News and Views from the Bench
Hon. Karen K. Specie

CHANGE, IT IS A COMIN’
IN OTHER WORDS: HOW CAN IT BE THAT MY TERM IS ENDING?

My fourteen-year term as this Court’s only authorized bankruptcy judge officially comes to an end on July 24, 2026. A new bankruptcy judge will take the helm of this Court effective July 25, 2026.

Leading this Court has been the highest honor of my professional career. We have achieved a great deal during my tenure. Through a lot of hard work and dedication by lots of people, including me, our Court has implemented robust programs to help self-represented parties, streamlined scheduling and handling of hearings, and dramatically improved electronic filing capabilities. The Court’s talented IT department, led by Director, Kent Rosenbaum, has recently been recognized on a national basis. Traci Abrams, Clerk, and Deputy Clerk Travis Green, have effectively handled the most challenging budget issues that have ever faced the federal judiciary. Many improvements have been thanks to insights of Janet Weems-Cainon, Courtroom Deputy, and Director of Court Operations, Tammi Boswell. Many attorneys have dedicated significant time and energy, individually and as members of various committees, to updating our Local Rules and improving how we handle a variety of cases. Of course, much of this progress is thanks to my talented Law Clerks, Cassandra Crosby and Charles Rawson, who help me stay on track handling and ruling on cases while working to implement these many changes.

My goal has been, and remains, to leave this Court in the best possible condition so my successor, the Court’s dedicated staff, and you, the practicing attorneys, can continue leading FLNB into a bright future. I expect to remain on recall through at least August 21, 2026, to help your new “Chief judge” get a smooth start. I may remain on recall after that date to serve on an as-needed basis.

Although leaving my position as “the” FLNB judge is a bit daunting, I am looking forward to having more time to spend with family, travel, and engage in my favorite hobbies and outdoor activities. I thank each and every one of you for helping to make my tenure as this Court’s judge memorable, and I wish all of you and this Court the very best for the future.

EXCITING PRO BONO NEWS

THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA BANKRUPTCY BAR ASSOCIATION, INC. (NDFLBBA) HAS LAUNCHED ITS VIRTUAL BANKRUPTCY PRO SE ASSISTANCE CLINIC!!!!!!!!

We are delighted to announce that the Northern District of Florida Bankruptcy Bar Association, Inc. has launched its new virtual pro se bankruptcy clinic. The clinic offers free telephone legal consultations to self-represented parties in the Northern District of Florida. To volunteer and for additional information, see The Bankruptcy Pro Se Resource Center & Pro Se Clinic: https://www.bankruptcyproseclinicfln.com

THE BANKRUPTCY PRO BONO CLINIC AT THE FSU COLLEGE OF LAW

The FSU Bankruptcy Clinic Student Attorneys this semester are Dylan Harrold, Samantha Joles, Alvaro Molina, John Palmer, and Hannah Shortino. The Supervising Attorneys participating so far this semester include Samantha Kelley and Mary Colón. The FSU Bankruptcy Pro Bono Clinic and its volunteers continue to provide invaluable assistance to self-represented parties in different types of cases, matters and proceedings.

PRO BONO HONOR ROLL

These attorneys have handled, or are handling, cases or matters pro bono so far this year: India Footman and Michael Wynn.

RAP HONOR ROLL

These attorneys have volunteered for RAP so far this year: Douglas Bates and Samantha Kelley.

Please join me in thanking these attorneys - they help each and every one of us!

VOLUNTEERING

To volunteer for the Pro Bono Initiative, visit: https://www.ndflbba.com/s-projects-side-by-side. To volunteer for the FSU Bankruptcy Clinic, visit: https://www.flnb.uscourts.gov/florida-state-university-college-law-bankruptcy-pro-bono-clinic

NOTICES & REMINDERS

NOTICE: Reviewing and processing proposed orders takes an inordinate amount of Court time. The Court provides several Local Sample and Form Orders. See https://www.flnb.uscourts.gov/forms#local. The Court is in the process of drafting local form orders that will be required for specific matters (e.g., Order Granting Unopposed Motion for Relief from Automatic Stay). The Court will soon enter a new administrative order requiring the use of certain local form orders.

