In furtherance of the General Order 20-9, the Court’s Social Distancing Policy, and to reduce the exchange of paper and movement within the courtroom, the Judges are strongly encouraging parties to use electronic exhibits for all evidentiary proceedings. The Court has issued General Order 20-9 amending Local Rule 9070-1(b), encouraging and facilitating the use of electronic exhibits for all evidentiary proceedings. The amended rule can be found here.
Cloud Evidence System
Parties can upload exhibits to the Court using the Cloud Evidence System (“CES”). Parties will receive an e-mail from the Courtroom Deputy providing them with a link to use to upload exhibits along with instructions on how to use the system.
Electronic Evidence Presentation System
Once exhibits are uploaded to CES, they are available to be displayed electronically on the Court’s Electronic Evidence Presentation System (“EEPS”).
Additional information is available here. The instructions on using CES and EEPS can be found here.
NOTICE OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE LOCAL BANKRUPTCY RULES AND FORMS
TO BECOME EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2020
Posted July 9, 2020, Comment Period Ends August 10, 2020
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania proposes to amend Local Bankruptcy Rule 5005-1(a)(3). The changes have been provisionally approved by the Bankruptcy Judges. The Court hereby offers public notice of the proposed amendments and seeks public comment. The amendments to the Local Rules will become effective on September 1, 2020. Comments on the proposed amendments may be submitted either by email to PAMB_Local_Rules [at] pamb.uscourts.govor by U.S. Mail to the Honorable Henry W. Van Eck, Ronald Reagan Federal Building, 228 Walnut Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17101. Comments must be submitted no later than August 10, 2020.
Check out PACER’s newly redesigned, informational and resource website, https://pacer.uscourts.gov. The website provides information about how the public can access federal court records electronically and have easy access to PACER and PACER-related applications. New features include:
• Mobile friendly design;
• New tool to search for court-specific information;
• Interactive format to search frequently asked questions;
• Search engine has been optimized to improve content findability;
• JSON and XML feeds of court-specific information; and
• New accessibility tools.
In addition, two PACER applications—Manage My Account and Registration—have new designs to create an improved user experience.
LAW CLERK VACANCY
Position Title: Judicial Law Clerk to Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge
Position Type: Full-Time, term position
Location: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Position Available: October 2020
Salary Range: JSP Grade Level 11/1 to JSP 13/10 ($64,699 - $119,882)
(Depending upon experience, qualifications and prior federal experience)
Date Opened: May 5, 2020
Closing Date: June 15, 2020
POSITION OVERVIEW:
Applications are being accepted for the position of term law clerk for Chief Bankruptcy Judge Henry W. Van Eck. The position is for a two year term, available October, 2020.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Duties include, but are not limited to, preparation of pre-hearing/trial case summaries using the Court’s electronic calendaring program; performing legal research; preparing memos, orders, correspondence, and drafts opinions for the Judge’s consideration; reviewing dockets of pending litigation and monitoring case progress; providing information to the Judge in connection with pending litigation; proofreading orders and opinions; and assisting the Judge during courtroom proceedings. Judicial law clerks will also be responsible for some clerical/administrative duties, as Chambers’ arrangements do not include a judicial assistant. The position involves significant interaction with staff of the Clerk’s office, members of the bar and pro se litigants. The incumbent will communicate with counsel, court officials, and litigants regarding procedural requirements.
REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicant must have graduated from an accredited law school. An academic background and/or experience in bankruptcy law is preferred. Post college full-time work experience is a plus. The preferred candidate will be in the upper quarter of the law school class and possess excellent legal writing, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. Proficiency in Word or WordPerfect and computer-assisted legal research is required.
To qualify for grade 12, one year of post graduate legal work experience is required; to qualify for grade 13, two years of post graduate legal work experience is required. With the exception of grade 11, a bar membership is required.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
The selected applicant is eligible for a choice of health, dental and vision insurance coverage
from a variety of plans. Participation in the Federal Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Group
Long Term Disability, Flexible Spending Plan and Commuter Reimbursement Plan is optional.
The selected applicant will be paid ten (10) holidays per year. This position is not covered by the
Leave Act. All leave is at the Judge’s discretion.
MISCELLANEOUS:
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania serves a 33-county
area in central and northeastern Pennsylvania. The Southern Division of the Court is based in
Harrisburg and administers cases in south central Pennsylvania.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please submit a cover letter, current resume, three recommendations, a law school transcript, and
a writing sample of less than ten (10) typewritten pages that has not been edited by anyone other
than the applicant through the OSCAR submission system or to: Judge_Van_Eck [at] pamb.uscourts.gov. Please include in the cover letter day and evening
telephone contact numbers, GPA, email address, and class rank (if provided by the applicant’s
law school).
APPLICANT INFORMATION:
· Employees of the United States Bankruptcy Court serve under “Excepted Appointment” and
are considered “At-Will” employees.
· Applicants must be U.S. citizens or otherwise eligible for federal employment within the
United States. Non-citizen applicants may be required to provide citizenship information and
proof of eligibility to work in the United States as part of the clerkship application.
· This position is considered a sensitive position. Appointment is provisional and retention is
contingent upon the successful completion of an appropriate background check.
· All appointments subject to mandatory electronic funds transfer for payment of net pay.
The United States Bankruptcy Court is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
