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Randall J. Newsome papers
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Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Biddle Law Library [Contact Us]3460 Chestnut Street, Biddle Law Library, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3406
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the University of Pennsylvania: Biddle Law Library. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
Randall J. Newsome attended Boston University for his Bachelor of Arts in 1972 and the University of Cincinnati College of Law for his Juris Doctor in 1975. With nearly three decades of experience serving as a settlement and bankruptcy judge, Judge Newsome is best known for his intelligent and pragmatic approach to resolving complex matters and he is frequently sought out as a national speaker on topics related to bankruptcy.
His early career began when he practiced law at Dinsmore & Shohl in Cincinnati, OH, from 1978-1982. Newsome then served as a bankruptcy judge for the United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Ohio Cincinnati, Ohio from October, 1982 to May, 1988. After serving in Ohio, Newsome served as a bankruptcy judge for the United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of California from 1988-2003. In 2004, Newsome was appointed Chief Bankruptcy Judge for the United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of California. He served this position until his retirement in late 2010.
Newsome's professional activities include: serving as Vice-President (1998) and President (1999) of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges (NCBJ); and serving on educational programs for the Federal Judicial Center, ALI-ABA, the NCBJ, Practising Law Institute, American Bankruptcy Institute, Midwest Bankruptcy Institute, American Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors and others.
The Randall J. Newsome Papers, 1969-2010, primarily cover Judge Newsome's research, professional activities, and advocacy while he served as a Bankruptcy Judge for the United States Bankruptcy Court from 1982-2010.
The collection includes papers relating to Newsome's work on bankruptcy education, bankruptcy reform, and advocate for consumer bankruptcy during the 1980s through 2000. Please note that correspondences that indicate attachments or enclosed documents are filed together in order to preserve context.
Collection materials include: correspondence, meeting materials, reports, testimonies, speeches, handwritten notes, oral history files, drafts of bills, markup copies of legislation specifically focusing on the numerous forms of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act, legislative analysis, Chapter 7 case studies, news clippings, and other materials; materials related to Newsome's legislative activities on the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges Educational Program; papers related to Baldwin-United Bankruptcy in the mid-1980s; papers related to the Emergency Model Rule regarding Congress' slow actions towards restructuring of the bankruptcy court system or judges' jurisdiction after the Marathon Case of 1982; oral history files; and related materials.
In addition, the collection contains two series on non-traditional archival materials. First, a series of photographs of Randall Newsome and his participation in national conferences and meetings from 1987-2004. And second, a series of various computer disks with files pertaining to bankruptcy legislation and photography files.
- Bankruptcy Court Crisis Materials
- Baldwin-United Bankruptcy Materials
- Bankruptcy Legislation
- Bankruptcy Amendments
- Media Services Videotape Session
- Salary Legislation
- Mega-Case Workshop
- Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act Materials
- National Bankruptcy Review Commission
- National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges Educational Program
- Speeches
- Commission on Structural Alternatives
- Meetings
- Conference on Large Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Cases
- Oral History Files
- Delaware Withdrawal of Reference
- Photographs
- Non-Traditional Materials
The filing system for the Randall J. Newsome Papers has been kept substantially in its original form. That is, most original folder titles have been retained. The processor devised the basic organization scheme for the collection and, where necessary, reorganized the papers within the various component groups. Also note, attachments and enclosed documents in correspondence files were left to retain context.
The National Bankruptcy Archives accessioned the collection on January 20, 2011.
Processed by Hoang Tran, August 2012.
People
Organization
Subject
- Publisher
- University of Pennsylvania: Biddle Law Library
- Finding Aid Author
- Hoang Tran
- Finding Aid Date
- 2012 August
- Access Restrictions
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The archives reserves the right to restrict access to materials of sensitive nature. Please contact the department for further information.
- Use Restrictions
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Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Collection Inventory
Series consists of materials accumulated during the Post Marathon Pipeline Decision and the Model Rule to govern the operation of the bankruptcy court system until Congress acted.
Materials include: correspondence, pending and proposed legislation, press clippings, publications, government documents, research materials, orders, Congressional Records, and other materials relating to the bankruptcy crisis.
Contains monograph titled Fourteen Years or Life: The Bankruptcy Court Dilemma and multiple issues of Bankruptcy Law Reports.
Contains the Contact Information for the 98th Congress House of Representative and a copy of H.R. 1401.
Contains excerpts of Congressional Records and copy of H.R. 5174.
Correspondence, press clippings, guidelines, procedural orders, plans, and related materials regarding Randall J. Newsome's participation in the Baldwin-United Bankruptcy.
Three correspondences with attachments.
Ten handwritten notes related to Baldwin-United Bankruptcy.
Physical Description10 item
Orders and Notices that are related to Baldwin-United Corporation, et al vs Debtors and Debtors-in-Possession: Consolidated Case Number 1-83-02495.
