The District Court issued Standing Order No. 2023-20 on November 6, 2023, effective December 1, 2023. The Standing Order regulates the possession and use of cameras and personal electronic devices in the Courthouses of the Middle District of Pennsylvania. This includes attorneys and pro se litigants.
Attorneys with a valid bar identification card, United States Department of Justice credentials, or the Office of the Federal Public Defender are exempt from the Standing Order. Thus, attorneys wishing to bring personal electronic devices (including cell phones and computers) must bring a valid bar identification card to access these devices in the courtroom.
Audio files are provided at a cost of $34.00 per hearing. Requests will be processed upon receipt of payment. The easiest/fastest way to pay is to use the online payment system. Alternatively, checks/money orders must be payable to "Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court." by mail or in person at either courthouse location..
The Court is pleased to announce the appointment of the Hon. Mark J. Conway effective July 22, 2021. Judge Conway will immediately begin receiving new cases filed in Wilkes-Barre and Williamsport. Other pending cases may also be transferred to him as necessitated by judicial economy.
Effective after Judge Opel’s retirement on March 26, 2021 and until a successor judge takes the bench, all cases currently assigned and new cases that would be assigned to Judge Opel will be reassigned to Chief Judge Van Eck. Any cases presenting a conflict of interest with Chief Judge Van Eck will be temporarily assigned to visiting Judge Patricia Mayer. Judge Mayer sits in the Reading office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Court.
