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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FILED
WESTERN DISTRICT OF OKLAHOMA i i L. Uf
JUL 0 2 2025
IN RE; PARTICIPATION IN THE )
JOAN KANE, CLERK
TENTH CIRCUIT MEDIATION G.O.25-4 U.S. DtST. COURT, WESTERN DIST. OKLA.
PROGRAM BY . DEPUTY
ORDER
It is HEREBY ORDERED that all bankruptcy appeals proceeding before the United States District
Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, other than those involving pro se parties, shall be
referred to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals Circuit Mediation Office (the "Circuit Mediation
Office").
1. Mediation Conference. The Circuit Mediation Office may schedule and conduct
mediation conferences in any matter referred to it by this Court. The primary purpose of a
conference is to explore settlement, but case management matters may also be addressed.
2. Participation of Counsel and Parties. Counsel must participate in every scheduled
mediation conference and in related discussions. Generally, a party may participate but
need not unless required by the Circuit Mediation Office. Conferences are conducted by
telephone unless the Circuit Mediation Office directs otherwise.
3. Preparation of Counsel for Mediation Conferences; Settlement Authority. Counsel
must consult with their clients and obtain as much authority as feasible to settle the case
and agree on case management matters in preparing for the initial conference. These
obligations continue throughout the mediation process.
4. Confidentiality. Statements made during the conference and in related discussions, and
any records of those statements, are confidential and must not be disclosed by anyone
(including the Circuit Mediation Office, counsel, or the parties and their agents or
employees) to anyone not participating in the mediation process. Proceedings under this
Order may not be recorded by counsel or the parties.
5. Conference Order; Mediator Authority. The Circuit Mediation Office may cause an
order to be entered controlling the course of the case or the mediation proceedings
including extending briefing deadlines. The Circuit Mediation Office and its mediators are
delegates of this court. Any conference orders or other communications from the Circuit
Mediation Office must be treated the same as any other court directive.
6. Extensions for Ordering Transcripts or Filing Briefs; Deadlines. The time allowed by
Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 8009 for ordering a transcript and by Federal Rule
of Bankruptcy Procedure 8018 for filing briefs is not automatically tolled pending a
conference. If a conference has been scheduled, counsel may contact the Circuit Mediation
Office for an extension of time to order a transcript or to file a brief.
7. Sanctions. This Court may impose sanctions if counsel or a party violates this rule or any
order entered under it.
Dated this 2 day of July 2025.
BY THE COURT:
Timothy D. iJeGiusti
Chief United States District Judge
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