Local Rule D.N.J. LBR 2014-1: Employing Professionals
Bankr. D.N.J. — General rule
D.N.J. LBR 2014-1. Employing Professionals
(a) General requirements. An applicant seeking approval of employment of a professional person must file and serve Local Forms Application for Retention of Professional, Certification of Professional in Support of Application for Retention of Professional and Order Authorizing Retention on the debtor, the trustee, secured creditors, official committees, and parties requesting notice of all proceedings.
(b) Objection.
(1) If an application is filed within 21 days after the filing of the petition, an objection must be filed and served within the later of:
(A) 14 days after the filing of the application; or
(B) 21 days after the filing of the petition.
(2) If an application is filed after the initial 21-day period, an objection must be filed and served within 7 days after the filing of the application.
(3) If an objection is filed, the court may conduct a hearing on the objection in its discretion.
2025 Comment The amendments to this Rule are stylistic to conform with the Bankruptcy Rules.
2021 Comment Subdivision (b) is amended to clarify the objection period, based on the filing date of an employment application.
2015 Comment Subdivision (a) is amended to add a reference to the relevant Local Forms.
Local Bankruptcy Rule 2014-2 addresses the requirements for the retention of an auctioneer.
Local Bankruptcy Rule 6004-4 addresses the requirements for the retention of a liquidator.
Bankruptcy Rule 6003 provides that unless necessary to avoid harm, the court will not grant an application under Bankruptcy Rule 2014 within the first 21 days of a case. The 14 day objection period in subdivision (b) balances Rule 6003's goal of alleviating "some of the time pressures present at the start of a case" with a professional person's interest in obtaining a prompt determination on an employment application.