BlockFi Inc., 22-19361 (MBK)
This website provides up-to-date procedural and logistical information regarding the BlockFi Inc. case. Please refer to this website before contacting Chambers.
Click the following links for more information:
- Hearing Dates - for a list of our upcoming hearing dates and times
- BlockFi Client Questions - for how BlockFi clients can get information and answers to questions
- Case and Docket Information - for access to the BlockFi bankruptcy docket and case information
- Transcripts - for information on how to order transcripts
- Appearances - for information on how to make appearances (both in-person and virtually via Zoom), as well as information regarding pro hac vice applications
- Courthouse Protocol - for information regarding requirments to visit the Courthouse pursuant to the latest District Court Standing Order
- Media Inquiries - for the Court's established email address for media inquiries
- Zoom - for information regarding live-feed of Court proceedings via Zoom
Unless noted otherwise, all hearings will be conducted live and via Zoom.
Thursday, Novmber 7, 2024 at 11:30am
Wind-Down Debtors’ Motion for Entry of an Order to Show Cause Why George Gerro Should Not Be Found in Contempt and for Sanctions and in the Alternative, Motion to Enforce the Confirmation Order - Docket #2412
The Debtor, BlockFi Inc., has established an email address devoted to answering questions and providing information to BlockFi clients. To the extent you have questions about your assets (including questions about transfers, BIAs, your BlockFi account or wallet), please submit your inquiry via email to: BlockFiInfo@ra.kroll.com
BLOCKFI DOCKET AND CASE INFORMATION
Use the following link to access the BlockFi bankruptcy docket and find information about the case.
https://restructuring.ra.kroll.com/blockfi/
To order a transcript of a court proceeding, please contact the Electronic Court Recording Operator for Judge Kaplan:
Bruce Jackson
Bruce_jackson@njb.uscourts.gov
609-858-9383
Unless otherwise instructed, appearances may be made in-person, consistent with Court protocol, or virtually via Zoom. Please be advised that appearances need only be made if parties intend to present argument and/or speak during hearings.
To the extent parties wish to simply observe, the Court will provide dial-in information for telephonic observational purposes only. Please find more information as well as the dial-in information for the Zoom live-feed for an upcoming hearing at the bottom of this webpage.
In-Person Appearances
Judge Kaplan's Courtroom is located on the second floor in Courtroom 8. Appearance sheets are available in the hallway outside of the Courtroom and should be handed to the Electronic Court Recording Operator prior to the start of the hearing.
Remote/Virtual Appearances
To the extent parties wish to present argument remotely via Zoom, a request for "Presenter Status" must be submitted to the Court in advance of the hearing. Please email Chambers (chambers_of_mbk@njb.uscourts.gov) and provide the following information: Name of Presenter, Email Address of Presenter, Presenter's Affiliation with the Case and/or What Party or Interest the Presenter Represents. If the request is approved, the Presenter will receive appropriate Zoom credentials and further instruction via email.
PLEASE REVIEW THE ZOOM APPEARANCE GUIDELINES BELOW. Failure to adhere to these guidelines and an appropriate standard of conduct may result in denial of participation in the Zoom proceeding.
Zoom is a free video conferencing platform that a party may download and become familiar with prior to the hearing. Information for Zoom may be found at https://zoom.us/ and https://zoomgov.com/. Please ensure that your computer/device settings allow for video and microphone access so that Judge Kaplan may hear and see you. To appear via Zoom parties may click on the Zoom link below or use a telephone to dial-in using the dial-in information. Once connected to Zoom the party will enter the virtual Zoom Courtroom. Please connect to Zoom at least 15 minutes prior to your hearing.
ZOOM APPEARANCE GUIDELINES
Courtroom behavior. Although held remotely, a Zoom hearing or trial is a judicial proceeding and therefore the formalities of a courtroom must be observed. Parties are expected to conduct themselves in the same way that they would if they were in person in the courtroom. This includes appropriate formality and attire.
