Western District of Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Trustee Directory (2026)
The Western Bankruptcy District of Pennsylvania consists of bankruptcy courts located in Pittsburgh, Erie, and Johnstown. The Chapter 7 and 13 trustees are overseen by the United States Trustee Program for Region 3.
In the Western District, Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 trustees oversee case administration by reviewing financial disclosures, conducting the Section 341 Meeting of Creditors, and ensuring compliance with all statutory requirements, including plan confirmation in Chapter 13 cases.
By Alexander Hernandez, J.D., Professor, and Author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge).
Key Points: Western District of Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Trustees
- Bankruptcy District: Pennsylvania is divided into three districts, the Western, Middle and Western Districts.
- Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: Chapter 7 trustees review the debtor’s financial disclosures, administer any non‑exempt assets that must be liquidated, and conduct the Section 341 Meeting of Creditors.
- Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: The standing Chapter 13 trustee evaluates proposed repayment schedules, presides over the Section 341 Meeting of Creditors, and monitors ongoing compliance with the plan confirmation.
Bankruptcy Trustees in the Western District of Pennsylvania
The Western District of Pennsylvania operates through courthouses in Pittsburgh, Erie, and Johnstown. Your county of residence determines where you file your case and which Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 trustee is appointed.
Pittsburgh Division Office
The Pittsburgh Bankruptcy Court is located at 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.
Johnstown Division
The Johnstown Office is located at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Penn Traffic Building, Johnstown, Pennsylvania 15901. The Johnstown Division includes Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Clearfield, Indiana, and Somerset counties.
- 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.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustees for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Chapter 7 trustees in Pennsylvania administer bankruptcy estates under §704(a), which requires them to review the debtor’s schedules and statements, examine the debtor under oath at the Section 341 Meeting of Creditors, and determine whether any non‑exempt assets should be liquidated for the benefit of creditors.
Shortly after filing, generally within a week to ten days, trustees request supporting documents such as tax returns, pay stubs, and bank statements to verify the accuracy of your financial situation.
So it’s critical that these documents be obtained in advance. Otherwise, if these materials are not provided in a timely manner, the trustee may continue the 341 Meeting or seek dismissal under § 521(a)(3)–(4).
Below are the filing statistics for Chapter 7 and 13 filings in the Western District from 2023 through 2025.
| Year | Chapter 7 Filings | Chapter 13 Filings | Total Filings |
| 2025 | 3,029 | 1,710 | 4,739 |
| 2024 | 2,820 | 1,541 | 4,361 |
| 2023 | 2,410 | 1,559 | 3,969 |
Below are the Chapter 7 trustees for the Western District of Pennsylvania:
| Trustee Name | Address | Contact Information |
| Eric E. Bononi | 20 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Greensburg, PA 15601 | Phone: (724) 832-2499 E-mail: eric@bononilaw.com |
| Rosemary C. Crawford | P.O. Box 355, Allison Park, PA 15101 | Phone: (724) 443-4757 E-mail: crawfordmcdonald@aol.com |
| Justin Schantz | 324 South Maple Avenue, 2nd floor. Greensburg, PA 15601-3219 | Phone: (724) 837-2320 E-mail: jpstrustee@gmail.com |
| Robert H. Slone | 223 South Maple Avenue, Greensburg, PA 15601 | Phone: (724) 834-2990 Fax: (724) 834-1250 E-mail: robertslone223@gmail.com |
| Joseph B. Spero | 3213 West 26th Street, Erie, PA 16506 | Phone: (814) 836-1011 Fax: (814) 836-1140 E-mail: sperofirm@sperolawoffice.com |
| Lisa M. Swope | 219 South Center Street, P.O. Box 270, Ebensburg, PA 15931 | Phone: (814) 472-7151 E-mail: lms@nsslawfirm.com |
| Crystal Thornton-Illar | 525 William Penn Place, 28th floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 | Phone: (412) 261-1600 E-mail: Cthornton-Illar@leechtishman.com |
| Pamela J. Wilson | 810 Vermont Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15234 | Phone: (412) 341-4323 Fax: (412) 341-2621 E-mail: pwilson@pjwlaw.net |
| Charles O. Zebley, Jr. | 18 Mill Street Square, P.O. Box 2124, Uniontown, PA 15401 | Phone: (724) 439-9200 E-mail: COZ@Zeblaw.com |
Chapter 13 Standing Trustees
Operating under Sections 1302 and 1326, Chapter 13 trustees oversee repayment proceedings from start to finish. Their core duties include scrutinizing financial documents, examining debtors under oath during the Section 341 Creditor Meeting, and confirming the feasibility of the proposed plan, including meeting the requirements of the Liquidation Test.
Trustees are also responsible under Section 1324 for confirmation hearings, collecting scheduled monthly payments, and disbursing payments to creditors.
Below is the contact information for the Chapter 13 trustee for the Western District of Pennsylvania:
| Trustee Name | Address | Contact Information |
| Ronda J. Winnecour | Suite 3250 USX Tower, 600 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 | Phone: (412) 471-5566 |
Conclusion
Handling the Western District of Pennsylvania bankruptcy process successfully starts with understanding court organization and the role of the trustee. Whether you are pursuing a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 case, securing a successful discharge of your debts depends on staying responsive to document deadlines and making timely payments in a Chapter 13 case.
To keep your case moving smoothly and prevent costly delays or dismissals, focus on three key practices: arriving fully prepared for the Section 341 Meeting of Creditors, submitting required financial records without delay, and ensuring absolute accuracy across all filed schedules and statements.
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 Statutory References
- 11 U.S. Code §341 – Meetings of creditors and equity security holders.
- 11 U.S. Code §704 – Duties of trustee.
- 11 U.S. Code §521 – Debtor’s duties.
- 11 U.S. Code §1302 – Trustee.
- 11 U.S. Code §1326 – Payments.
- 11 U.S. Code §1324 – Confirmation hearing.
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