to convert is denied.”
“John C. Bircher III is appointed interim chapter 11 trustee”
“Accordingly, the motion to convert is denied.”
“John C. Bircher III is appointed interim chapter 11 trustee”
“Accordingly, the motion to convert is denied.”
“John C. Bircher III is appointed interim chapter 11 trustee”
“Accordingly, the motion to convert is denied.”
“John C. Bircher III is appointed interim chapter 11 trustee”
“Accordingly, the motion to convert is denied.”
“John C. Bircher III is appointed interim chapter 11 trustee”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
Four early matters were terminated and one remained pending; those five case histories contained no retrievable entries. The remaining six matters supplied eleven express contested outcomes.
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Ezel grounds your drafting and research in this profile: what has persuaded Judge McAfee, and what has not, cited to the signed orders.
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