U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Georgia
6 judges profiled from their own signed orders: how each rules on motions, with the orders quoted. Court-wide standing orders ↓
James P. SmithRetired
Bankruptcy judge
Robert F. Hershner Jr.Retired
Bankruptcy judge
John T. Laney III
Bankruptcy judge, appointed by Merit selection
Austin E. Carter
Bankruptcy judge, appointed by Merit selection
James D. Walker Jr.Retired
Bankruptcy judge
Robert M. Matson
Bankruptcy judge, appointed by Merit selection
Standing orders for every case in this court
Orders the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Georgia 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 ↗
- Administrative Order 2026-02: Access and Management of Sealed Documents ↗
- Administrative Order 2024-02: Highly Sensitive Documents ↗
- Administrative Order 2024-01: Attorneys’ Fees in Chapter 13 Cases ↗
- Administrative Order 145: Hearing Protocols ↗
- Mediation Procedures ↗
Filing
For Chapter 13 cases filed on or after February 1, 2024, a single set fee may be agreed at up to $3,900.
“The Single Set Fee provided in this Order represents a fee that is agreed upon between the debtor and debtor’s attorney and shall be a specific amount up to, but not to exceed, $3,900.00.”
Filing
Do not tell clients that the court mandates a particular Chapter 13 attorney fee.
“Attorneys are prohibited from advising clients or the public that the Court mandates any set fee amount to be charged for a Chapter 13 case.”
Conferences
Unless the judge directs otherwise, Chapter 13 mass calendars and pretrial conferences are telephonic.
“hearings on ‘mass calendars’ consisting of chapter 13 motions to dismiss, chapter 13 plan confirmations, and motions for relief from stay, as well as pre-trial conferences, will be held”
Conferences
Request an in-person setting on a mass-calendar date from the courtroom deputy by 3 p.m. the last business day before the hearing.
“they should make such request to the appropriate courtroom deputy no later than 3:00 p.m. on the last business day before the hearing.”
Conferences
Private mediation generally needs no court order, but estate-funded mediator compensation requires court approval.
“If the mediator will receive compensation from a bankruptcy estate, court approval is required.”
Sealing
Serve sealed documents by means other than CM/ECF because electronic service no longer gives recipients access.
“service of those documents can no longer be accomplished through CM/ECF. Parties will have to serve sealed documents by other appropriate means”
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.”
Sealing
File and serve highly sensitive documents on paper or secure electronic media rather than through CM/ECF.
“HSDs will be filed and served in paper form (or, if digital media, on a secure electronic device, such as a flash drive)”
Sealing
Request leave of court before filing a highly sensitive document.
“Any party seeking to file an HSD must, before such filing, seek leave of court for such filing”