REMINDER: Before submitting proposed orders, Review the Court’s Proposed Order Guidelines and Style Guide. See https://www.flnb.uscourts.gov/proposed-order-guidelines and https://www.flnb.uscourts.gov/forms/style-guide.

Farewell to Newsletter Editor Julie Gibson

By Traci E. Abrams, Clerk of Court

Our intrepid newsletter editor and writer extraordinaire, Julie Gibson, will soon be enjoying the good life of retirement after just shy of 35 years with the Judiciary. Julie began her federal Judiciary career with a brief assignment as a receptionist for the United States Probation Office in the Northern District of Georgia’s Atlanta division before moving to Florida in 1991 to marry her husband, Greg.

Her first FLNB position was Secretary to the Clerk. She was later promoted to Case Manager in January of 2000, and again to Court Services Specialist (CSS) in 2006. Within a year, Julie was primarily responsible for the non-programming side of Case Management/Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF).

As the CSS, Julie became the CM/ECF dictionary manager responsible for creating and maintaining docketing events, capturing and transmitting statistical data, modifying user interfaces, building forms, and coordinating software upgrades. She also coordinated all training and tracked staff training requirements. Her responsibilities continued to grow as the years passed.

In 2012, Julie was again promoted to the position of Data Quality Analyst/Trainer and served as an IT-Operations liaison, patiently translating operational needs into technical language. Her desire to foster the efficient operation of CM/ECF led Julie to become the Automated Docketing Interface (ADI) project manager. ADI is a critical tool used by bankruptcy courts to automate case management tasks that do not require human intervention. Julie’s role was to review ADI requests, develop her own, and write operational and functional requirements for programming staff.

Julie also expanded her professional horizons by volunteering to become a Contracting Officer (CO). This role required an enormous amount of time and attention, especially in the beginning. Julie grew into a stellar CO who could be relied upon to properly follow all requirements and provide sage advice to court management.

In addition to her official positions, Julie volunteered her time outside of this court for the benefit of the Judiciary as a whole. She served on the Automation Training Community of Practice (ATCOP) Leadership Committee, the Bankruptcy Operations and Maintenance Expert Panel, and the CM/ECF Next Generation Functional Requirements Committee as a member of the Statistics Subcommittee. In addition, Julie served as an operational and CM/ECF dictionary subject matter expert for “E-ADI training,” which was a judiciary-wide collaborative effort to develop training and support for promoting ADI. At the same time, Julie completed her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration graduating Magna Cum Laude.

Julie’s body of work and herculean efforts over these many years speak volumes about her importance to this Court and the Judiciary. Hard-working, knowledgeable, and talented employees are not discovered every day, and we are certainly happy that Julie chose a career with FLNB. Congratulations on your retirement, Julie. You will be deeply missed, but know that your contributions will continue to shape this Court and the Judiciary for years to come.

The Disclosure Statement – New Editor and Format

By Traci E. Abrams, Clerk of Court

As we prepare to wish Julie Gibson a well-earned retirement, we also turn the page on a new era for The Disclosure Statement. Julie has been the heart behind this publication for many years, and I’m honored to carry it forward.

You’ll also notice a change in how the newsletter is delivered. Beginning with this issue, The Disclosure Statement is now available in a keyword-searchable webpage format. This update will make it easier to find past articles, locate information quickly, and stay connected with what’s happening across the Court.

Scam Alert: Do Not Pay Court Fees to Callers Over the Phone

By Traci E. Abrams, Clerk of Court

Please review the announcement (https://www.flnb.uscourts.gov/news/scam-alert-do-not-pay-callers-over-phone-claiming-call-bankruptcy-court) regarding a recent trend in the Northern District of Florida and elsewhere concerning a social engineering scam designed to entice debtors to pay court fees over the phone. These types of phone calls are not from the Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida. Please do not provide callers with personally identifiable information (as in bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, etc.), credit card numbers, pre-paid card numbers, or money.

Welcome Tallahassee Bankruptcy Generalist Clerk Ken Mattingly!

