Municipalities facing fiscal crisis often must make difficult choices, attempting to balance their financial obligations with obligations to deliver critical services, such as the provision of public safety, education, and health, as well as water, sewer, and transportation services. The primary objectives of Chapter 9—to provide a breathing spell to, and adjust the debts of, a distressed municipality—are familiar to bankruptcy professionals. The substance and process of Chapter 9, however, differ from other plan chapters under the Bankruptcy Code in meaningful ways.

This handbook provides an overview of chambers operations and the work of the federal courts.

§ 2.2 of the handbook was revised in December 2017 to include clarifying language regarding workplace harassment (see printable insert pages below).

Superseded by Law Clerk Handbook: A Handbook for Law Clerks to Federal Judges, Revised Third Edition (2017).

Note: Distribution of this publication (hard copy) is restricted per © 2016 Peter S. Menell, Lynn H. Pasahow, James Pooley, Matthew D. Powers, Steven C. Carlson, Jeffrey G. Homrig, George F. Pappas, Carolyn Chang, Colette Reiner Mayer, Marc David Peters; permission has been granted for judiciary distribution only.

A detailed reference for chief judges of federal district courts. The Deskbook describes the position of chief judges within the system of federal judicial administration as well as their specific roles and responsibilities with respect to national and regional bodies of judicial administration; other judges, officers, and employees of the district court; various functions of the court; case management; and external groups such as the bar, media, and public. Includes citations to statutory requirements and Judicial Conference and Administrative Office policies.