In Re Sterling Die Casting Co., Inc.
This case involves an appeal by Local 365 United Auto Workers Welfare and Pension Fund (the Fund) against Sterling Die Casting Company regarding the avoidance of a judgment lien under 11 U.S.C. § 547(b)(l)(4). The central issue is whether New York State practice regarding the docketing of judgments discriminates against federal court judgments. The Fund argued that its lien was created on the date of judgment in federal court, while Sterling contended it was created upon docketing with the county clerk, which fell within the 90-day preference period before its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. The District Court affirmed the Bankruptcy Judge's decision, holding that New York's C.P.L.R. 5018(b) does not discriminate and that a lien is established only upon filing a transcript with the county clerk, serving the practical need for centralized record-keeping.