--- title: "Diane Finkle | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/diane-finkle-8948" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-09" --- # Diane Finkle U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Rhode Island · U.S. Bankruptcy Judge ## Profile - Court: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Rhode Island - State: Rhode Island - Role: U.S. Bankruptcy Judge - Service status: recalled - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, District of Rhode Island (September 6, 2012–September 8, 2025); subsequently recalled for service - Judge, First Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel (from September 7, 2013) - Attorney, Winograd Shine Land & Finkle (1982–2012), concentrating in bankruptcy and receivership matters - Law clerk to Justice Thomas F. Kelleher, Rhode Island Supreme Court (1981) ### Education - George Washington University School of Law — J.D. (1981) - University of Rhode Island — B.A. ### Additional information - Recognized by Best Lawyers since 2007 and by Super Lawyers for bankruptcy and insolvency practice. - Received the Partners in Philanthropy Award from the Rhode Island chapter of the Association of Professional Fund Raisers (2008). - Her bankruptcy and receivership practice included Chapter 11 matters and representation of debtors, secured creditors, creditors’ committees, and bankruptcy trustees. - Member of the American Bankruptcy Institute, Rhode Island Bar Association, Massachusetts Bar, Rhode Island Women’s Bar Association, and Turnaround Management Association. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### motion form Scope: courtwide Request an order by written motion unless the rules authorize an application or the request is made during a hearing. State the grounds with particularity and specify the requested relief or order. Evidence excerpt: A motion must state its grounds with particularity and set forth the relief or order requested. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### motion notice timing Scope: courtwide Unless a motion may be heard ex parte or another period applies, serve the written motion and hearing notice at least seven days before the hearing. Serve supporting affidavits with the motion. Evidence excerpt: A written motion (other than one that may be heard ex parte) and notice of any hearing must be served at least 7 days before the hearing date, unless the court or these rules set a different period. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### contested matter notice Scope: courtwide In a contested matter not otherwise governed by the bankruptcy rules, request relief by motion and give the opposing party reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard. A response is required only if the court orders one. Evidence excerpt: Reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard must be given to the party against whom relief is sought. No response is required unless the court orders otherwise. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### disputed fact testimony Scope: courtwide Present witness testimony on a disputed material factual issue in the same manner as testimony in an adversary proceeding. Evidence excerpt: A witness's testimony on a disputed material factual issue must be taken in the same manner as testimony in an adversary proceeding. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### evidentiary hearing notice Scope: courtwide Use the court's procedure to determine, reasonably before a scheduled hearing, whether it will be an evidentiary hearing at which witnesses may testify. Evidence excerpt: The court must provide procedures that allow parties-at a reasonable time before a scheduled hearing-to determine whether it will be an evidentiary hearing at which witnesses may testify. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### evidence rules Scope: courtwide Prepare evidence under the Federal Rules of Evidence and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 43, 44, and 44.1, which apply in bankruptcy cases. Evidence excerpt: The Federal Rules of Evidence and Fed. R. Civ. P. 43, 44, and 44.1 apply in a bankruptcy case. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### oath or affirmation Scope: courtwide A solemn affirmation may substitute when an oath is required. The national rule identifies the bankruptcy judge, clerk, deputy clerk, U.S. trustee, and other authorized officers as persons who may administer it. Evidence excerpt: If an oath is required, a solemn affirmation suffices. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8948/diane-finkle/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8948/diane-finkle/) - [U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Rhode Island current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8948/diane-finkle/) - [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) - [Current Judges Serving the Court section explicitly identifies DianeFinkle as retired and recalled, assigned to RhodeIsland.](https://www.rib.uscourts.gov/us-bankruptcy-court-district-rhode-island) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8948/diane-finkle/) - [Diane Finkle - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Diane_Finkle) - [BR/MAG Judge Database: Diane Finkle](https://legaldatalab.law.virginia.edu/brmag-judges/brmag-judges.json) - [Bankruptcy Judge Diane Finkle Appointed Chief Judge of the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel - U.S. Appeals Court, First Circuit Press release | LegiStorm](https://www.legistorm.com/stormfeed/view_rss/3875170/organization/96012/title/bankruptcy-judge-diane-finkle-appointed-chief-judge-of-the-bankruptcy-appellate-panel.html) - [Official retired judge biography](https://www.rib.uscourts.gov/judge-diane-finkle-ret) - [Official judges serving the bankruptcy court](https://www.rib.uscourts.gov/us-bankruptcy-court-district-rhode-island) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8948/diane-finkle/) - [Diane Finkle - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Diane_Finkle) - [BR/MAG Judge Database: Diane Finkle](https://legaldatalab.law.virginia.edu/brmag-judges/brmag-judges.json) - [Bankruptcy Judge Diane Finkle Appointed Chief Judge of the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel - U.S. Appeals Court, First Circuit Press release | LegiStorm](https://www.legistorm.com/stormfeed/view_rss/3875170/organization/96012/title/bankruptcy-judge-diane-finkle-appointed-chief-judge-of-the-bankruptcy-appellate-panel.html) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/diane-finkle-8948", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/diane-finkle-8948", "name": "Diane Finkle | KnowJudges", "description": "Diane Finkle, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Rhode Island. 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Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.