Hon. Gene Wedoff (Ret.)
I started representing clients pro bono in bankruptcy appeals when I retired from judging in 2015. About a year ago, I stopped taking on new appeals, but I still have one left. The remaining appeal deals with bankruptcy jurisdiction to determine the amount of a nondischargeable tax penalty. I've argued that there is jurisdiction under § 505(a) of the Bankruptcy Code and also under 28 U.S.C. § 1334(b) as a proceeding "related to" a bankruptcy case. The Seventh Circuit issued an opinion upholding bankruptcy jurisdiction but ordering abstention in favor of tax court. I filed a petition for rehearing well two years ago, and the government filed a cross-petition. The court has not ruled. I'll be talking about the issues in the tax panel on Sunday.