“Public Proceedings.” Please be reminded that the Zoom proceeding is a “public proceeding” and the Zoom connection information is publicly available on the Court’s website. Thus, any party interested may “listen in” to the Zoom proceeding. Parties who “listen in” must have their cameras off and their microphones muted at all times. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in removal from the Zoom proceeding.
Video/audio. All video and audio will be off upon entry into the Zoom courtroom. The Court requests that each party remain muted with camera off until such time as their matter is called or until the Court directs otherwise. The Court prefers that parties appear with their video on; however, video is not mandatory. If necessary, parties may appear without video and/or may appear telephonically by dialing into the Zoom using the dial-in information. Links to the Zoom meeting and dial-in information can be found below.
Speaking and Questions. Each time you speak, identify yourself by stating your full name for the record. Remember to speak slowly and distinctly. Do not interrupt others. As stated above, please remain muted until your case is called or directed otherwise by the Court. Should you have a question during the Zoom proceeding you may direct that question in the “Chat” or “raise your hand” by clicking the hand raise button. Questions may also be submitted via email to Chief Judge Kaplan’s Chambers at chambers_of_mbk@njb.uscourts.gov. If you are participating telephonically, please wait for a pause in conversation before identifying yourself to ask a question.
Participate from a quiet place with reliable reception. Do not use a speaker phone or call/log in from a public place. Disruptions or background noise may cause the Judge to mute you or terminate your participation.
Technical Problems. If you are having trouble with the video or audio or other technical difficulties, please let the Court know as soon as possible. Though glitches are expected, they do not always occur on the Court’s end, so the Court will not necessarily know if you are experiencing problems until you so advise the Court. To report these problems you may use the “chat” feature, the “raise hand” feature, email Chambers at chambers_of_mbk@njb.uscourts.gov, or call Chambers at (609) 858-9360.
Pro Hac Vice Applications
Attorneys should file pro hac vice motions in New Jersey only if they intend to make an appearance on the record. To the extent an attorney plans to simply attend/observe (and not officially “make an appearance” or present argument), no pro hac vice motion is necessary. Please consult: New Jersey Court Rule 1:28-2, D.N.J. L.Civ. R. 101.1 and D.N.J. L.Civ. R. 101(c)(3).
In response to the rapidly developing facts, preparedness planning and response guidance concerning COVID-19, please take note of District Court Standing Order 2022-01, which adopts specific requirements for all persons (with limited exception) seeking entry into any U.S. Courthouse in the District of New Jersey. The Standing Order is available here: https://www.njd.uscourts.gov/covid-19-orders-procedures-and-changes. Consult the District Court's website (https://www.njd.uscourts.gov/) for additional information.
Except as otherwise provided, the wearing of face coverings or masks is now optional, and is no longer required, of persons seeking entry to or occupying the public areas of Court facilities within the District of New Jersey, and further, social distancing is no long required of such persons because employees are fully vaccinated and boosted, and visitors are allowed entry to Court facilities only upon proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, pursuant to Standing Order 2021-08.
Although masks are not required, all persons are permitted and encouraged to wear a face covering or a mask if they so choose. Visitors may be subject to thermal temperature scanning.
Please submit media inquiries via email to the following address: media_inquiries@njb.uscourts.gov
IMPORTANT: Hearing Recording Prohibited
Any recording of a court proceeding held by video or teleconference, including "screen-shots" or other audio or visual copying of a hearing, is prohibited. Violation of these prohibitions may result in sanctions, including removal of court-issued media credentials, restricted entry to future hearings, denial of entry to future hearings, or any other sanctions deemed necessary by the Court.
In accordance with policy issued by the Administrative Office of the Courts, the public may observe the hearing telephonically using the following information:
Dial-in information for upcoming hearings will be posted prior to the next hearing date.
***NOTE: The Zoom link for observational purposes will no longer be posted on the Court's website. Counsel or Court staff who wishes to simply observe may either: (1) observe telephonically using the dial-in information above; or, (2) to the extent they wish observe with video, request panelist status from the Court (and be approved), taking care to keep their microphone muted and camera off during the entirety of the hearing(s). Information as to how and when to request panelist status is made available on the docket, on an as-needed basis.