Public Notice

The United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio has appointed the Honorable Beth A. Buchanan to serve a seven-year term as Chief Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio, effective February 26, 2025. Judge Buchanan was appointed to the bench in 2011 and presides in Cincinnati. She succeeds the Honorable John E. Hoffman, Jr., who served from October 27, 2021, until his retirement and appointment as a recalled Bankruptcy Judge.

The Court and its staff are grateful for Judge Hoffman’s leadership. He navigated the Court through difficult workforce changes resulting from a substantial drop in filings. Upon the departure of the Honorable Jeffery P. Hopkins and the Honorable C. Kathryn Preston, reduced filings did not support the filling of the vacancies and cases were reassigned, twice, to balance the caseload among remaining Judges. The low filings also led to funding reductions that resulted in a 32% reduction in staffing. Notwithstanding these challenges, the Court implemented several initiatives during Judge Hoffman’s tenure as Chief Judge, including: the electronic payment of fees not payable in CM/ECF, the electronic filing of case opening documents by unrepresented debtors, the utilization of virtual orders, and a redesigned internet site. The Court wishes Judge Hoffman all the best in his retirement and looks forward to his contributions as a recalled Judge.

FOR THE COURT
Richard Jones
Clerk, United States Bankruptcy Court