A Guide to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Western District of New York
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of New York encompasses 17 counties across the western region of the state. The district handles case administration through two primary divisional hubs centered in Buffalo and Rochester.
The Clerk’s headquarters is based in the Buffalo office, overseen by the Clerk of Court, Michael T. Powers.
Updated on June 28, 2026.
By Alexander Hernandez, J.D., Professor, and Author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge).
General Court Contact & Locations
The Clerk’s Office is your primary resource for case administration, electronic database indexing, and filing. Note that court staff members are strictly prohibited by federal law from providing legal advice. Only a lawyer is qualified to give legal advice.
| Office Role | Contact Information |
| Buffalo Clerk’s Office (Main) | (716) 362-3200 |
| Rochester Clerk’s Office | (585) 613-4200 |
| McVCIS (Voice Case Info) | 1-866-222-8029 |
| Public Office Hours | Mon – Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Excluding Federal Holidays) |
Bankruptcy cases are generally routed to and assigned by the specific courthouse servicing the county where the debtor resides.
Buffalo (Headquarters): Robert H. Jackson U.S. Courthouse, 2 Niagara Square, Buffalo, NY 14202.
Rochester: Kenneth B. Keating Federal Building, 100 State Street, Rochester, NY 14614.
Bankruptcy Judges
The Western District of New York features active and recalled judicial chambers split across its main locations. Following the retirement of Judge Paul R. Warren, Judge Timothy P. Lyster handles the active Rochester docket alongside Chief Judge Bucki in Buffalo.
| Judge | Chambers Location |
| Hon. Carl L. Bucki, Chief Judge | Buffalo |
| Hon. Timothy P. Lyster, Chief Judge | Rochester |
| Hon. Michael J. Kaplan (Retired / Recalled) | Buffalo |
Divisions and Counties
The 17 counties of the Western District are assigned under the territorial jurisdiction of either the Buffalo or Rochester divisions. Your initial filing location and mandatory meeting of creditors are determined by your county of residence.
Buffalo Division
| County | County | County | County |
| Allegany | Cattaraugus | Chautauqua | Erie |
| Genesee* | Niagara* | Orleans* | Wyoming* |
*Note: Assignment may shift dynamically between Buffalo and Rochester for certain specific chapters or complex cases within Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming boundaries.
Rochester Division
| County | County | County | County |
| Chemung | Livingston | Monroe | Ontario |
| Schuyler | Seneca | Steuben | Wayne |
| Yates |
Professor’s Important Note
Local rules and procedures vary widely between jurisdictions, even within the state of New York. Always confirm specific motion guidelines, the submission of proposed orders, and calendaring motions by reviewing the judge’s webpage.
If you are trying to review information for other federal boundaries across the state, you can access my comprehensive directory links here. Always make sure to review the Western District of New York’s website for updates. Chapters 7 and 13 Trustee information is available here.
Professor Hernandez is an attorney specializing in consumer finance and debt relief. He is the author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge) and teaches law and finance courses in both English and Spanish at an international university.
Educational Resources
- For Institutions: Colleges and universities may request examination copies of my textbook directly from Routledge Publishing.
- For Students & Practitioners: Single print and digital copies are available via Amazon Books.
- Video Lectures: Stream comprehensive legal breakdowns and video explanations on the Bankruptcy.blog YouTube Channel.
Bankruptcy Court & Consumer Resources
Explore additional consumer guides and state-specific directories to navigate your legal options:
- A step-by-step master guide to completing and understanding the bankruptcy petition.
- Bankruptcy Court Directory: Full listings for the federal bankruptcy court system and trustee contact information.
- State Bankruptcy Exemptions: Review your state‑specific exemptions or compare them with the federal exemptions.
- 341 Meeting Procedures: Prepare for your court date with updated rules, expectations, and practical guidance.
Please note that the information on this site does not constitute legal advice and should be considered for informational purposes only.
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