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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
DALLAS DIVISION
PRONSKE GOOLSBY & KATHMAN,
PC f/k/a PRONSKE & PATEL, P.C.;
SHURIG JETEL BECKETT
TACKETT; DEAN FERGUSON; GARY
G. LYON; ROBERT GARREY;
POWERS TAYLOR, LLP; JEFFREY
HALL; and DAVID PACIONE,
Appellants,
v.
JEFFREY BARON,
Appellee.
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No. 3:14-cv-01370-P
APPELLEE’S MOTION TO DISMISS
TO THE HONORABLE JORGE A. SOLIS:
Appellee, Jeffrey Baron, respectfully requests that the Court dismiss the above-styled and
numbered bankruptcy appeal because the Appellants failed timely invoke to this Court’s
appellate jurisdiction. In particular:
1. The Appellants did not timely file a Notice of Appeal within the 14 days of the
entry of the order being appealed; and
2. After the expiration of this period, the Appellants failed to file a written motion,
showing excusable neglect, within 21 days seeking an extension of time to file a
Notice of Appeal.
In support, the Appellee respectfully shows:
Case 3:14-cv-01370-P Document 2 Filed 04/29/14 Page 1 of 4 PageID 67
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I.
Background
This appeal concerns the entry of an Order of Dismissal, dismissing the involuntary
bankruptcy case brought against Jeffrey Baron. (ECF Doc 1-1, pp. 6–7). The Order of Dismissal
was entered March 14, 2014. (ECF no. 1-1, p. 6).
The Notice of Appeal was filed April 15, 2014. (ECF no. 1-1, p. 3).
II.
The Court Should Dismiss the Appeal
The timetable for perfecting an appeal of a final order of the Bankruptcy Court is set forth
in Rule 8002 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure. The deadline to file a notice of
appeal is 14 days from the entry of the order being appealed. Fed. R. Bankr. P. 8002(a). This
deadline may be extended for up to 21 days past the general, 14-day deadline by filing a written
motion showing “excusable neglect.” Fed. R. Bankr. P. 8002(c)(2).
The time limits proscribed by Rule 8002 are jurisdictional and cannot be waived.
Abraham v. Aguilar (In re Aguilar), 861 F.2d 873, 874 (5th Cir. 1988).
Clearly, the Appellants missed these deadlines. The 14
th
day following the Order of
Dismissal was March 28, 2014. The 21
st
day following this deadline was April 18, 2014. The
docket sheet from the Bankruptcy Court is devoid of any reference to a motion seeking an
extension of the deadline to file a notice of appeal. (ECF 1-1, p. 62). The Record which is
currently on file was filed April 15, 2014. If supplemented, the docket sheet from the underlying
bankruptcy case would show that no motion seeking an extension of time was filed after April
15, 2014. A true and correct copy of the docket sheet entries from March 14, 2014 to the present
date is attached as Exhibit A, and its contents are incorporated by reference.
Case 3:14-cv-01370-P Document 2 Filed 04/29/14 Page 2 of 4 PageID 68
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By itself, the late-filed Notice of Appeal cannot be construed as a satisfying the
requirements of a separately-filed, written motion as expressly required by Rule 8002(c)(2).
Williams v. EMC Mortgage Corp. (In re Williams), 216 F.3d 1295, 1297 (11th Cir. 2000). No
other court has implied the filing of a motion for extension of time when an appellant has failed
to file a written motion pursuant to Rule 8002(c)(2). E.g., Sellitti v. R.H. Macy & Co., Inc. (In re
R.H. Macy & Co., Inc.), 173 B.R. 303, 302 (S.D.N.Y. 1994); American Freight System, Inc. v.
W.A. Walker & Assoc’s, Inc. (In re American Freight System, Inc.), 153 B.R. 316, 321 (D.Kan.
1993); Martin v. Bay State Milling Co., 151 B.R. 154, 156 (N.D.Ill. 1993); In re Bushnell, 273
B.R. 359, 363 (Bankr.D.Vt. 2001); Total Success, Inc. v. Moore (In re Total Success, Inc.), 47
B.R. 861, 862 (Bankr.Ariz. 1985).
WHEREFORE, premises considered, Appellee, Jeffrey Baron, respectfully requests that
the Court dismiss the above-styled and numbered bankruptcy appeal because of the Appellants’
failure to invoke this Court’s appellate jurisdiction.
Respectfully Submitted this 29
th
day of April 2014.
