Wendy A. Kinsella
How Judge Kinsella rules, drawn from 2 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
About Judge Kinsella
Wendy A. Kinsella is Chief United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of New York. She joined the court in June 2021.
Judge Kinsella's practices and standing orders
Rules for cases before Judge Kinsella, 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.
- Chambers Information and Hearing Practices ↗
- Procedures for Appearances and Hearings ↗
- Adjournment Request, Withdrawal, or Settlement Notification for Motion Matters ↗
- Adjournment Request, Withdrawal, or Settlement Notification for Confirmation Hearings ↗
Key rules
Filing
Provide a marked paper chambers copy for motions, applications, adversary pleadings, pretrial statements, and the other listed items.
“A paper chambers copy is required and must be clearly marked as ‘ECF CASE – CHAMBERS COPY’ for the following items.”
Motions
File the applicable adjournment request form electronically by 2:00 p.m. the day before a hearing before Chief Judge Kinsella.
“An adjournment request shall be made by electronically filing not later than 2:00 p.m. the day prior to the hearing one of the following forms:”
Motions
Before filing a summary judgment motion, contact Chief Judge Kinsella’s courtroom deputy to confirm the return date.
“Motions for summary judgment require the filer to contact the Courtroom Deputy (315-295-1653) to ensure the date returnable is correct.”
Conferences
For a video appearance before Chief Judge Kinsella, register by 3:00 p.m. one business day before the hearing.
“by video via Teams, for which pre-registration is required by 3:00 PM one business day before the hearing.”
Trial
Trials and evidentiary hearings before Chief Judge Kinsella require in-person appearances unless otherwise ordered.
“Unless otherwise ordered, all counsel, parties, and witnesses must appear in person at an evidentiary hearing and trial before Judge Kinsella.”
Trial
Contact Chief Judge Kinsella’s chambers in advance before offering exhibits or demonstratives at a hearing.
“A party who intends to offer exhibits or use any demonstratives at a hearing, pursuant to Local Rule 7040-1, shall contact chambers in advance for permission and further instruction.”
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 Kinsella decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
The insider settlement was approved after heightened scrutiny because the court found the settlement factors favored approval and the transaction brought assets into the estate without dictating a plan.
“after applying heightened scrutiny to the Global Settlement and balancing the Iridium factors, the Court finds the factors weigh in favor of granting the Motion.”
Cautions
Retention was denied where counsel's extensive affiliate representation created an appearance of divided loyalty that threatened confidence in the bankruptcy process.
“Jones Day is so intertwined with the Debtor’s affiliates that it creates a clear appearance of impropriety and divided loyalties.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Based on the record before it, the Court sustains the UST Objection and UCC Objection and denies the Jones Day Retention Application.”
“the Court finds the factors weigh in favor of granting the Motion.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
All six sampled matters remained pending. The Vanderbilt Minerals stream supplied the filing date for one express contested disposition; the other five supplied no separately classifiable outcome.
Draft for Judge Kinsella with the record in hand
Ezel grounds your drafting and research in this profile: what has persuaded Judge Kinsella, and what has not, cited to the signed orders.
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