A Guide to the Southern District of Ohio Bankruptcy Trustee Directory
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio encompasses three primary divisions: Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton. Whether filing under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, the Trustee serves as the court‑appointed fiduciary charged with protecting the bankruptcy estate.
In Chapter 7, this includes reviewing the debtor’s schedules, conducting the 341 Meeting of Creditors, and liquidating non‑exempt assets for creditors. In Chapter 13, the Trustee supervises the confirmation process, monitors plan performance, and administers monthly payments to creditors.
Key Takeaways: Southern District of Ohio Trustee Directory
- Jurisdiction: The Southern District covers Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, and surrounding counties.
- Trustee’s Fiduciary Role: Trustees safeguard the bankruptcy estate, examine debtor financials, and ensure equitable distribution to creditors by selling non‑exempt property to satisfy creditor claims.
- Chapter 13 (Reorganization): Standing trustees collect plan payments, evaluate feasibility, and oversee compliance.
- Hearings: 341 Meetings in the Southern District are held remotely via Zoom or telephone, though trustees may require in‑person attendance when necessary.
- Document Deadlines: Debtors must provide tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and other financial documents directly to the assigned trustee between seven to ten days before the 341 Meeting.
District Overview
Filing data indicates that Chapter 7 petitions represent the majority of consumer bankruptcies in the Southern District, accounting for roughly 70% of filings. Below are the statistics for the Southern District.
Southern District of Ohio Bankruptcy Filing Statistics: Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13
| Year | Chapter 7 Filings | Chapter 13 Filings | Total Filings |
| 2025 | 8,228 | 3,518 | 11,746 |
| 2024 | 7,642 | 3,379 | 11,021 |
| 2023 | 6,327 | 3,062 | 9,389 |
Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Trustees in Southern Ohio
Operating under the supervision of the Office of the United States Trustee, Chapter 7 trustees perform duties under 11 U.S.C. Sections 704 and 541, including reviewing schedules, examining assets, and conducting the 341 Meeting of Creditors.
Chapter 13 standing trustees act pursuant to Sections 1302 and 1326, evaluating plan feasibility, collecting payments, disbursing funds to creditors, and monitoring compliance over the 3‑to‑5‑year plan term.
The Bankruptcy Process
Most 341 Meetings across the Southern District divisions are conducted virtually, though trustees may require physical attendance for specific cases. The meeting of creditors is generally scheduled about 30 days after filing the bankruptcy petition.
Required Documents
Debtors must submit required documentation 7–10 days before the 341 Meeting of Creditors. Failure to do so may result in case delay or dismissal. Typical submissions include:
- Recent bank statements and pay stubs.
- Tax returns for the prior two years.
- Vehicle and mortgage statements to determine secured‑debt equity.
- A credit report, often obtained by the debtor’s attorney.
Chapter 7 Trustees – Southern District of Ohio
| Amy L. Bostic | 1160 Dublin Road, Suite 400, Columbus, OH 43215 | Phone: (614) 229-4433 E-mail: abostic@lnlattorneys.com |
| Christal L. Caudill | 4260 Tuller Road, Suite 102, Dublin, OH 43017 | Phone: (614) 389-4940 Fax: (614) 704-5999 E-mail: clcaudill@caudill-law.com |
| James A. Coutinho | 10 W. Broad St., Ste. 2400, Columbus, OH 43215 | Phone: (614) 221-8500 Fax: (614) 221-5988 E-mail: coutinho@ASNAlaw.com |
| Eileen K. Field | 3991 Hamilton-Middletown Road, Unit U, Hamilton, OH 45011 | Phone: (513) 684-9000 Fax: (513) 684-8892 E-mail: eileenfield.trustee@fuse.net |
| Patricia J. Friesinger | 33 W. First Street, Suite 200, Dayton, OH 45402 | Phone: (937) 449-5776 E-mail: friesinger@coollaw.com |
| Eric W. Goering | 220 West Third Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 | Phone: (513) 621-0912 E-mail: erictrustee@goering-law.com |
| Clyde C. Hardesty, III | P.O. Box 731, Newark, OH 43058-0731 | Phone: (740) 344-8375 E-mail: Trusteeclyde@roadrunner.com |
| George P. Leicht | P.O. Box 602, Batavia, OH 45103-0602 | Phone: (513) 734-4848 E-mail: gpltrust@fuse.net |
| William Boyd Logan, Jr. | 1160 Dublin Road, Suite 400, Columbus, OH 43215 | Phone: (614) 229-4449 E-mail: wlogan@lnlattorneys.com |
| Donald Mallory | 600 Vine Street, Suite 2500, Cincinnati, OH 45202 | Phone: (513) 852-6094 E-mail: dwmallory@woodlamping.com |
| Matthew Schaeffer | 10 West Broad Street, Suite 2100, Columbus, OH 43215 | Phone: (614) 229-3289 |
| Arthur J. Southard | 215 East 9th Street, Suite 650, Cincinnati, OH 45202 | Phone: (513) 441-7770 E-mail: trustee@southardlawfirm.com |
| Dennis E. Stegner | 111 East Cecil Street, Springfield, OH 45504 | Phone: (937) 322-2161 E-mail: dstegneratty@bizwoh.rr.com |
| Brent A. Stubbins | P.O. Box 488, Zanesville, OH 43702 | Phone: (740) 452-8484 Fax: (740) 455-4124 E-mail: bstubbins@swbwlawfirm.com |
| Myron N. Terlecky | 575 South Third Street, Columbus, OH 43215 | Phone: (614) 228-6345 Fax: (614) 228-6369 E-mail: mnttrustee@columbuslawyer.net |
| David M. Whittaker | 10 W. Broad Street, Suite 2400, Columbus, OH 43215 | Phone: (614) 591-9581 E-mail: whittaker@asnalaw.com |
Southern District of Ohio Chapter 13 Standing Trustees
| Trustee | Address | Contact Information |
| Edward A. Bailey | 550 Polaris Parkway, Westerville, OH 43082 | Phone: (614) 436-6700 |
| Margaret A. Burks | 600 Vine Street, Suite 2200, Cincinnati, OH 45202 | Phone: (513) 621-4488 E-mail: Cincinnati@cinn13.org |
| Faye D. English | One Columbus, 10 West Broad Street, Ste 1600, Columbus, OH 43215-3449 | Phone: (614) 420-2555 E-mail: faye.english@ch13columbus.com |
| John G. Jansing | 409 E. Monument Avenue, Suite 410, Dayton, OH 45402 | Phone: (937) 222-7600 Fax: (937) 222-7383 E-mail: jjansing@dayton13.com |
Contact for the Northern District Trustees is available via this link.
Conclusion
To receive a discharge in a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 case in the Southern District of Ohio, debtors must attend all required hearings and provide trustees with requested financial documents on time and in the specified format, whether by mail, email, or secure upload.
Understanding how the U.S. Trustee Program operates and how your district’s Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 trustees manage cases provides a clear roadmap for compliance and a successful discharge.
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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