Our History

Celebrating 100 Years

Founded in 1926 as the National Association of Referees in Bankruptcy, what is now called the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges is approaching its 100th anniversary with projects that reflect on the NCBJ’s legacy of service to the bankruptcy community and its profound contributions to the development of bankruptcy laws.

To mark its 100th anniversary, the NCBJ is developing projects to illustrate the evolution of the organization in the context of its times, reflecting on the legal and societal changes that have occurred over that time. These projects include the gathering and organization of source materials, including oral histories, that highlight the history of a century of change that has dramatically affected – and been affected by – innumerable economic, cultural, and legal forces, and by the bankruptcy laws, their impact on the growth of the United States, and the significant role that the NCBJ has played in that history.

As we get closer to our 2026 celebration, you will have the opportunity to revisit this page time and again and enjoy a variety of historical “treasures” that we uncover over the next year, and beyond.

History Poster Series