Bankruptcy Judge Lorch stepping down (again) after 27 years

Retiring Judge Basil H. Lorch III of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana will be honored in a private ceremony Friday for his 27 years of service in the federal judiciary.

Lorch was first appointed on April 14, 1992 to a 14-year term as a bankruptcy judge for the New Albany division of Southern Indiana District. He was then reappointed to a second firm April 14, 2006. Although he retired Jan. 2, 2017, he requested a recall  to active service. His recall service will end July 31.

Chief Bankruptcy Judge Robyn Moberly noted most of the bankruptcy lawyers practicing in New Albany and Evansville divisions of the Southern Indiana Bankruptcy Court have never known any bankruptcy judge except Lorch. In fact, many of the attorneys either clerked for or were mentored by him.

“The culture of the bar in southern Indiana reflects his dedication, professionalism and civility,” Moberly said of Lorch. “He brought his expertise in the law to some of the largest and most complex bankruptcies in our Court over the past 27 years. Judge Lorch has devoted his professional life to the betterment of his community and to the highest standards of the legal profession. The judges and lawyers in the bankruptcy community will miss him.”

Former Lawrence Circuit Judge Andrea McCord was appointed in May to succeed Lorch in the federal bankruptcy court.

Lorch graduated from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 1974 where he was awarded the Order of the Coif.

Prior to his appointment to the bench, Lorch focused his practice on bankruptcy in southern Indiana and was a Chapter 7 panel trustee from 1978 to 1991. He served as Chief Bankruptcy Judge for the Southern Indiana District from 2003 to 2010 and was a visiting judge in various jurisdictions, including Chicago, Miami, and Louisville.

Lorch, who is a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, returned to IU Maurer for several years as an adjunct professor, teaching a basic bankruptcy class as well as an advanced bankruptcy seminar focusing on Chapter 11.

He served as bankruptcy judge representative on the Judicial Council of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals and he also served on the board of governors and as treasurer for the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges.