A Guide to the Western District of Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Court
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania administers bankruptcy cases across western Pennsylvania, with divisional offices in Pittsburgh, Erie, and Johnstown. Your county of residence determines where you file your bankruptcy petition and which judge oversees your case.
This reference guide provides essential administrative details, including court locations, jurisdiction, and contact information for judges and staff for the Western District.
By Alexander Hernandez, J.D., Professor, and Author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge).
Western Bankruptcy District of Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh Division Office
The Pittsburgh Office is located at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, 5414 U.S. Steel Tower, 600 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219. If you reside in the following counties, your case is filed with the Pittsburgh Office: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland.
- General Phone: (412) 644-2700.
- Clerk of Court: Michael R. Rhodes.
Johnstown Division
The Johnstown Office is located at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Penn Traffic Building, Johnstown, Pennsylvania 15901. The following counties are part of the Johnstown Division: Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Clearfield, Indiana, and Somerset.
- General Phone: (814) 533-4246.
Erie Division
The Erie Division is located at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, U.S. Courthouse, Room B160
17 South Park Row, Erie, Pennsylvania 16501. The following counties fall under the jurisdiction of the Erie Division: Crawford, Clarion, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Mercer, Venango, and Warren.
- General Phone: (814) 464-9740.
General Court Information
The Clerk’s Office handles docketing, case administration, and public records. Please note that clerks and court staff cannot provide legal advice, interpret statutes, or recommend procedural strategies.
Note that all federal courthouses enforce strict security protocols. Visitors must present valid government‑issued photo identification. If you are scheduled for a hearing, bring your hearing notice to expedite entry.
Annual Bankruptcy Case Filings (Western District of Pennsylvania)
Below is a summary of annual bankruptcy filings across the Western District from 2023 through 2025.
| Year | Chapter 7 Filings | Chapter 13 Filings | Total Filings |
| 2025 | 3,029 | 1,710 | 4,739 |
| 2024 | 2,826 | 1,541 | 4,367 |
| 2023 | 2,410 | 1,559 | 3,969 |
Pennsylvania Statewide Consumer Bankruptcy Filings
To understand the Western District’s caseload, below is a breakdown of total statewide Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings:
- 2025: 7,581 Chapter 7 filings; 6,161 Chapter 13 filings (13,742 total).
- 2024: 6,981 Chapter 7 filings; 5,701 Chapter 13 filings (12,682 total).
- 2023: 5,725 Chapter 7 filings; 5,187 Chapter 13 filings (10,912 total).
Bankruptcy Petition Filing Fees, Installment Plans, and Waivers (2026)
Bankruptcy filing fees are uniform nationwide. Electronic filings submitted through CM/ECF require payment via Pay.gov.
| Bankruptcy Chapter | Fee Amount |
| Chapter 7 | $338 |
| Chapter 13 | $313 |
| Chapter 11 (Non–Small Business) | $1,738 |
| Chapter 11 (Subchapter V) | $1,738 |
| Chapter 12 | $278 |
Filing Fee Payment Plans & Waivers
Chapter 7 debtors may request to pay the filing fee in four installments, with the final payment due within 120 days of filing. However, with good cause, the bankruptcy judge has the discretion to extend payments to 180 days.
Under 28 U.S.C. §1930(f), you can request a full waiver of the filing fee if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guideline, and you cannot afford to pay the fee through a payment plan. The federal poverty guidelines can be seen below.
Federal Poverty Guidelines (Monthly – 48 Contiguous States & D.C.)
| Persons in Household | Monthly Income |
| 1 | $1,995.00 |
| 2 | $2,705.00 |
| 3 | $3,415.00 |
| 4 | $4,125.00 |
| 5 | $4,835.00 |
| 6 | $5,545.00 |
| 7 | $6,255.00 |
| 8 | $6,965.00 |
| Each additional person add: | $710.00 |
How to Track Your Bankruptcy Case
Once you file your bankruptcy petition, you can view updates through PACER, the federal court’s online system, which allows you to review the docket and filings by the trustee or creditors. PACER charges up to $3 per document; however, usage fees are waived unless you exceed $30 in fees per quarter.
If you prefer to access case information by phone, you can call the Multi‑Voice Case Information System (MCVCIS) at 866‑222‑8029.
Bankruptcy Judges (Western District of Pennsylvania)
Below is the contact information for the bankruptcy judges in the Western District, including staff information. Since each judge has their own preferred policies and procedures, before scheduling hearings or filing motions, make sure to view the judge’s page for requirements.
| Judge | Location | Staff Contact Information |
| Chief Judge Gregory L. Taddonio | Pittsburgh | Phone: 412-644-3541 Law Clerks: Steven J. Brujic, 412-644-4063 Shannen Cloherty, 412-644-6431 |
Courtroom Deputies for Chief Judge Taddonio are assigned based on case numbers. For cases ending in 1, 2, 7, 8, or 0, Doug Basinski is assigned. Contact phone number: 412-316-1661.
For cases ending in 3, 4, 5, 6, or 9, Holly Thurman is assigned. Contact phone number: 412-644-4064.
| Judge | Location | Direct Staff Contacts |
| Judge Jeffery A. Deller | Pittsburgh | Law Clerk- Julian; Courtroom Deputies: Jeff & Scott- Phone: 412-644-4710 |
| Judge | Location | Direct Staff Contacts |
| Judge Carlota Böhm | Pittsburgh | Law Clerks- Kristen & Logan Phone: 412-644-4328 |
| Judge | Location | Direct Staff Contacts |
| Judge John C. Melaragno | Erie | Law Clerk- Courtney: Phone: 814-464-9761 Judicial Assistant: Katie: Phone: 814-464-9760 |
Courtroom Deputies for Judge Melaragno are assigned based on case numbers. Julie is assigned to cases ending in 0, 2, 3, 4, and 8, and she may be contacted at 814-464-9748.
For cases ending in 1, 5, 6, 7, or 9, Dmitriy is assigned and can be contacted at 814-464-9760.
Conclusion
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania operates through its Pittsburgh, Erie, and Johnstown offices.
Because chapter selection depends on exemptions, median income calculations, and the value of your assets, it is essential to review Pennsylvania’s exemption statutes and current means‑testing thresholds before filing a bankruptcy petition.
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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