A Guide to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Middle District of North Carolina
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of North Carolina handles bankruptcy proceedings across the center of the state, bridging the Piedmont Triad and the Research Triangle. As one of three federal bankruptcy districts in North Carolina, it manages an active docket through divisional offices located in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Durham.
In this guide, you will find essential contact information such as the bankruptcy judges’ contact information, law clerk details, and courtroom deputy contacts for the district’s judicial officers, including Chief Judge Benjamin A. Kahn and Judge Lena M. James.
Updated on August 19, 2026.
By Alexander Hernandez, J.D., Professor, and Author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge).
General Court Contact & Locations
The Clerk’s Office acts as the primary administrative point of contact for case filings and records management. As a reminder, state and federal law strictly prohibits court personnel from providing legal advice.
| Office / Division | Contact Information |
| Greensboro Office (Main) | (336) 358-4000 |
| Winston-Salem Office | (336) 397-7785 |
| Multi-court VCIS | 1-866-222-8029 |
| CM/ECF Help Desk (Greensboro) | (336) 358-4010 |
| CM/ECF Help Desk (Winston-Salem) | (336) 397-7787 |
| Public Office Hours | Mon – Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Payments accepted until 4:00 PM) |
Security Reminder: A valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID is required to pass through security checkpoints at any federal courthouse building within the district.
Primary Court Locations
- Greensboro (Headquarters): 101 South Edgeworth Street, Greensboro, NC 27401.
- Winston-Salem: 601 West Fourth Street, Winston-Salem, NC 2710.
- Durham: 105 South Duke Street, Durham, NC 27701.
Bankruptcy Judges and Administration
The bankruptcy judges of the Middle District of North Carolina oversee Chapter 7, 11, 12, and 13 dockets.
| Role / Judicial Officer | Contact Person | Responsibility / Notes | Phone Number |
| Hon. Benjamin A. Kahn Chief Judge | Main Chambers | Chambers & Courtroom Contact | (336) 358-4090 |
| Grace Kinley | Law Clerk | (336) 358-4092 | |
| David Ryan | Law Clerk | (336) 358-4091 | |
| Karen Champagne | Courtroom Deputy | (336) 358-4018 (Calendar Questions & Continuances) |
| Role / Judicial Officer | Contact Person | Responsibility / Notes | Phone Number / Email |
| Hon. Lena M. James Bankruptcy Judge | Main Chambers | General Chambers & Courtroom Contact | (336) 397-7870 |
| Eric Connon | Law Clerk | (336) 397-7871 | |
| Keil Nicholas | Law Clerk | (336) 397-7872 | |
| Traci Phillips | Courtroom Deputy | (336) 397-7789 (Calendar Questions & Continuances) Traci-Michelle_Phillips@ncmb.uscourts.gov |
Jurisdiction and Filing Divisions
The Middle District encompasses 24 counties across the central region of the state. Bankruptcy cases are allocated to one of three specific divisions based primarily on the debtor’s county of residence or principal place of business:
Durham Division
- Serves: Chatham, Durham, Hoke, Lee, Moore, Orange, Person, and Scotland counties.
Greensboro Division
- Serves: Alamance, Caswell, Guilford, Montgomery, Randolph, Richmond, and Rockingham counties.
Winston-Salem Division
- Serves: Cabarrus, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Rowan, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, and Yadkin counties.
Annual Bankruptcy Case Filings (Middle District of North Carolina)
To show how bankruptcy activity has changed across the Piedmont Triad and nearby counties, reviewing past filing numbers helps clarify the district’s long‑term trends.
| Calendar Year | Chapter 7 Filings | Chapter 13 Filings | Total Filings |
| 2025 | 99 | 1,106 | 1,205 |
| 2024 | 947 | 1,108 | 2,055 |
| 2020 | 744 | 1,155 | 1,899 |
Professor’s Important Note
Practice within the Middle District of North Carolina is governed by localized rules, standing administrative orders, and individual judge preferences. Because procedural requirements and local forms are subject to change, attorneys and pro se filers should verify current guidelines directly on the official Middle District Bankruptcy Court website before submitting petitions or pleadings.
For a full overview of North Carolina bankruptcy courts, trustees, exemptions, and filing requirements, visit the statewide resource page on Bankruptcy.blog.
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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