United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Ohio
Hon. Pat E. Morgenstern-Clarren, Chief Judge
Kenneth J. Hirz, Clerk of Court
Divisions: 5 (Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Toledo and Youngstown)
Number of Judges: 8 Authorized Judgeships
Number of Employees: 16 Chambers Staff and 57 Clerk's Office Staff
NCBC Sixth Circuit Liaison: Josiah Sell (Cleveland);
Local Representatives: Susan Roberts (Toledo) and Brenda Heminger (Akron)
Local Innovation: In response to budget reductions and the resulting reductions in staffing levels, the Court created an Automation Committee in 2013 that has employed ADI to perform many functions, including notices, receipts for the cash register program, docketing audio files, ACH, CHAP minute entries, and more. ADI docket events currently make up 12% of all docket events and 37% of notices. The Court has also customized E-Orders which keeps the system operating efficiently and enhanced E-Order logging to provide more logging information among other enhancements. Streamlining procedures has been a priority in order to most efficiently serve 8 bankruptcy judges. The Case Administration Procedures Manual (CAPM) details the requirements of each judge which has allowed staff to embrace docketing across divisional lines to improve efficiency while adjusting to uneven staffing reductions in divisional offices. Like many bankruptcy courts around the country, OHNB has effectively used technology to minimize human capital needs in this austere budget climate.
Hon. Pat E. Morgenstern-Clarren, Chief Judge
Kenneth J. Hirz, Clerk of Court
Divisions: 5 (Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Toledo and Youngstown)
Number of Judges: 8 Authorized Judgeships
Number of Employees: 16 Chambers Staff and 57 Clerk's Office Staff
NCBC Sixth Circuit Liaison: Josiah Sell (Cleveland);
Local Representatives: Susan Roberts (Toledo) and Brenda Heminger (Akron)
Local Innovation: In response to budget reductions and the resulting reductions in staffing levels, the Court created an Automation Committee in 2013 that has employed ADI to perform many functions, including notices, receipts for the cash register program, docketing audio files, ACH, CHAP minute entries, and more. ADI docket events currently make up 12% of all docket events and 37% of notices. The Court has also customized E-Orders which keeps the system operating efficiently and enhanced E-Order logging to provide more logging information among other enhancements. Streamlining procedures has been a priority in order to most efficiently serve 8 bankruptcy judges. The Case Administration Procedures Manual (CAPM) details the requirements of each judge which has allowed staff to embrace docketing across divisional lines to improve efficiency while adjusting to uneven staffing reductions in divisional offices. Like many bankruptcy courts around the country, OHNB has effectively used technology to minimize human capital needs in this austere budget climate.