Judge Appoints Mediator for Detroit Bankruptcy

Good luck to him. He's going to need it.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes today officially appointed Gerald Rosen, chief district judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, as a mediator in Detroit's bankruptcy case.

The move, which comes two weeks after Rhodes proposed the appointment, positions Rosen as a key player in Detroit's restructuring. A mediator leads negotiations on contentious topics in hopes of helping the sides reach a consensus.

Rosen would have the power to appoint additional mediators to help. The parties involved in the discussions would share the costs of the legal process, according to a court filing.