Deborah J. Saltzman
How Judge Saltzman rules, drawn from 11 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
About Judge Saltzman
Deborah J. Saltzman has served as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Central District of California since March 2010 and was reappointed in 2024. Before joining the bench, she practiced corporate restructuring law in Los Angeles. She has served in several divisions of the court, including Riverside and Los Angeles.
Judge Saltzman's practices and standing orders
Rules for cases before Judge Saltzman, 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.
- Status Conference Procedures ↗
- Trial Procedures Supplement to Local Rules ↗
- Telephonic Appearance Procedures ↗
Key rules
Conferences
Trial counsel must appear at the initial adversary proceeding status conference.
“Counsel appearing at the initial status conference must be trial counsel.”
Conferences
File a status report 14 days before each adversary proceeding status conference.
“A thorough status report must be filed 14 days before each status conference.”
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).
How Judge Saltzman decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
A claim to tax priority requires a discrete transaction that gives rise to the charge, rather than a recurring fee based on continuing operations.
“that the QA Fees are an excise tax on a transaction. DHS’s claim is not entitled to priority”
In the Hertz sale dispute, she denied rejection of a sale contract because a hoped-for higher price did not justify risking creditor recoveries.
“While the Debtors doubtless would like a more secure and comfortable retirement, the court cannot risk creditors’ recoveries and allow the Debtors to gamble for a windfall for themselves based only on the hope that the Property will sell more quickly and at a much higher price than just a year ago.”
Procedural preferences
Every appearance must be registered by noon on the day before the hearing.
“All appearances – whether in person, with video, or by phone – at hearings before Judge Saltzman must be registered in advance no later than 12:00 noon the day before the hearing”
Paper judge's copies are unnecessary unless chambers specifically asks for one.
“No judge’s copy of any document is required unless a copy is requested by chambers”
Cautions
Saltzman’s published hearing instructions require attendees to register before the hearing and state that unregistered attendees cannot attend.
“IF YOU DO NOT REGISTER, YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO ATTEND THE HEARING”
Emergency-relief filings are the exception to the court's general rule that no call to chambers is required after filing.
“does not require a call to chambers to advise that a document was filed unless it seeks emergency relief”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“the court will not vacate the chapter 7 discharge or enter”
“DHS’s claim is not entitled to priority”
“For the foregoing reasons, the Motion is DENIED.”
“the Objection is SUSTAINED”
“Debtor's second amended homestead exemption are OVERRULED”
“The Motion is granted.”
“denial of Defendant’s discharge under sections 727(a)(2) and (a)(4)(A).”
“nondischargeable under section 523(a)(6).”
“Sinomax’s Motion is denied.”
“The court does not address the request to dismiss this case but grants the request to abstain from hearing this proceeding pending resolution of the pending Nevada State Court Litigation, as discussed below.”
“The Debtor’s Motion is denied.”
“The Motion will be granted as to the property of the estate and turnover claims”
“Defendant’s cross-motion for summary adjudication is denied.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
The seven terminated sampled adversaries lasted 76 to 453 days, with a median of 153 days. One sampled adversary remained pending. The sample is useful for procedural timing but does not describe the full caseload.
Draft for Judge Saltzman with the record in hand
Ezel grounds your drafting and research in this profile: what has persuaded Judge Saltzman, and what has not, cited to the signed orders.
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