By Traci E. Abrams, Clerk of Court

Ken began his FLNB career on February 9, 2026, in Tallahassee as a Bankruptcy Generalist Clerk. Over time and with training, Ken will be responsible for case management, relief courtroom deputy work, and procurement. This wide range of duties seems to fit Ken’s nature given that he had been traveling extensively with the Peace Corps where he successfully assisted various populations with their understanding of American culture and governance. Ken also developed a widely used employability skills curriculum and authored grant proposals. Prior to that, Ken was an adult drug court case manager for the Administrative Office of the Courts in Georgetown, Kentucky. This position required a mix of case management and intake duties; judicial assistant work; and duties that would normally be associated with a federal probation officer. Ken received a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Eastern Kentucky University, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Kentucky, and an Associate of Arts in Political Science from Elizabethtown Community College. Ken is already well on his way with his case administration training.

Welcome Pensacola Bankruptcy Generalist Clerk Renee Waid!

By Traci E. Abrams, Clerk of Court

We are excited to announce that Renee Waid will join the Court family in the Pensacola division on April 20, 2026. Renee has been a paralegal/trustee assistant since 2006, and has garnered extensive experience with Chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcy proceedings, the preparation of bankruptcy petitions, the management and preparation of related filings and cases, cashiering, and bookkeeping. She is also well versed in working with the public in a thoughtful way, managing communications, and juggling competing projects. Prior to 2006, Renee worked for a law firm where she prepared bankruptcy petitions and related pleadings and worked extensively with the public.

Farewell to Court Operations Specialist Latonia Frazier

By Traci E. Abrams, Clerk of Court

As we welcome our new staff, we must say a fond farewell to retiring staff member Latonia Frazier at the end of May. Latonia has been an invaluable member of the Court family for almost 27 years. She came to the Court after working as a bank Litigation Specialist where she worked with debtors and counsel on a variety of issues.

Turning that page, Latonia embarked on a career with the FLNB as an Intake Clerk in January of 2000. She continued doing what she loved by assisting the bar and the public. In addition to her many routine administrative and case management duties, Latonia served as a CM/ECF tester when new upgrades or modifications were introduced, thus ensuring that the software was ready to go when it was released to the public. In 2005, Latonia volunteered as a relief courtroom deputy and trained closely with Courtroom Deputy Janet Cainion to learn and retain courtroom management practices and procedures. She also volunteered to assist the former Court Operations Specialist (COS) by answering questions and performing research on issues brought to her by fellow Case Administrators. In 2018, Latonia became a COS in her own right and spent thousands of hours reviewing cases, answering case management questions, and assisting the Director of Court Operations with special projects, research, and unique case management issues. As the Operations Team Lead, she was also responsible for training new staff.

In addition to her formal work with FLNB, Latonia is the local representative for the National Conference of Bankruptcy Clerks (NCBC) and is a member of the Federal Court Clerks Association (FCCA). She is also one of the founding members of the Bankruptcy Court Operations Group (BCOG) Team in the Judiciary’s Microsoft Teams environment. BCOG grew quickly from a small core group to 548 members and serves as a virtual meeting and information-sharing nexus for operations staff in bankruptcy courts throughout the country. Other memberships include Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the Big Bend Paralegal Association.

Congratulations on your retirement, Latonia. Your dedication, professionalism, and generosity have left an indelible mark on the Court. We extend our deepest gratitude for your nearly 27 years of service and the countless ways you strengthened operations and supported your colleagues.

We’re Hiring!

The Office of the Clerk in Tallahassee is seeking a self-motivated individual with a strong work ethic and excellent interpersonal, automation and analytical skills to launch or continue a career in public service as a Bankruptcy Generalist Clerk. Click here for more information. The first review of applications will be on April 28, 2026.