Handwritten notes and Securities and Exchange Commission forms 10-Q and 10-K for Baldwin-United Corporation
Hand written notes, one correspondence with the attachment Enhancement Plan Agreement.
Debtor's First Amended Disclosure Statement and First Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization of Baldwin-United Corporation and D.H. Baldwin Company of October 1, 1985. Debtors' Disclosure Statement Regarding First Modification of First Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization of Baldwin-United Corporation and D.H. Baldwin Company of February 10, 1986.
One correspondence, memorandum, and Noticing Guideline.
No Subnote Content
Agenda for Status Conference and Related Matters with notes.
Press clippings gathered from various newspapers as well the "Press Clipping " published by Baldwin-United Corporation from 1983-1986.
Contains one report to Baldwin-United Corporation and D.H. Baldwin Company Creditors Committees, one Order regarding insurance, and Amended Administrative Order I and II.
This series is a small collection of materials relating to two bankruptcy legislations proposed in 1985. Consist of one Bankruptcy Law Report on family Farmer Bankruptcy Act of 1985, a copy of H.R. 2660 titled United States Trustees Act of 1985, and one Congressional Record (Vol. 131 No. 72) for H.R. 2660 from June 4, 1985.
This small series is a collection of materials relating to amendments to proposed and pending Bankruptcy Legislation from two periods. First, the Bankruptcy Judges and United States Trustees Act of 1986 and the Bankruptcy Amendments of 1992. Consists of Bankruptcy Law Reports, correspondence, copy of amendments and bills, reports, and Congressional Records.
File contains one Bankruptcy Law Report, correspondence, Congressional Record, copies of bills, and a committee report.
This file contains correspondence, handwritten notes, and related materials that specifically focus on Senator Metzenbaum's proposed amendments to Section 330 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code contained in Senate Bill 540, Section 309 by. Also contains a copy of H.R. 6020, Bankruptcy Amendments of 1992.
This series is a collection of materials relating to Judge Newsome's participation in a video-lecture regarding compensation and settlements. Consists mostly of correspondence between Newsome and related parties.
This series is a collection of materials relating to salary legislation for bankruptcy judges. It specifically focuses on proposed legislation H.R. 2586 titled: Retirement and Survivor Annuities for Bankruptcy Judges and Magistrates Act of 1987 and S. 1630 titled: Retirement and Survivors' Annuities for Bankruptcy Judges and Magistrates Act of 1988. The series is predominately correspondence between Judge Newsome and other bankruptcy judges and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts; and one copy of H.R. 2586.
This series is a collection of materials relating to Judge Newsome's participation in the Mega-Case Workshop. File contains correspondence, program draft, and other materials.
Correspondence sent and received by Newsome in regards to the bankruptcy legislation reform. Organized by correspondent.
No Subnote Content
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File contains correspondences from Hershner when he served two positions concurrently: Chief Judge of US Bankruptcy Court Middle District of Georgia and President of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges.
2 item
File contains correspondences that were sent by Judge Newsome while he served as the Bankruptcy Judge of US Bankruptcy Court Northern District of California and President of National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges in 1998-1999.
Senator Dianne Feinstein of California and Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois.
Physical Description2 item
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Correspondences received by Newsome not filed under more specific headings sent by other bankruptcy judges, law offices, emails, and one from Focus Groups Chairman of American College of Bankruptcy.
Physical Description11 item
One correspondence produced by Janet M. Steinle dated November 10, 1998 has a 3.5 inch floppy disk attachment.
Handwritten notes, spreadsheets, and other related materials for means testing of Chapter 7 Cases.
Materials Judge Newsome used for the legislative analysis of bankruptcy reform.
This subseries is a collection of reports and publications relating to bankruptcy and bankruptcy reform. The subseries includes reports by Bankruptcy Law Reports and studies conducted by Visa U.S.A Inc.
Judge Newsome's file name has been retained.
One letter from Judge Newsome's colleague Judge George C. Paine II which includes the attachment that consists of the legislative contacts of other bankruptcy judges.
Correspondence, notes, reports, publications, and other materials related to bankruptcy reform legislation during 1997 and 2001. Title of subseries reflects Judge Newsome's original organization.
This subseries contains materials relating to the legislative activities conducted by Newsome in regards to the continual iterations of House and Senate proposed legislation in an attempt to reform bankruptcy laws. Materials are divided between Congress, correspondence, and research materials. Files contain copies of proposed bills, articles, reports, and related materials pertaining specifically to the proposed bankruptcy legislation and reform.
