How has the new bankruptcy law impacted bankruptcy clerks’ office staffing levels?
The Bankruptcy Committee has been especially concerned about the impact of the Act on clerks’ office staffing. There is abundant evidence from docket activity and case files demonstrating that the changes mandated by the Act have significantly increased the work in clerks’ offices that is required to process a bankruptcy case. Until a new work measurement formula is in place for clerks in fiscal year 2009, it is not clear to what extent the additional work per case offsets the reduction in filing levels. Since we will not have a new formula until 2009, fiscal year 2008 is shaping up to be a transition year. Increased filings and continued careful management by bankruptcy clerks (as evidenced by the maintenance of a significant vacancy rate), coupled with what looks to be a good budget for the upcoming year, should allow bankruptcy courts to maintain current on-board staffing levels. The Bankruptcy Committee will continue to stay informed on the staffing issues and weigh in on the new f
