Membership Nominations
Fellows are selected on an invitation only basis. Nominees for Fellows are extended an invitation to join based on a record of achievement in the insolvency process by professionals who have distinguished themselves in their practice and in their contribution to the insolvency field. The College now has over 800 Fellows, each selected by a Board of Regents from among recommendations of the Circuit Admissions Council in each federal judicial circuit and specially appointed Committees for Judicial and International Fellows.The College plays an important role in sustaining professional excellence and supports educational and pro bono efforts in local communities around the country. Criteria for selection include: the highest standard of professionalism, ethics, character, integrity, professional expertise and leadership in contributing to the enhancement of bankruptcy and insolvency processes; sustained evidence of scholarship, teaching, lecturing or writing on bankruptcy or insolvency; and commitment to elevate knowledge and understanding of the profession and public respect for the practice.
Judges, lawyers, international fellows, and accountants are to be licensed to practice for at least 15 years, be primarily in the bankruptcy and insolvency areas for at least 10 years, and in the case of judges be a judge for 3 years.
The Class 37 membership nomination forms will be released in March of 2025. Fellows will need to log in to access those forms. If you need your College login details, email Jenny Cudahy at jcudahy@amercol.org.
The Board of Regents is responsible for nomination and selection of qualified candidates to fellowship in the College. One Regent is appointed from each of eleven federal judicial circuits and three Regents are appointed At Large. Each Regent of a federal judicial circuit serves as Chair of its Circuit Admissions Council. The Board of Regents has the sole authority to elect Fellows to the College. The members are:
Chair
Jennifer C. Hagle (Chair, Board of Regents)Los Angeles, CA
1st Circuit
Douglas R. GoodingBoston, MA
2nd Circuit
Paul LeakeNew York, NY
3rd Circuit
Derek C. AbbottWilmington, DE
4th Circuit
Lynn Lewis TavennerRichmond, VA
5th Circuit
William Louis WallanderDallas, TX
6th Circuit
Rozanne M. GiuntaMidland, MI
7th Circuit
Brian L. ShawChicago, IL
8th Circuit
Monica L. ClarkMinneapolis, MN
9th Circuit
Debra GrassgreenSan Francisco, CA
10th Circuit
Annette W. JarvisSalt Lake City, UT
11th Circuit
Elizabeth A. GreenOrlando, FL
Reg-at-Large
Joan N. Feeney (ret.) (DEI Representative to the Board of Regents)Boston, MA
Angela LittwinAustin, TX
Bradley D. SharpLos Angeles, CA
Deborah Lee ThorneChicago, IL
The Committee is established by Art. IV, Sect 3(e) of the By-Laws and is responsible for initiating and nominating judges for admission as Fellows of the College. The members are:
Kevin R. Huennekens (Chair)Richmond, VA
Janet E. BostwickBoston, MA
Michael B. KaplanTrenton, NJ
Alan R. LepeneCleveland, OH
James T. MarkusDenver, CO
Thomas E. PattersonLos Angeles, CA
James M. PeckNew York, NY
Nancy A. PetermanChicago, IL
Berry D. SpearsAustin, TX
Kathy A. Surratt-States (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Designee)St. Louis, MO
Deborah Lee ThorneChicago, IL
The Committee is established by Art. IV, Sec. 3(f) of the By-Laws and is responsible for initiating and nominating International Fellows of the College. The members are:
