bankruptcy courthouse Photo: Bigstock

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit posted an opening for a bankruptcy judge in the Middle District of Florida at Orlando.

The starting salary is $194,028. The length of the term is 14 years.

Those interested must apply by Aug. 1 to Circuit Executive James Gerstenlauer, 56 Forsyth Street, NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30303. The list of requirements and the full application to complete are posted on the circuit's website.

Qualified applicants must be a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of at least one state, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and a member in good standing of every other bar of which the applicant is a member.

No need to apply for those with less than five years' experience practicing law, or for anyone related to a judge on the Eleventh Circuit or the district court for the Middle District of Florida.

Beyond that, the requirements are more general. A bankruptcy judge candidate must “have demonstrated, outstanding legal ability and competence” and “indicate by demeanor, character, and personality that the applicant would exhibit judicial temperament if appointed.” Of course be sure to be “of sound physical and mental health sufficient to perform the essential duties of the office.”

Ultimately, the Eleventh Circuit will decide.

The Eleventh Circuit is also seeking public comment on whether to reappoint four U.S. Bankruptcy Court judges in Alabama and Florida. All four are on 14-year terms expiring in early 2020. All four are up for another 14-year term.

“Upon reappointment, the incumbent would continue to exercise the jurisdiction of a bankruptcy judge as specified in United States Code title 28, United States Code title 11, and the Bankruptcy Amendment and Federal Judgeship Act of 1984,” the Eleventh Circuit said. “In bankruptcy cases and proceedings referred by the district court, the incumbent would continue to perform the duties of a bankruptcy judge that might include holding status conferences, conducting hearings and trials, making final determinations, entering orders and judgments, and submitting proposed finding of fact and conclusions of law to the district court.”

The Eleventh Circuit invited “members of the bar and the public” to “submit written comments for consideration by the Court of Appeals concerning the reappointment.” Comments must also be sent to Gerstenlauer. The deadline is July 22.

The judges being considered for reappointment are:

  • Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge James Robinson for the Northern District of Alabama at Anniston;
  • U. S. Bankruptcy Judge Tamara Mitchell for the Northern District of Alabama at Birmingham;
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Judge John Olson for the Southern District of Florida at Fort Lauderdale; and
  • Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Laurel Myerson Isicoff for the Southern District of Florida at Miami.

The salary of a bankruptcy judge is approximately $194,000, or 92% of the district court judge salary.