PENDERGRAFT & SIMON, LLP
/s/ Leonard H. Simon
Leonard H. Simon
Texas Bar No. 18387400
2777 Allen Parkway, Suite 800
Houston, Texas 77019
Tel. (713) 528-8555
Fax. (713) 868-1267
Counsel for Jeffrey Baron
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Certificate of Conference
This is to certify that on Monday, April 28, 2014, at approximately 8:46 am, I forwarded
a draft of this Motion to Gerrit M. Pronske, counsel for appellants, for purposes of conferring
with him regarding same. I asked Mr. Pronske to advise as to whether he opposed the relief
requested. As of the time of the filing of this Motion, I have not received a phone call, email or
fax responding to my email.
/s/ Leonard H. Simon
Leonard H. Simon
Certificate of Service
I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the above Appellee’s Motion to Dismiss
has been served on the following counsel/parties of record in accordance with Bankruptcy Rule
9013, BLR 9013-1 and local rules for ECF service on this 29
th
day of April 2014:
Counsel/parties appearing via ECF:
Gerrit M. Pronske, Counsel for Appellants
/s/ Leonard H. Simon
Leonard H. Simon
Case 3:14-cv-01370-P Document 2 Filed 04/29/14 Page 4 of 4 PageID 70
EXHIBIT “A”
4/23/14
U.S. Bankruptcy Court - Northern District of Texas
https://ecf.txnb.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/DktRpt.pl?144029390808897-L_1_0-1
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REFORM, 5thCircuitAppeal, EXHIBITS, SEALEDEXH, SealedDocument, APPEAL,
DISMISSED
U.S. Bankruptcy Court
Northern District of Texas (Dallas)
Bankruptcy Petition #: 12-37921-sgj7
Assigned to: Stacey G. Jernigan
Chapter 7
Involuntary
Debtor disposition: Dismissed for Other Reason
Date filed: 12/18/2012
Debtor dismissed: 03/14/2014
341 meeting: 01/06/2014
Deadline for objecting to discharge: 10/07/2013
Debtor
Jeffrey Baron
P.O. Box 111501
Dallas, TX 75011
DALLAS-TX
SSN / ITIN: xxx-xx-9133
represented by Christopher M. Albert
Busch Ruotolo & Simpson, LLP
100 Crescent Court, Suite 250
Dallas, TX 75201
214-855-2880
Fax : 214-855-2871
Email: albert@buschllp.com
TERMINATED: 07/23/2013
Stephen Rudolph Cochell
The Cochell Law Firm
7026 Old Katy Road, Suite 259
Houston, TX 77024
(713) 980-8796
Fax : (713) 980-1179
Email: srcochell@cochellfirm.com
Leonard H. Simon
Pendergraft & Simon L.L.P.
The Riviana Building, Suite 800
2777 Allen Parkway
Houston, TX 77019
713-528-8555
Fax : 832-202-2810
Email: lsimon@pendergraftsimon.com
Mark Stromberg
Stromberg Stock
Northpark Center
8750 N Central Expwy, Ste 625
Dallas, TX 75231
972-458-5335
Fax : 972-861-5339
Email: mark@strombergstock.com
Case 3:14-cv-01370-P Document 2-1 Filed 04/29/14 Page 1 of 5 PageID 71
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U.S. Bankruptcy Court - Northern District of Texas
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TERMINATED: 07/17/2013
Edwin E. Wright, III
Abrams Centre
9330 LBJ Fwy, Suite 1400
Dallas, TX 75243
(972) 499-3406
Fax : (972) 231-9150
Email: wright@edwright.com
Trustee
John H. Litzler
1412 Main St., 24th Flr.
Dallas, TX 75202
(214) 752-0999
represented by Kevin D. McCullough
Rochelle McCullough L.L.P.