Center for Judicial Excellence in Courtroom Technology (CJECT)

By Traci E. Abrams, Clerk of Court

CJECT is a shared services group within the Judiciary that consists of court staff from around the country who come together to assist individual courts with understanding, procuring, integrating, and installing the best courtroom technology solutions. The CJECT program also provides training opportunities for Judiciary IT employees who are interested in furthering their audio/visual (AV) education and, potentially, joining the CJECT team. The Clerk’s Office is proud to report that Applications Administrator Jacob Dietrich has been accepted as a CJECT trainee and will be spending two weeks in Kentucky assisting a bankruptcy court with their AV needs.

New Chapter 13 Interim Business Report Form

By Traci E. Abrams, Clerk of Court

Chief Judge Karen K. Specie approved a new form for filing an Interim Business Report for Chapter 13 Debtors engaged in business. This monthly operating report form was designed by Chapter 13 Ad Hoc Committee members to be a fillable and calculating PDF file, although users are cautioned to double check all calculations. The form programmed by Julie Gibson is labeled Local Form 13-2 on the Forms page of the Court’s website. Thank you, Julie, and thank you committee members for developing this form.

QC Cues from the Case Administrators

The following is a list of common errors committed by filing attorneys. This list was developed by the Case Administrators as a helpful aid:

• Submit proposed orders timely.
• File Certificates of Service related to docketed orders within the time shown in the order.
• After receiving a Submission Error Notification, make corrections promptly.
• Use the “Search” feature in the CM/ECF toolbar to search our event library. Still not sure which event to use? Call us! 850-521-5001.
• Applications to Have the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived should be filed using the corresponding docket event (versus using the event Motion to Waive or Defer Filing Fee).
• Before filing a Motion to Extend, check for an event that exactly matches the title of the Motion before selecting the generic Motion to Extend Time event.

Security Spotlight: Social Engineering

By Traci E. Abrams, Clerk of Court

The slang terms “phishing” and “vishing” have been around for a long time in the hacker and security expert community. Most people understand what they are and take steps to avoid becoming a victim. But did you know that these are just two tools in a much larger social engineering-driven hacker campaign? Read on to find out how to protect yourself and your organization.

Phishing is a slang term coined by hackers and the security industry in the 1990s. The term is based on the name of a primitive social engineering tool called “CC/PW Fisher” combined with the term “phreaking,” which was used by hackers who specialized in telecommunication systems. “Vishing” is simply an adaptation of “phishing” where hackers use their voice to hack into systems. Both phishing and vishing are social engineering tools.

Social engineering is simply a fancy term for manipulation. Whether by telephone, text, email, or website, hackers engaged in social engineering are intent upon convincing you that what you’re doing is safe, desirable, or expected. For example, “baiting” is a social engineering technique where hackers use a lure, such as a free game download, to get a victim to reveal personal information. “Spoofing” is another technique where a hacker imitates valid resources, such as an email address, website, a voice (using artificial intelligence), or caller ID number. Victims access a link offered through the spoofed resource causing malware to be downloaded or personal information to be stolen. Worse, victims may receive a voicemail message from a trusted phone number asking them to call the hacker back and provide personally identifiable information that may be later sold on the dark web. Another “-ishing” term is “Smishing,” where hackers use SMS text messages containing links to entice victims to open a malicious website. Quid pro quo attacks have also been in the news lately. This social engineering technique uses vishing to allow a hacker to gain access to a sensitive system by posing as a reputable person, such as an IT technician. System credentials are freely provided by unassuming victims based on the hacker’s phone call.

Stopping hackers in their tracks is a difficult feat. Therefore, we must remain vigilant and protect ourselves, our organizations, and our personal information. Be critical of what you see and hear, and think critically before you act. If you’re at work and you receive a call from an unknown IT technician, refer that call to the IT manager for your organization. If you receive a text from a company that contains a link to a website, don’t click the link. Instead, search for the company’s website on your own. Hopefully I don’t need to remind you of this, but if you’re out and about and see a misplaced thumb drive, please don’t try to find out what it contains; it’s probably malware. Basically, if you have any suspicion about what you are seeing or hearing online, on your phone, or in your environment, ask a trusted source for advice and think critically before acting.

