Much of what goes on in bankruptcy court has little to do with bankruptcy laws or rules. Commercial lawyers and litigators seeking a suitable ADR specialist to help resolve their disputes may want to consider a retired bankruptcy judge.

Most general practitioners, and indeed many commercial litigators, shudder at the thought of having to handle bankruptcy matters or appear in bankruptcy court. They view it as an arcane, mystifying corner of the law best left to bankruptcy specialists. The fact that bankruptcy rules largely track the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and that bankruptcy courts have made a concerted effort to look and act like any other trial court, seems to have done  little to assuage these fears.