A Guide to the Northern District of Ohio Bankruptcy Trustee Directory
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Ohio is organized into four major divisions: Eastern Division (Cleveland), Eastern Division (Akron/Canton), Western Division (Toledo), and Youngstown.
Whether filing under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, the Trustee serves as the court‑appointed fiduciary responsible for protecting the bankruptcy estate. In Chapter 7, this includes reviewing your financial disclosures, conducting the 341 Meeting of Creditors, and liquidating any non‑exempt assets for the benefit of creditors.
In Chapter 13, the Trustee oversees your 341 Meeting and Confirmation Hearing, monitors ongoing compliance throughout the case, and administers the plan by collecting and disbursing monthly payments to creditors.
By Alexander Hernandez, J.D., Professor, and Author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge).
Key Takeaways: Northern District of Ohio Trustee Directory
- Jurisdiction: The Northern District of Ohio covers Cleveland, Toledo, Akron, Canton, Youngstown, and surrounding counties.
- Trustee’s Fiduciary Role: Trustees safeguard the bankruptcy estate, review debtor financials, and distribute assets to creditors.
- Chapter 7 (Liquidation): Trustees identify non-exempt assets that may be liquidated for creditors.
- Chapter 13 (Reorganization): Standing trustees administer the monthly plan payments, evaluate plan feasibility, and conduct the 341 Meeting and confirmation hearing.
- Hearings: 341 Meetings in the Northern District of Ohio are generally held remotely via Zoom or telephone, though trustees may require in-person appearances.
- Document Deadlines: Debtors must provide tax returns, bank statements, pay stubs, and financial documentation directly to the assigned trustee at least seven to ten days before the 341 Meeting.
Northern District of Ohio Bankruptcy Filings (2023–2025)
District filing data shows that Chapter 7 cases make up the clear majority of consumer bankruptcies, about 81% of all petitions. That imbalance shapes how the trustee system is organized with a large, multi‑county panel of Chapter 7 private trustees.
In contrast, there is a smaller group of Chapter 13 standing trustees.
| Year | Chapter 7 | Chapter 13 | Total Filings |
| 2025 | 11,669 | 2,626 | 14,295 |
| 2024 | 10,718 | 2,957 | 13,675 |
| 2023 | 9,260 | 2,423 | 11,683 |
Chapter 7 and 13 Trustees in Northern Ohio
Operating under the oversight of the Office of the United States Trustee, a branch of the Department of Justice, Chapter 7 trustees are bound by Sections 704 and 541 to review bankruptcy schedules, examine financial documents, and liquidate non-exempt assets. Chapter 7 trustees also conduct the 341 Meeting of Creditors.
Under Chapter 13, standing trustees fulfill responsibilities under Sections 1302 and 1326 by evaluating repayment feasibility, collecting plan payments and disbursing them to creditors according to their proof of claims, and overseeing case compliance over the 3-to-5-year life of the plan.
The Bankruptcy Process
Most 341 Meetings across the divisions of the Northern District of Ohio take place via Zoom or teleconference, though trustees may require physical attendance. The creditors’ meeting is typically set roughly 30 days after the filing of the bankruptcy petition.
Required Documents
Debtors must submit required documents to the trustees between 7-10 days in advance of the 341 meeting of creditors; otherwise, their case is subject to dismissal. The standard list of documents includes bank statements, pay stubs, tax returns, and current outstanding balances on secured debt such as motor vehicles and mortgages to determine the asset’s equity. Most trustees also require copies of your credit report which is usually obtained by your bankruptcy attorney.
Below is the list of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 trustees for the Northern District of Ohio.
