In re Sedgwick

ORDER AFFIRMING THE BANKRUPTCY COURT’S ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR AUTHORITY TO MAINTAIN ARBITRATION UNDER BARTON DOCTRINE

This matter is on appeal from the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California (the “Appeal”). Appellant-Debtor Steve Sedgwick appeals the Bankruptcy Court’s order denying Appellant-Debtor’s Motion for Authority to Maintain Arbitration Under Barton Doctrine 1 (the “Barton Motion Order”). The Court has appellate jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 158 (a)(1). 2 After reading and considering the papers filed in connection with this Appeal, and for the reasons discussed below, the Court AFFIRMS the bankruptcy court’s denial of Appellant-Debtor’s Motion for Authority to Maintain Arbitration Under Barton Doctrine.

1. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

On July 8, 2012, Appellant-Debtor Steve Sedgwick (“Appellant”) filed a voluntary petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the Central District of California. (1 AA 7.) 3 In March 2013, Appellant substituted Shul-man, Hodges & Bastían LLP, including Leonard Shulman and Mark Bradshaw, (collectively, “Appellees”) as his bankruptcy counsel. (Appellant’s Opening Br. (“AOB”) Ex. 8.) The terms of…