Judge Steven W. Rhodes

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
Southern Division
211 W. Fort St., Suite 1800
Detroit, Michigan 48226
Courtroom 1825

Staff Information

Courtroom Deputy: Christine Sikula (313) 234-0020

Court Docket Information

Judge Tabs

Communications with Chambers

Chambers staff cannot give legal or procedural advice. The Court's procedures are governed by the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and Local Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure for the Eastern District of Michigan, which are available on this website. This memorandum is intended as a supplement to those rules, and not as a substitute.
Telephone calls. Telephone calls to chambers are permitted, but should be made only when necessary. All calls should be directed to the Courtroom Deputy, Ms. Sikula, at (313) 234-0020. Chambers personnel cannot provide case information. All calls pertaining to case information and docket entries should be directed to the Auto Attendant at (313) 234-0065, or parties may view case dockets on PACER.
Letters. Letters to the Judge are discouraged; written communications should be made only by pleadings. Copies of correspondence between counsel shall not be sent to the Judge and will be discarded. Letters to the Judge from pro se litigants may, at the Judge's discretion, be treated as pleadings and docketed as such.
Facsimiles. Faxes to chambers are not permitted unless specifically requested by the Judge. When the Judge permits a fax, the use of the chambers fax number is for that time only.
Scheduling and calendaring. For scheduling or calendar matters, call Ms. Sikula at (313) 234-0020.
Requests for adjournments. Requests for adjournments should be made strictly in conformance with L.B.R. 5071-1, except that one adjournment of a hearing on a motion or initial status conference in an adversary proceeding shall be permitted by telephone to Ms. Sikula if all counsel to the hearing have agreed. A stipulated order must be submitted to the Court for entry.

Motions

Filing of motion papers. All papers should be filed at Intake on the 17th floor. With the exception of motions for expedited hearings and pleadings specifically requested by the Judge, the Judge's copy of pleadings should be filed with Intake and not brought to chambers. If pleadings are being mailed to the Court for filing, they should be addressed to U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Intake Department, 211 W. Fort St., 17th Floor, Detroit, Michigan 48226.
Oral argument on motions. When an answer/objection to a motion is filed, the Court will schedule oral argument on the motion. The parties will be notified of the date and time of argument.
Motion day. Judge Rhodes' motion day is Monday. Counsel does not need to check in with the Courtroom Deputy either in chambers or in the courtroom. Cases will be called generally in the order in which they appear on the docket, which is posted outside the courtroom.
Pro hac vice appearance. A motion pursuant to L.B.R. 9014-1 must be filed with the Court. Pro hac vice appearances are allowed upon approval from the Court.
Participation by telephone. Participation by telephone is permitted. Counsel must request approval in advance. Contact Ms. Sikula to request permission and make arrangements.
Discovery disputes. Discovery motions are not encouraged.

Orders

Copies. Copies of orders are provided only according to L.B.R. 5006-1.
Orders to show cause. Orders to show cause are issued by the Court. Orders to show cause will not be issued upon motion by a party, as there is no provision in the Bankruptcy Rules authorizing a party to request an order to show cause.

Status Conferences

Location. Status conferences are generally held on the record in the courtroom.
Initial scheduling conference in an adversary proceeding. A Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(f) report must be filed five days in advance of the scheduling conference
Initial chapter 11 case status conference. The initial chapter 11 case status conference is scheduled by the Court upon order issued shortly after the case is filed. Debtor's counsel is responsible for sending notice to the 20 largest creditors.

Trials and Evidentiary Hearings

Court Recorder. Please respect the Court Recorder's function. Speak clearly. Do not speak while someone else is speaking. New attorneys should give the Court Recorder their business card to ensure correct information in the record.
Exhibits. For trials and evidentiary hearings, parties must strictly comply with L.B.R. 7016-1(d). At least one day prior to trial or evidentiary hearing, counsel shall arrange with the Court Recorder, Letrice Calloway, (313) 234-0024, to have all documentary exhibits marked and provide copies of all exhibits to opposing counsel. At the trial or evidentiary hearing, counsel shall have five copies of all exhibits: one for the witness, the Judge, opposing counsel, the Court Recorder, and the Law Clerk.
Transcripts. Counsel are responsible for promptly raising any issue concerning the accuracy of transcripts certified by the official Court Recorder. Counsel should contact the Court Recorder, Letrice Calloway, with material errors.

Default Judgments

Counsel are required to strictly comply with L.B.R. 7055-1 and the Service Members Civil Relief Act of 2003.

Settlements

Counsel are required to strictly comply with L.B.R. 9019-1 regarding the settlement of an adversary proceeding or contested matter.

Chapter 11 Plans of Reorganization and Disclosure Statements

The Judge uses a fast track system for all Chapter 11 cases unless it is determined that it is not practical. The Judge's requirements for information to include in the combined chapter 11 plan and disclosure statement can be found on this website at:

Requirements for Information to Include in the Combined Plan and Disclosure Statement

Law Clerks, Internships, and Externships

The Judge is not currently accepting applications for law clerks, internships, or externships. If a position becomes available, a notice will be posted on this website.

Reaffirmation Agreement Hearings

Pro se cases. In all pro se cases where the Debtor signs one or more reaffirmation agreements, the Court will schedule a hearing to determine whether or not the reaffirmation agreement(s) will be approved.
Debtor represented. In cases where the Debtor is represented by counsel and has entered into numerous reaffirmation agreements, the file will be screened and, where appropriate, approval of the reaffirmation agreements will be set for hearing.

Eastern District of Michigan

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Judge Steven W. Rhodes

Staff Information

Judge Tabs