Chapter 7 Trustees
| Trustee Name | Office Address | Contact Information |
| Lisa M. Barbacci | 600 East Smith Road, Medina, OH 44256 | trustee@barbaccilaw.com (330) 722-4488 |
| Robert D. Barr | 1111 Superior Avenue East, Suite 1360, Cleveland, OH 44114 | barr-trustee@koehler.law (216) 539-9370 |
| Brian Alan Bash | 127 Public Square, Suite 2000, Cleveland, OH 44114 | bbash@bakerlaw.com (216) 861-7581 |
| Patti M. Baumgartner-Novak | 3015 Navarre Ave., Suite 203, Oregon, OH 43616 | pnovak@bex.net (419) 724-2480 |
| Virgil E. Brown, Jr. | 4070 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, OH 44121 | virgil@vebtrustee.com (216) 851-3304 |
| Michael Douglas Buzulencia | 150 E. Market Street, Suite 300, Warren, OH 44481 | buzulenciatrustee@mahoningvalleylaw.com (330) 392-8551 |
| Thomas E. Cafferty | 500 Madison Ave., Suite 320, Toledo, OH 43604 | tcafferty@bex.net (419) 244-0169 |
| Melissa M. Macejko | P. O. Box 806, Youngstown, OH 44501 | akrontr@suharlaw.com (330) 744-9007 |
| Josiah Locke Mason | P.O. Box 345, Ashland, OH 44805 | jlmasontrustee@joemasonlaw.com (419) 289-1600 |
| Ericka S. Parker | P.O. Box 262, Curtice, OH 43412 | esparker@sbcglobal.net (419) 243-0900 |
| Joseph Romano | 4508 State Road, Cleveland, OH 44109 | trustee@jromanolaw.com (216) 621-7777 |
| Anne C. Silagy | 1225 South Main St, Suite 1, North Canton, OH 44720 | asilagylawfirm@neo.rr.com (330) 526-8221 |
| David O. Simon | 3659 Green Road, Suite 106, Beachwood, OH 44122-5715 | david@simonlpa.com (216) 621-6201 |
| Michael Steel | 2950 West Market Street, Suite G, Fairlawn, OH 44333 | msteel@steelcolaw.com (330) 223-5050 |
| Andrew Walter Suhar | P.O. Box 1497, Youngstown, OH 44501-1576 | asuhar@suharlaw.com (330) 744-9007 |
| William L. Swope | 610 Tiffin Ave., Findlay, OH 45840 | trustee7@sbcglobal.net (419) 422-0288 |
| Richard Glenn Zellers | 3695 Boardman-Canfield Road, Bldg. B, Suite 300, Canfield, OH 44406 | zellersesq@gmail.com (330) 702-0780 |
| Julie K. Zurn | 222 S. Main Street, Suite 400, Akron, OH 44308 | jzurn@ralaw.com (330) 434-7459 |
Chapter 13 Standing Trustees
| Trustee Name | Office Address | Contact Information |
| Michael A. Gallo | 5048 Belmont Ave., Youngstown, OH 44505 | (330) 743-1246 Fax: (330) 746-8616 |
| Lauren A. Helbling | 200 Public Square, Suite 3860, Cleveland, OH 44114 | lhelbling@ch13cleve.com (216) 621-4268 |
| Keith L. Rucinski | One Cascade Plaza, Suite 2020, Akron, OH 44308 | krucinski@ch13akron.com (330) 762-6335 |
| Dynele L. Schinker-Kuharich | 200 Market Avenue, N., Suite 30, Canton, OH 44702 | dlsk@chapter13canton.com (330) 455-2222 |
| Elizabeth A. Vaughan | 316 N. Michigan Street, Suite 501, Toledo, OH 43604 | ElizabethAV@chapter13toledo.com (419) 255-0675 |
Conclusion
To receive a discharge in a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 case in the Northern District of Ohio, you must appear at all required hearings and provide the trustee with the financial documents they request. These documents must be submitted on time and in the format the trustee specifies, whether by mail, email, or through their online upload portal.
Understanding how the U.S. Trustee Program operates and how your district’s Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 trustee manage cases gives you a distinct roadmap. By carefully preparing your disclosures and meeting document deadlines, you can avoid dismissal of your case and move confidently toward a successful financial fresh start.
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.
Bankruptcy Code References and Citations
- 11 U.S. Code §704 – Duties of trustee.
- 11 U.S. Code §541 – Property of the estate.
- 11 U.S. Code §341 – Meetings of creditors and equity security holders.
- 11 U.S. Code §1302 – Trustee.
- 11 U.S. Code §1326 – Payments.
You must be logged in to post a comment.