Local Rule RULE 9011-1: ATTORNEYS - DUTIES

RULE 9011-1 ATTORNEYS - DUTIES

(a) Extent of an Attorney's Duty to Represent.

(1) Any attorney who files a bankruptcy petition for or on behalf of a debtor will remain the responsible attorney of record for all purposes, including, but not limited to, Rule 2004 examinations, reaffirmation hearings, and motion practice, that arise in conjunction with the bankruptcy case, excluding adversary proceedings.

(2) An attorney who contracts to limit the scope of their services may be subject to having their fees examined for reasonableness. Such examination may be initiated by the Office of the United States Trustee or by the Bankruptcy Court sua sponte.

(3) In either the bankruptcy case or an adversary proceeding, an attorney remains the responsible attorney of record until the case is closed, dismissed, or upon motion and order of the Court.

(b) Retention Requirements for Documents Requiring an Original Signature.

(1) Electronically filed documents that require original signatures – other than that of the filer – must be maintained in paper form by the filer for two (2) years following the expiration of all time periods for appeals.

(2) On request of the Court, the United States Trustee, the standing or panel trustee or a party in interest, the filer must provide original documents for review.

(3) Filing a document with an image of a signature (instead of the required original signature) shall act as a representation and certification by the filer that it: (i) transmitted the entire final document to the signer for review and approval; (ii) communicated with the signer regarding the substance and purpose of the document; (iii) received the entire document back with a signature that is believed to be the authorized signature of the signer; (iv) is in possession of the entire original document; and (v) has express authorization from the signer to file the document electronically.