It is Common Law in the Legal Community that a Federally Appointed Bankruptcy Trustee is a Public Figure, yet Judge Marco Hernandez Deliberately RULED that Federally Appointed Bankruptcy Trustee Kevin D. Padrick Was NOT a Public Figure. This to Protect Portland Oregon Attorneys, Law Firms and Judge Michael Simon.

"Over the years, the Barton Doctrine was expanded beyond receiverships to include bankruptcy trustees, as they are the statutory successors to the equity receiver. 

It is well recognized that bankruptcy trustees are officers of the appointing court and are entitled to quasi-judicial immunity. The lengthy subject of immunity is beyond the scope of this article. 

However, a good discussion can be found at In re Castillo, 297 F.3d 940 (9th Cir. 2002)."

Source

http://www.abiworld.org/committees/newsletters/litigation/vol2num2/Gatekeeper.html