In light of the continuing COVID-19 public health emergency, all bankruptcy hearings in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Wisconsin will be conducted either by teleconference or videoconference until at least May 30, 2020. This period may be extended by further order. Following guidance from the Judicial Conference of the United States, and under authority provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES ACT), members of the press and public will be permitted to hear telephonic and video hearings, free of charge, to the extent practicable. Information on public and press access to telephonic or video hearings will be available in the specific case docket on PACER.

Persons granted remote access to proceedings are reminded of the general prohibition against photographing, recording, or rebroadcasting of federal court proceedings (including those held by telephone or videoconference). Recording of a federal court proceeding held by video or teleconference is absolutely prohibited. See Federal Court: Media Basics. Members of the press and the public are also expected to mute their phones during video and telephonic hearings and to not disrupt proceedings in any manner. Violation of the these rules may result in the denial of entry to future hearings or any other sanction deemed necessary by the court.

If necessary, some in-person bankruptcy proceedings may be held at the Kastenmeier Courthouse. During the COVID-19 emergency, in-person proceedings will be limited to case participants and conducted under social distancing guidelines. Members of the press and public may contact the court to request to listen to a specific in-person proceeding.