By JAMES FINK
jfink@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1611

With one of the three U.S. Bankruptcy Court judges in the Western District of New York set to retire this year, the federal government has started the process of replacing Judge John Ninfo II.

Ninfo, 64, announced his retirement plans earlier this year. He turns 65 in November and plans on leaving the bankruptcy court bench in late December.

Ninfo, who is based out of Rochester, oversees bankruptcy cases in nine counties including Monroe, Ontario, Chemung and Livingstone. His replacement will work out of the federal courthouse in downtown Rochester.

The 2nd Circuit Judical Council has started the replacement process by inviting potential candidates to send resumes and applications to its New York City offices.

The selection process will be confidential and is expected to be competitive.

Applicants must be admitted to practice law in the highest court of at least one state or the District of Columbia or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Additionally, they must have at least five years of legal practice experience and have a membership in "good standing" in every bar association in which they are involved.

The bankruptcy court appointment is for 14 years and has a salary of $160,080.

Applications are due by noon, April 15.

Ninfo was appointed to Rochester's bankruptcy court in 1992 and reappointed in 2004.

The Western District of New York includes Western New York and Rochester.

Judges Carl Bucki and Michael Kaplan serve on the Buffalo bench; Bucki is the Western District's chief judge.

Applications and information are available at www.ca2.uscourts.gov or by calling 212-857-8700.