Bankruptcy court announces transition plan

On Wednesday, Western District of New York Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Carl L. Bucki announced a transition plan to deal with the possibility that a new judicial selection may not be finalized to replace Judge John C. Ninfo II, who is retiring at the end of the year.

“There is a possibility that the two U.S. bankruptcy judges in Buffalo will have to provide temporary coverage to Rochester and Watkins Glen,” Judge Bucki said in a press release. “The Circuit Court has engaged in exhaustive consideration of the many outstandingly-qualified persons who have applied to succeed Judge Ninfo. Once the decision is made, however, the successful applicant might be subject to a full background check by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. That could take some time.”

The WDNY Bankruptcy Court judges issued an administrative order rescheduling some Rochester Motion and Chapter 13 calendars in January and February. A copy of the order is posted is posted at the court and on the court’s website, www.nywb.uscourts.gov.

Judge Michael J. Kaplan will serve the Rochester division of the court until the Second Circuit Court of Appeals chooses Judge Ninfo’s successor.

U.S. bankruptcy court judges are appointed to a 14-year term.

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York has yet to replace Judge Dennis E. Milton, who died in May 2010.

In the press release, Judge Bucki said the judges will make any adjustments necessary to assure continuity of service throughout the District until Judge Ninfo’s successor is in place.