U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of California
17 judges profiled from their own signed orders: how each rules on motions, with the orders quoted. Court-wide standing orders ↓
Fredrick E. ClementRetired
Bankruptcy judge, appointed by Merit selection
Brett J. DorianRetired
Bankruptcy judge
Loren S. DahlDeceased
Bankruptcy judge
Ronald H. SargisRetired 2025
Bankruptcy judge, appointed by Merit selection
W. Richard LeeRetired 2015
Bankruptcy judge, appointed by Merit selection
David E. RussellDeceased
Bankruptcy judge, appointed by Merit selection
Christopher M. Klein
Bankruptcy judge, appointed by Merit selection
Richard T. FordDeceased
Bankruptcy judge, appointed by Merit selection
Robert S. BardwilDeceased
Bankruptcy judge, appointed by Merit selection
Michael S. McManusRetired 2019
Bankruptcy judge, appointed by Merit selection
Thomas C. HolmanRetired 2015
Bankruptcy judge, appointed by Merit selection
Whitney RimelRetired 2012
Bankruptcy judge, appointed by Merit selection
Jane Dickson McKeagRetired
Bankruptcy judge
Robert E. WoodwardDeceased
Bankruptcy judge, appointed by President John F. Kennedy (Democratic)
Christopher D. Jaime
Bankruptcy judge, appointed by Merit selection
René Lastreto II
Bankruptcy judge, appointed by Merit selection
Jennifer E. Niemann
Bankruptcy judge, appointed by Merit selection
Standing orders for every case in this court
Orders the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of California applies to all of its cases, whichever judge has them, as published on the court's website (checked October 10, 2026). Courts revise these, so confirm the current version before you file. The court's local rules ↗
- General Order 26-04 — Procedures for Access and Management of Sealed Documents ↗
- General Order 23-06 — Guidelines Pertaining to Bankruptcy Petition Preparers ↗
Filing
The court’s presumptive cap for a bankruptcy petition preparer’s typing and filing fee is $200, including expenses.
“The fee paid by the debtor to a bankruptcy petition preparer for typing and filing a bankruptcy petition may not exceed $200.00, including expenses”
Filing
A bankruptcy petition preparer must provide the court guidelines and Official Form 119 before preparing the first filing or accepting payment.
“Before preparing a bankruptcy petition or first document for filing, or accepting any money from or on behalf of the debtor, a bankruptcy petition preparer shall provide a copy of these Guidelines to the debtor, together with a copy of the Bankruptcy Petition Preparer’s Notice, Declaration, and Signature (Official Form 119).”
Sealing
File sealed documents through the court’s e-Filing system; they cannot be viewed electronically afterward.
“Sealed documents will continue to be filed through the CAEB e-Filing system under existing procedures, but will no longer be accessible or viewable by electronic means;”
Sealing
Serve sealed documents by a means other than CM/ECF when service is required.
“Parties will have to serve sealed documents by other appropriate means as provided by the Federal Rules of Procedure.”
Sealing
Request a paper copy from the clerk if entitled to access a sealed document.
“a party with the right to access a sealed document in a case who requires a copy of a sealed document will have to contact the clerk’s office to request a paper copy.”