325 N. St. Paul St., Ste. 4500
Dallas, TX 75201
(214)953-0182
Fax : (214)953-0185
Email: kdm@romclawyers.com
Kathryn Gillian Reid
Rochelle McCullough LLP
325 N. Saint Paul Street, Suite 4500
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 953-0182
Fax : (214) 953-0185
Email: kreid@romclawyers.com
Julian Preston Vasek
Rochelle McCullough, LLP
325 N. St. Paul St., Ste. 4500
Dallas, TX 75201-3827
(214) 953-0182
Fax : (214) 953-0185
Email: jvasek@romclawyers.com
U.S. Trustee
United States Trustee
1100 Commerce Street
Room 976
Dallas, TX 75242
214-767-8967
represented by Lisa L. Lambert
Office of the United States Trustee
1100 Commerce St., Rm. 976
Dallas, TX 75242
(214) 767-8967 ext. 1080
Fax : (214) 767-8971
Email: lisa.l.lambert@usdoj.gov
Interim Trustee
John H. Litzler, Gap Trustee
1412 Main St., 24th Flr.
Dallas, TX 75202
( 214) 752-0999
represented by John H. Litzler
1412 Main St., 24th Flr.
Dallas, TX 75202
(214) 752-0999
Email: msanchez@lssmllp.com
Kevin D. McCullough
(See above for address)
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4/23/14
U.S. Bankruptcy Court - Northern District of Texas
https://ecf.txnb.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/DktRpt.pl?144029390808897-L_1_0-1
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Filing Date Docket Text
03/14/2014
466 (1 pg) Order denying motion for expedited hearing (Related Doc# 465 Expedite
hearing on #464 Motion for relief from stay) Entered on 3/14/2014. (Mathews, M.)
03/14/2014
467 (2 pgs) Order dismissing Debtor without prejudice. Entered on 3/14/2014.
(Mathews, M.)
03/16/2014
468 (3 pgs) BNC certificate of mailing - PDF document. (RE: related document(s)466
Order denying motion for expedited hearing (Related Doc465 Expedite hearing on
#464 Motion for relief from stay) Entered on 3/14/2014. (Mathews, M.)) No. of
Notices: 2. Notice Date 03/16/2014. (Admin.)
03/16/2014
469 (5 pgs) BNC certificate of mailing - PDF document. (RE: related document(s)467
Order dismissing Debtor without prejudice. Entered on 3/14/2014. (Mathews, M.)) No.
of Notices: 41. Notice Date 03/16/2014. (Admin.)
04/11/2014
470 (15 pgs; 3 docs) Application for compensation and reimbursement of expenses
for Litzler, Segner, Shaw & McKenney LLP, Accountant, Period: 1/21/2013 to
4/10/2014, Fee: $18,511.00, Expenses: $229.39. Filed by (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A
# 2 Service List) (Litzler, John)
04/11/2014
471 (27 pgs; 4 docs) Application for compensation for Stromberg Stock, PLLC,
Debtor's Attorney, Period: 1/15/2013 to 7/31/2013, Fee: $145506.67, Expenses:
$957.79. Filed by Creditor Stromberg Stock, PLLC Objections due by 5/5/2014.
(Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 # 2 Exhibit A - Part I # 3 Exhibit Part 2) (Stromberg, Mark)
04/11/2014
472 (14 pgs; 3 docs) Application for compensation for Busch Ruotolo & Simpson,
LLP, Debtor's Attorney, Period: 1/28/2013 to 8/21/2013, Fee: $14,093.33, Expenses:
$565.00. Filed by Creditor Busch Ruotolo & Simpson, LLP Objections due by
5/5/2014. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 # 2 Exhibit A) (Albert, Christopher)
04/11/2014
473 (245 pgs; 7 docs) Application for compensation Receiver's Application for
Payment. Filed by Attorney Jeffrey R Fine (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A # 2 Exhibit B #
3 Exhibit C # 4 Exhibit D # 5 Exhibit E # 6 Exhibit F) (Fine, Jeffrey)
04/13/2014
474 (29 pgs) Adversary case 14-03047. Complaint by Jeffrey Baron against Gerrit
Pronske, Pronske & Patel, P.C., Pronske, Goolsby & Kathman, P.C., ELIZABETH L.
MORGAN, Schurig Jetel Beckett Tackett, Dean Ferguson, Gary G. Lyon, Robert
Garrey, Powers Taylor, LLP, Mark Taylor, Jeffrey Hall, David L. Pacione. Fee
Amount $293. Nature(s) of suit: 14 (Recovery of money/property - other). (Simon,
Leonard)
04/14/2014
475 (49 pgs; 4 docs) Application for compensation for Rochelle McCullough, LLP,
Trustee's Attorney, Period: 1/21/2013 to 3/14/2014, Fee: $243,201.00, Expenses:
$12,945.07. Filed by Attorney Rochelle McCullough, LLP Objections due by 5/8/2014.
(Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A # 2 Coversheet # 3 Service List) (McCullough, Kevin)
Case 3:14-cv-01370-P Document 2-1 Filed 04/29/14 Page 3 of 5 PageID 73
4/23/14
U.S. Bankruptcy Court - Northern District of Texas
https://ecf.txnb.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/DktRpt.pl?144029390808897-L_1_0-1
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04/14/2014
476 (3 pgs) Notice of appeal . Fee Amount $298 filed by Dean Ferguson, Robert
Garrey, Jeffrey Hall, Gary G. Lyon, David L. Pacione, Powers Taylor, LLP, Pronske
Goolsby & Kathman, P.C., Shurig Jetel Beckett Tackett (RE: related document(s)467
Order dismissing case). Appellant Designation due by 04/28/2014. (Pronske, Gerrit)
04/15/2014
Receipt of filing fee for Notice of appeal(12-37921-sgj7) [appeal,ntcapl] ( 298.00).
Receipt number 18887284, amount $ 298.00 (re: Doc# 476). (U.S. Treasury)
04/15/2014
478 (7 pgs; 3 docs) Certificate of mailing regarding appeal (RE: related
document(s)476 Notice of appeal . filed by Dean Ferguson, Robert Garrey, Jeffrey Hall,
Gary G. Lyon, David L. Pacione, Powers Taylor, LLP, Pronske Goolsby & Kathman,
P.C., Shurig Jetel Beckett Tackett (RE: related document(s)467 Order dismissing case).
(Attachments: # 1 Service List) (Whitaker, Sheniqua)
04/15/2014
479 (1 pg) Transmittal of record on appeal to U.S. Court of Appeals. Deficient record
on appeal: "Untimely. ,Transmitted: Mini Record. . (RE: related document(s)476 Notice
of appeal . (RE: related document(s)467 Order dismissing case). (Whitaker, Sheniqua)
04/15/2014
481 (10 pgs; 2 docs) Amended application for compensation THE RECEIVERS
SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION FOR PAYMENT UNDER 11 U.S.C. § 303(i) AND
543(c) OF COSTS, ATTORNEYS FEES, AND DAMAGES INCURRED. Filed by
Attorney Jeffrey R Fine (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit I) (Fine, Jeffrey)
04/15/2014
482 (4 pgs) Notice of docketing record on appeal. Civil Action Number: 3:14-CV-
1370-P (RE: related document(s)476 Notice of appeal) (Blanco, J.) (Entered:
04/16/2014)
04/17/2014
483 (3 pgs) Order Setting Scheduling Conference and Setting Potential Scheduling
Conference Entered on 4/17/2014 (RE: related document(s)470 Application for
compensation filed by Accountant Litzler, Segner, Shaw & McKenney LLP, 471
Application for compensation filed by Creditor Stromberg Stock, PLLC, 472
Application for compensation filed by Creditor Busch Ruotolo & Simpson, LLP, 473
Application for compensation filed by Interested Party Peter S. Vogel, Receiver, 475
Application for compensation, 481 Amended Application for compensation filed by
Interested Party Peter S. Vogel, Receiver). Status Conference to be held on 6/10/2014 at
01:30 PM at Dallas Judge Jernigan Ctrm. (Mathews, M.) Modified text on 4/21/2014
(Mathews, M.).
04/17/2014
484 (5 pgs) BNC certificate of mailing - PDF document. (RE: related document(s)478
Certificate of mailing regarding appeal (RE: related document(s)476 Notice of appeal .
filed by Dean Ferguson, Robert Garrey, Jeffrey Hall, Gary G. Lyon, David L. Pacione,
Powers Taylor, LLP, Pronske Goolsby & Kathman, P.C., Shurig Jetel Beckett Tackett
(RE: related document(s)467 Order dismissing case). (Attachments: # 1 Service List))
No. of Notices: 1. Notice Date 04/17/2014. (Admin.)
485 (5 pgs) BNC certificate of mailing - PDF document. (RE: related document(s)483
Order Setting Potential Scheduling Conference Entered on 4/17/2014 (RE: related
Case 3:14-cv-01370-P Document 2-1 Filed 04/29/14 Page 4 of 5 PageID 74
4/23/14
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04/19/2014
document(s)470 Application for compensation filed by Accountant Litzler, Segner,
Shaw & McKenney LLP, 471 Application for compensation filed by Creditor
Stromberg Stock, PLLC, 472 Application for compensation filed by Creditor Busch
Ruotolo & Simpson, LLP, 473 Application for compensation filed by Interested Party
Peter S. Vogel, Receiver, 475 Application for compensation, 481 Amended Application
for compensation filed by Interested Party Peter S. Vogel, Receiver). Status Conference
to be held on 6/10/2014 at 01:30 PM at Dallas Judge Jernigan Ctrm. (Mathews, M.))
No. of Notices: 2. Notice Date 04/19/2014. (Admin.)
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