Michael B. Kaplan
How Judge Kaplan rules, drawn from 33 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
About Judge Kaplan
Michael B. Kaplan serves as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the District of New Jersey. He joined the court in October 2006 and became chief bankruptcy judge in May 2020.
Judge Kaplan's practices and standing orders
Rules for cases before Judge Kaplan, 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.
Key rules
Filing
Send courtesy copies only when chambers specifically requests them.
“Courtesy copies of papers are not required unless specifically requested by Chambers.”
Motions
Notify chambers about filing and scheduling first-day motions in complex Chapter 11 cases.
“The parties should notify Chambers by email or by telephone regarding the filing and scheduling of all first day matters.”
Motions
Oral argument is required on an opposed summary judgment motion unless the court instructs otherwise.
“If opposition to a summary judgment motion is filed, oral argument is required unless instructed otherwise by the Court.”
Trial
Use Judge Kaplan’s designated joint scheduling order form in adversary proceedings.
“Judge Kaplan requires the use of a designated form of joint scheduling order”
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 Kaplan decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Conflicting evidence about the parties' actual understanding defeats summary judgment and sends the dispute to trial.
“Given the conflicting evidence weighing against Marlow's position, the Court finds that there is, in fact, a genuine dispute for trial; therefore, Summary Judgment is not appropriate at this time.”
State-court findings can establish intentional misrepresentation for nondischargeability when the record identifies the debtor's knowing deception.
“For the foregoing reasons, the Court finds that Debtor knowingly misrepresented his qualifications and obligations under the contract with the intent to deceive Plaintiffs.”
Procedural preferences
Bankruptcy filing deadlines are enforced despite sympathetic allegations when the Code supplies no compliant extension basis.
“this Court must recognize and enforce the filing deadlines set forth in the Bankruptcy Code.”
In a venue challenge to a Chapter 11 case, the court considered how transfer would affect the restructuring timetable and financing.
“complications that accompany a transfer would jeopardize the success of the reorganization”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“The Court will enter an Order granting SPR’s motion for summary judgment on count one of the Complaint”
“denying Debtors’ Cross Motion for Summary Judgment”
“the Movants’ Motion seeking an extension of time to file an adversary proceeding (ECF No. 30) is DENIED.”
“This Court overrules the Association’s objection”
“grants confirmation of the Debtors’ proposed plan”
“Accordingly, the IRS’s Motion for Reconsideration [Docket Entry No. 420] is GRANTED”
“Accordingly, the Court grants the Trustee’s Motion.”
“Accordingly, the Court denies Chase’s Motion.”
“For the reasons set forth below, Chase’s Motion for Summary Judgment is DENIED and the Trustee’s Cross Motion for Summary Judgment is DENIED.”
“For the reasons explained above, Marlow's Motion for Summary Judgment is DENIED.”
“Accordingly, the Court denies the Debtors’ motion.”
“For the reasons set forth above, the Plaintiff’s Motion DENIED”
“Holiday City’s Cross Motion is GRANTED.”
“Summary judgment in favor of Plaintiff is warranted.”
“Debtor’s motion for summary judgment is denied.”
“For the reasons set forth below, Plaintiffs’ motion is GRANTED”
“Debtor’s motion is DENIED.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
All five sampled proceedings were terminated. Two streams supplied classifiable outcomes; generic dismissal and settlement labels were excluded.
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