William J. Lafferty III
How Judge Lafferty rules, drawn from 24 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
About Judge Lafferty
William J. Lafferty III has served as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of California since April 2011. Before joining the bench, he practiced law at Howard Rice Nemerovski Canady Falk & Rabkin. He earned degrees from the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
Judge Lafferty's practices and standing orders
Rules for cases before Judge Lafferty, 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.
- Judge Lafferty's Open Calendar Procedure ↗
- Judge Lafferty’s Procedures for Noticing and Conducting Hearings ↗
Key rules
Filing
Provide chambers copies only for summary judgment motions and pleadings supporting or opposing Chapter 11 plan confirmation.
“Chambers copies are only required for Motions for Summary Judgment and pleadings in support or opposition of Chapter 11 Plan Confirmation.”
Motions
An expedited hearing requires an application for an order shortening time before a date is set.
“An application for an order shortening time under B.L.R. 9006-1 is required before a hearing date will be set.”
Conferences
The court sets initial adversary case management conference dates; do not use the open calendar for them.
“Case management conferences in adversary proceedings. The Calendar Clerk will select the date and time for the initial Case Management Conference before issuing the summons.”
Conferences
Non-evidentiary hearings are held in person unless the court orders otherwise.
“Judge Lafferty will conduct all non-evidentiary hearings in-person in the courtroom, unless ordered otherwise.”
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 Lafferty decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In re Aberle, Lafferty declined to give issue-preclusive effect to a state jury’s non-intoxication finding that the plaintiff could not appeal, and denied the defendant’s summary-judgment motion.
“After considering the unique procedural history of this case, the court concludes that Plaintiff should not be precluded from litigating in this court the issue of intoxication.”
Cautions
A sanctions request should be raised promptly and requires more than the fact that the opposing party lost.
“Rule 11 sanctions should not be assessed against a party merely because the party unsuccessfully asserted a claim or a defense.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment is denied.”
“the Quinoneses have established the absence of a genuine issue of material fact with regard to the Boards § 523(a)(4) claim and they are entitled to judgment as a matter of law.”
“this Court finds debts' of $200,000 (August 15,2007), $100,000 (August 27, 2007) and the $100,000 (May 20, 2008) non-dischargeable under 523(a)(2)(A). The facts concerning the $50,000 (December 10, 2007) do not support a determination of non-discharge-ability”
“the Quinoneses’ Counter Motions for Sanctions are DENIED.”
“For all of the foregoing reasons, the Debtor's Objection is overruled.”
“Debtor has not presently satisfied the requirements for confirmation of a plan of reorganization”
“For all the above-cited reasons, the Court sustains the Trustee’s objections as to the”
“For all of the above-cited reasons, the Court denies the Motion, without prejudice.”
“GRANTED. The Court will enter an Order Granting Trustee’s Motion”
“The Court will enter an Order Granting in Part and Denying”
“Finally, Plaintiff's Objection and Motion to Strike are 6 DENIED.”
“Accordingly, the Court will issue an order DENYING the Motion.”
“the Motion, the Court GRANTED the Motion.”
Draft for Judge Lafferty with the record in hand
Ezel grounds your drafting and research in this profile: what has persuaded Judge Lafferty, and what has not, cited to the signed orders.
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