Before You File, Go the Extra Mile! (Flattening PDF Files)

Many forms on the Court’s website are fillable portable document format (PDF) files, in that they can be downloaded and modified to include information about your case. If you plan to e-file a fillable form, please review your flattened and completed form by emailing it to yourself first. If the form is complete when viewed through your email, then it should appear the same way when you electronically file the PDF in CM/ECF. Instructions for how to flatten a PDF file are available on the web and from your PDF reader/editor software provider.

News & Announcements Posts to Revisit

The News & Announcements section of the Court’s website is designed to make the public aware of important events, reminders, and warnings. The Clerk’s Office encourages readers to review the following posts:

• Clerk’s Office Position Announcement for Bankruptcy Generalist Clerk
• Free Online Filing Available for Proofs of Claim
• PACER Multifactor Authentication Training Videos Now Available
• Scam Alert: Do Not Pay Callers Over the Phone Claiming to Call from the Bankruptcy Court

Thank You!
Local Rules and Chapter 13 Ad Hoc Attorney Committee Members

By Traci E. Abrams, Clerk of Court

The attorney members of the Local Rules Committee* and the Chapter 13 Ad Hoc Committee have been diligently working to achieve the goals set by the Court to update the Local Rules and Chapter 13 practices and forms for this district. The following attorneys deserve accolades for their hard work. Names in italics represent attorneys who serve on both committees:

• Theresa Bender
• Sherry Chancellor*
• Mary Colón
• Barbara Cusumano
• Kathleen DiSanto*
• Leigh Duncan
• Dan Etlinger*
• India Footman
• Karin Garvin*
• April Howard*
• Patrick Hruby*
• Roland Kiehn*
• Keith Labell
• Martin Lewis
• Michael Markham*
• Travis Morock*
• Michael Niles*
• Melissa Onacki
• Stephanie Roache
• Sharon Sperling*
• Allen Turnage
• Sarah Walton
• Byron “Trey” Wright, III*

Bankruptcy Filing Trends: National and Local

By Traci E. Abrams, Clerk of Court

The Administrative Office of the United States Courts (AO) reported that total bankruptcy filings across the nation rose 11 percent during the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2025. Increases were seen in both non-business and business bankruptcies.

FLNB is comprised of 23 counties in the panhandle and “big bend” region of the state, separated into four divisions: Gainesville (GVL), Pensacola (PNS), Tallahassee (TLH), and Panama City (PCY). For the twelve-month period ending March 31, 2026, this district experienced a 17 percent growth in case filings with Chapter 11 cases (44.4 percent) and Chapter 7 cases (31.5 percent) representing a much higher proportion of total FLNB filings than the national average of 35.8 percent and 24.9 percent, respectively. Additional information about FLNB caseload statistics is available here.

Tech Tips: Digital Court Recording (DCR) and Your Role

By Traci E. Abrams and Kent Rosenbaum

FLNB is now fully digital in the courtroom. This means that any utterance heard by microphones throughout the courtroom will be captured on the recording of a Court proceeding. In turn, hearing participants who fail to speak directly into a microphone will have their statements excluded from the recording.

It is very important for all participants to keep the following in mind throughout a court proceeding If you need to speak from an attorney table:

• Microphones are off by default and must be intentionally activated when speaking;
• Turn your microphone off when you are not addressing the court; and
• Microphones are on when the red light is visible.

Following this guidance will ensure that an accurate transcript may be developed from the recording.

Federal Holidays

The Court and Clerk’s Office will be closed in observance of the remaining 2026 federal holidays*:

• May 25 Memorial Day
• June 19 Juneteenth National Independence Day
• July 3 Independence Day*
• September 7 Labor Day
• October 12 Columbus Day
• November 11 Veterans Day
• November 26 Thanksgiving Day
• December 25 Christmas Day

*Observance of a holiday that falls on a Saturday or Sunday pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 6103(b) and/or Executive Order 11582, Feb. 11, 1971.

Contact Us

Contact the Clerk’s Office by visiting the Contact Us page. Clerk’s Office phones are answered from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on federal holidays or other days the Court is closed. Case Administrators may assist you with CM/ECF or procedural questions only. Clerk’s Office staff is not permitted to answer legal questions or provide guidance as to the content or types of documents that may be required.