The Justice Department on Thursday announced that Attorney General Todd Blanche has selected Stephen V. Falanga to be Director of the U.S. Trustee Program, effective Nov. 2.

The U.S. Trustee Program is the Justice Department component that works to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system. According to the department, its mission is to benefit debtors, creditors and the public. The program has 21 regions with 82 field offices nationwide and an Executive Office in Washington, D.C.

Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. said in the announcement that Congress created the program to help ensure Americans are free from fraud and abuse in the federal bankruptcy system. He said Falanga’s leadership “will ensure the program operates according to its statutory commands.” Woodward also said the program is aimed at rooting out bad actors who seek to exploit federal programs for their own gain.

Falanga is currently a partner at Walsh Pizzi O’Reilly Falanga LLP, a New Jersey-based law firm. There he leads the banking and financial services practice group and the bankruptcy, reorganization and creditors’ rights practice group.

According to the Justice Department, Falanga has more than 30 years of experience representing financial institutions, corporations, insurers, real estate developers, landlords and individuals in financial services matters. That work includes significant involvement in all aspects of insolvency law, which covers cases where people or companies cannot pay their debts.

The department said Falanga has represented both debtors and creditors in bankruptcy. He has also served as a chapter 11 trustee in several corporate reorganization cases, managing the debtors’ affairs. Chapter 11 is the part of bankruptcy law used for business reorganizations.

The announcement also lists his public service. He has served on the Supreme Court of New Jersey’s Committee on the Unauthorized Practice of Law and on the board of trustees of ARC of Essex County Inc., a nonprofit serving people with intellectual disabilities.

Falanga earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Saint Peter’s University, a law degree from Boston College, and a Master of Legal Letters degree from Fordham University, the department said.

The announcement did not say who Falanga will replace or whether the position requires any further approval.