Chief Judge Sandra L. Lynch of the United States Court of Appeals for the
First Circuit announced today that attorney Edward A. Godoy has been selected to
fill the vacancy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of
Puerto Rico, assuming successful completion of a background investigation,
including FBI clearance. He will sit in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
Mr. Godoy is a graduate of the Columbia Law School, receiving his J.D. degree
in 1981. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics and finance from
the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and also has taken several
postgraduate legal courses. Mr. Godoy is a Trial Attorney at the
Department of Justice, Office of the United States Trustee, in San Juan, Puerto
Rico, where he has practiced for the past ten years. Before joining the
Department of Justice, he practiced for 15 years at the firm of Feldstein, Gelpi
& Gotay, specializing in federal litigation, professional liability, real
estate, insurance, and product liability law. He has extensive experience
handling bankruptcy fraud abuse, product liability, commercial, and civil rights
cases.
Chief Judge Lynch stated that "the Court is very pleased
that a candidate with Mr. Godoy's experience, expertise, and temperament will
serve as the next Bankruptcy Judge in Ponce, Puerto Rico. In this economy
the bankruptcy court has become even more important to the lives of
people. We believe Mr. Godoy will fill the position with distinction."
Chief Judge Lynch also expressed her sincere gratitude to Bankruptcy Judge
Sara De Jesús, who will retire in August, for her many years of dedicated
service to the judiciary. Finally, Chief Judge Lynch acknowledged the
members of the Bankruptcy Merit Selection Panel, which was ably chaired by
Circuit Judge Juan R. Torruella. The members of the Panel were: Charles
Cuprill, Esq., San Juan, PR; John García, Esq., San Juan, PR; Lolita Semidey,
Esq., San Juan, PR; Edgardo Muñoz, Esq., San Juan, PR; Wigberto Lugo, Esq.,
Guaynabo, PR; Steven C. Lausell, Esq., San Juan, PR; and Gary Wente, Circuit
Executive, Boston, MA.