Paul Sala
How Judge Sala rules, drawn from 1 signed order. Every observation links to the order it came from.
About Judge Sala
Paul Sala has served as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the District of Arizona since July 2014. The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit appointed him. He earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Utah.
Judge Sala's practices and standing orders
Rules for cases before Judge Sala, as published on the court's website (checked October 10, 2026). Judges revise these often, so confirm the current version on the court's site before you file.
Key rules
Motions
Set a motion to extend Chapter 11 plan exclusivity for a hearing; Judge Sala denies motions using a negative-notice procedure.
“Effective immediately, any Motion to Extend Plan Exclusivity pursuant to 11 USC § 1121 (d) must be set for hearing pursuant to the Court's procedures as set forth below. Motions filed utilizing a negative/bar date procedure will be denied.”
Trial
Counsel and witnesses must appear in person for trials and evidentiary hearings unless the court expressly approves telephonic appearances.
“Trials and Evidentiary Hearings (all counsel and witnesses must appear in person unless the court has expressly approved telephonic appearances)”
Standing orders for every case in this court
Orders the court applies to all of its cases, whichever judge has them, as published on the court's website (checked October 10, 2026).
- General Order 26-3: Procedures for Access and Management of Sealed Documents ↗
- General Order 26-1: Chapter 7 Attorney Requirements ↗
- General Order 25-1: Prohibition of Covert Recording Devices in Bankruptcy Courts ↗
- General Order 23-3: Procedure for the Redaction of Personal Identifiers ↗
- General Order 23-2: Mortgage Modification Mediation Program for Individual Bankruptcy Cases ↗
How Judge Sala decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
When unresolved state-law questions may control the case, Sala may certify the questions rather than decide them without controlling state precedent.
“Neither party was able to cite the Court to Arizona precedential authority on the direct questions raised in the Motion for Summary Judgment – namely, whether Patel, as a member or manager of SHHP, owed common law fiduciary duties to SHHP?”
Procedural preferences
A motion to extend Chapter 11 plan exclusivity must be set for hearing; Sala will deny one presented through a negative-notice procedure.
“Motions filed utilizing a negative/bar date procedure will be denied.”
Documents must be filed through the court's filing system or with the clerk rather than sent directly to chambers.
“THE COURT DOES NOT ACCEPT FOR FILING DOCUMENTS SENT DIRECTLY TO CHAMBERS VIA EITHER FAX OR E-MAIL.”
Trial continuances require a showing of cause and are not routinely encouraged.
“A continuance of a trial is not encouraged. Cause must be shown.”
Cautions
For preliminary stay-relief hearings, parties should file the required declarations because omission can lead to a summary ruling.
“FAILURE TO FILE DECLARATIONS MAY AFFECT THE COURT’S RULING ON THIS MATTER EITHER SUMMARILY GRANTING OR DENYING THE RELIEF REQUESTED.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
Sala asked the Arizona Supreme Court to decide whether managers and members of Arizona limited-liability companies owe common-law fiduciary duties to the company. The order did not resolve the defendant's pending summary-judgment motion.
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
Thirteen terminated sampled matters lasted from 111 to 575 days, with a median of 209 days. The fixed sample is descriptive and is not a complete caseload census.
Draft for Judge Sala with the record in hand
Ezel grounds your drafting and research in this profile: what has persuaded Judge Sala, and what has not, cited to the signed orders.
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