Stephen L. Johnson
How Judge Johnson rules, drawn from 10 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
About Judge Johnson
Stephen L. Johnson has served as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of California since October 2010 and is the court’s chief judge. Before joining the bench, he worked in private practice and for the United States Department of Justice. He earned degrees from the University of San Francisco and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
Judge Johnson's practices and standing orders
Rules for cases before Judge Johnson, 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
Contacting chambers
Do not contact Judge Johnson or chambers staff directly.
“Parties and counsel should not contact the Court or chambers staff directly.”
Motions
File an adversary complaint before asking to calendar a temporary restraining order.
“Requests for temporary restraining orders will only be calendared after an adversary complaint has been filed.”
Discovery
Bring discovery disputes to a telephonic conference instead of filing a formal discovery motion.
“The parties shall not file formal discovery motions. The Court will hold a telephonic conference to resolve a discovery dispute in lieu of formal motions to compel or quash discovery.”
Conferences
File adversary case management conference statements at least seven days before the conference.
“case management conference statements must be filed at least 7 days before each 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 Johnson decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Plan confirmation requires evidence that discretionary expenses are necessary and that unsecured creditors are treated equitably.
“Debtors did not carry their burden to show that these fees are permissible deductions under Other Expenses.”
Procedural preferences
In re Howard, Johnson treated exclusion of omitted mortgage charges and a later motion to determine the account current as separate steps, declining to deem the mortgage current in that order.
“Reading Rule 3002.1 as whole and giving effect to every subpart, deeming a mortgage current under the circumstances here involves a two-step process.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“the Objection of American Express to the confirmation *412of Debtor’s Second Amended Plan is SUSTAINED.”
“The First Response, Second Response, and Third Response are stricken for failure to comply with Bankruptcy Rule 3002.1(g).”
“Debtor is awarded attorney’s fees and costs.”
“Debtor’s request to deem the mortgage current is denied without prejudice”
“Because the additional provisions are inconsistent with the plan in use in the remainder of the district and are contrary to the Bankruptcy Code4 in application, they cannot be approved.”
“Because I determine that Debtor received adequate notice and find cause to dismiss the case, I GRANT the motion to dismiss.”
“this court awards Plaintiffs default judgment consistent with the”
“debt to Plaintiff and of her debts in general. Judgment will be entered in favor of Defendant.”
“The Court grants Defendant’s motion to dismiss Plaintiffs’ First Amended Complaint with”
“$8,761.85 for the purposes of § 506(a)(2).”
“Debtor Joanna Gonda’s Claim Objection is sustained.”
Draft for Judge Johnson with the record in hand
Ezel grounds your drafting and research in this profile: what has persuaded Judge Johnson, and what has not, cited to the signed orders.
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