Copies of bills, including H.R. 3150, H.R. 833, and H.R. 5744 (the Bankruptcy Reform bills); drafts of bills; drafts of amendments, including those offered by Congressman George Gekas; letters and memoranda to and from members of Congress and bankruptcy judges; handwritten notes; reports to the Committee on the Judiciary; hearing materials; Final Conference Report on H.R. 3150; Analysis of Conference Report on H.R. 3150 prepared by Judge Eugene R. Wedoff; Section by section analysis of the Conference Report on H.R. 3150 prepared by the National Bankruptcy Conference;
The file contains materials specifically related to the hearing on Consumer Bankruptcy which pertained to the proposed legislation H.R. 3150. Judge Newsome participated in the hearing which was held in Washington D.C. on March 10, 1998. Materials include: hand written notes, correspondence, transcripts, news clippings, reports, and related materials.
Copies of bills, including S. 1301, S. 625, S. 945, and S. 420 (the Bankruptcy Reform bills); preliminary discussion drafts of bills; drafts of amendments; letters and memoranda to and from members of Congress and bankruptcy judges; bullet points and amendments of the legislation, report by Senate, and a comparison of pending consumer bankruptcy legislation between H.R. 3150 and S. 1301.
A file of handwritten notes regarding bankruptcy legislation with an emphasis on S. 1301.
Correspondences written and received by Newsome that specifically focus on the proposed legislation in 1998 (March-June).
Contains one correspondence dated April 20, 1998 sent by the Law Offices of Reidun Stromsheim addressed to Senator Dianne Feinstein. It includes handwritten notes. Newsome's file name has been retained for context.
Subjects covered in this file consist of materials that were not heavily used or discussed during the reform process. However, the records may contain useful information in regards to the reform process and how bankruptcy judges' acted. Materials include bankruptcy statistics, statistical survey of chapter 7 cases in California, median income of households by state from 1989-1996, two proposed corrective amendments to 11 U.S.C 362 and 28 U.S.C. 1334, Bill text of H.R. 2811 (1999), references to H.R. 2920 and S1606 (both 1999), a copy of discussion draft of proposed bill "Bankruptcy Reform, Reduction and Simplification Act" (1999), and a Bankruptcy Reform Briefing Book dated February 11, 1999 which contains executive summary, section by section analysis and multiple analysis of the conference report of the "Bankruptcy Reform, Reduction and Simplification Act" (1999).
This series is a collection of materials gathered by Newsome during his attendance at a hearing in Washington D.C regarding bankruptcy reform related to H.R. 833. The hearing was held from March 14-19, 1999. Materials include correspondence, witness lists, travel receipts and itineraries, news clippings, and one roll-call votes for sponsorship of H.R. 833.
Chiefly correspondence along with some proposals and notes by Newsome and other bankruptcy judges regarding their concerns over the National Bankruptcy Review Commission's proposals for change regarding consumer bankruptcy.
Contains an essay by Bankruptcy Judge Kenneth Klee titled Initial Proposals for Chapter 11, and one issue of Bankruptcy Court Decisions (Volume 28, Issue 26), Current Population Reports for 1997 which includes Consumer Income and Measuring 50 Years of Economic Change.
1997 NCBJ Programs.
Contains copies of conference itinerary, list of attendees, and information on conference presenters and coverage.
Consist of three National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges 1997 Program Committee Minutes, prepared by Judge Waldron.
Drafts and notes on speeches by Newsome during the Conference.
Judge Newsome's registration forms, survey forms, and evaluation forms during his participation of the 1997 National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges.
Handwritten and typed drafts and final drafts of four speeches conducted by Judge Newsome throughout 1999 in Seattle, Washington D.C., Sacramento, and State Bar of Montana.
Correspondence, tentative draft report, reports, statements, and other materials related to Newsome's interaction with the Commission on Structural Alternatives.
Correspondence, minutes, handwritten notes, and other materials related to Newsome's interaction in the Spencer Williams et al. vs. United States of America case and Newsome's attendance of the Federal Judges Association meeting on November 20, 1998 in Washington D.C.
Correspondence, working paper and drafts, addressed envelopes, attendees list, meeting responses, and other materials related to Newsome's participation in the January 18, 1999 meeting in Oakland, CA to discuss bankruptcy legislative proposals.
Correspondence, list of participants, and other materials related to Judge Newsome's attendance at the Judicial Pay Summit Meeting on January 28, 1999 in Washington, D.C.
Materials related to Judge Newsome's participation in the Bankruptcy Meeting held on February 11, 1999 called by Representative Nadler and Conyers concerning bankruptcy legislation in the new Congress.
Correspondence, conference schedule, list of participants, and a guide to bankruptcy mega-cases.
- Alphabetical
Correspondence, news clippings, notes, publications, and materials related to Newsome's oral history endeavors.
Original copy of interview transcript by the Federal Bankruptcy Historical Society on February 23, 1991.
This series is a collection of correspondence, news clippings, orders, and statistical information relating to the withdrawal of reference in Delaware bankruptcy megacases in 2001.
Arranged chronologically.
- Chronological
This series contains color photographs taken primarily at annual conferences and meetings of bankruptcy judges.