ATexasBankruptcyLawyersBlog

Federal court practitioners, particularly those appearing in bankruptcy court, are familiar with the requirements of the lodestar method for proving up attorneys' fees. Under Johnson v. Georgia Highway Express, Inc., 488 F.2d 714 (5th Cir. 1974) and subsequent cases, attorneys were used to producing contemporaneous time sheets in sufficient detail to describe the work performed and the rate charged.

The National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges has put out a statement on Inclusive Language which recommends using the term  "firewall," "screen" or "ethics wall" instead of "Chinese wall" to describe "an information barrier within an organization intended to prevent exchange of information or communication that could lead to conflicts of interest." It stated that the term "Chinese wall" was considered offensive without further elaboration.

 One of the celebratory aspects of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges is the recognition of judges, attorneys and others receiving awards from various groups. I went to as many programs I could. Congratulations to the following honorees!

 ABI Editor at Large Bill Rochelle hosted a group of three panels discussing three different legal issues. The issues included one legitimate circuit split, a dispute between lower courts and a divided state court panel.

Recharacterization