--- title: "Michael A. Fagone | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-a-fagone-8836" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Michael A. Fagone U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maine · U.S. Bankruptcy Judge ## Profile - Court: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maine - State: Maine - Role: U.S. Bankruptcy Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court, D. Maine, 2015-present - Federal bankruptcy judge for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maine, appointed in 2015 and serving until 2029 - Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit - Bankruptcy Appellate Panel, from 2016-04-22 - He became a Maine bankruptcy judge in April 2015 and joined the First Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel in April 2016 - His background in law and prior legal practice informs his approach to complex financial and debtor‐creditor matters ### Education - Amherst College — B.A. (1993) ### Additional information - A federal court release announces a four-year BAP chief judgeship beginning September 9, 2025, succeeding Diane Finkle - He clerked for Maine Supreme Judicial Court justices Leigh Saufley and Robert Clifford, then practiced business restructuring and insolvency at Bernstein Shur in 1998–2000 and 2001–2015 - J.D. — Univ. of Maine at Orono — 1997 - Maine Law JD, summa cum laude, 1997 - Practitioner, Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson - ABI lists board service with its organization, the Cleaves law library and Dyer Library/Saco Museum, CARE credit education volunteering and Maine Law Duberstein moot court coaching/evaluation - He represented bankruptcy and out-of-court restructuring clients, earned business bankruptcy board certification and received Best Lawyers and Chambers recognition ## 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/8836/michael-a-fagone/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8836/michael-a-fagone/) - [U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maine current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8836/michael-a-fagone/) - [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8836/michael-a-fagone/) - [Press Release - Bankruptcy Judge Michael A. Fagone Appointed Chief ...](https://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/news/press-release-bankruptcy-judge-michael-fagone-appointed-chief-judge-bankruptcy-appellate-panel) - [Judge Michael A. Fagone | District of Maine](https://www.meb.uscourts.gov/content/judge-michael-fagone) - [BR/MAG Judge Database: Michael A. Fagone](https://legaldatalab.law.virginia.edu/brmag-judges/brmag-judges.json) - [insolvencyondemand.com](https://insolvencyondemand.com/speakers/hon-michael-fagone) - [www.prb.uscourts.gov](https://www.prb.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/sites/default/files/docs/notices/Judge%20Fagone%20BAP%20Chief%20Press%20Release%20Final.pdf) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8836/michael-a-fagone/) - [Press Release - Bankruptcy Judge Michael A. Fagone Appointed Chief ...](https://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/news/press-release-bankruptcy-judge-michael-fagone-appointed-chief-judge-bankruptcy-appellate-panel) - [Judge Michael A. Fagone | District of Maine](https://www.meb.uscourts.gov/content/judge-michael-fagone) - [BR/MAG Judge Database: Michael A. Fagone](https://legaldatalab.law.virginia.edu/brmag-judges/brmag-judges.json) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-a-fagone-8836", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-a-fagone-8836", "name": "Michael A. Fagone | KnowJudges", "description": "Michael A. Fagone, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maine. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-10-07", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-a-fagone-8836#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-a-fagone-8836#judge", "name": "Michael A. 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