“I’ve been shocked by the attention the issue as far as my mediating cases that are before me has gotten because in my view it’s just a label,” US Bankruptcy Judge Michael Kaplan said, addressing the scrutiny surrounding his role as a mediator in cases pending before him. Bankruptcy judges “have always brought parties into chambers in an effort to settle matters when it’s consensual.” In a conversation with Bloomberg Intelligence’s Negisa Balluku at the Beard Group’s Distressed Investing Media Night on May 19, Judge Kaplan framed bankruptcy judges as trial-level problem solvers, discussed his Multi-Color venue opinion, and raised concerns about the speed and cost of Chapter 11, as well as the weakening effect that liability management exercises can have on future debtors.