Noah G. Hillen
How Judge Hillen rules, drawn from 16 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
About Judge Hillen
Noah G. Hillen joined the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Idaho in August 2020 and became chief bankruptcy judge in November 2023. Before joining the bench, he practiced commercial litigation and bankruptcy law in Boise.
Judge Hillen's practices and standing orders
Rules for cases before Judge Hillen, as published on the court's website (checked October 11, 2026). Judges revise these often, so confirm the current version on the court's site before you file.
Key rules
Contacting chambers
Submissions about a case’s merits must be filed as pleadings; the judge does not accept ex parte communications.
“Any submissions regarding the merits of a case shall be made by pleading.”
Contacting chambers
Direct scheduling, appearances and extension questions to the courtroom deputy rather than law clerks.
“Any scheduling or appearance issues, extensions of time, or similar matters should be directed to the courtroom deputy, not the law clerks.”
Filing
Email proposed orders to [email protected] with the case number and filed motion’s document number in the subject line.
“Judge Hillen's proposed orders are emailed to [email protected], and the subject line should contain the case number and the document number of the filed motion.”
Motions
Contact the courtroom deputy for a hearing date and alert the deputy if argument or testimony may take extra time.
“Contact the courtroom deputy to obtain a hearing date.”
Motions
File a motion to reconsider with the clerk without obtaining a hearing date first.
“All ‘motions to reconsider’ (properly a motion under Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure 9023 or 9024) shall be filed with the Clerk without obtaining a hearing date.”
Conferences
Meet deadlines for prehearing briefs and witness or exhibit lists even if settlement talks continue, unless the court orders otherwise.
“If a deadline exists for filing pre-hearing briefs and/or witness and exhibit lists, parties must comply with that deadline, regardless of the status of settlement negotiations, unless otherwise ordered by the Court.”
Trial
For an adversary proceeding, supply a bench copy of every exhibit and use a three-ring binder if there are 10 or more.
“Judge Hillen requires a bench copy of all exhibits. If there are 10 or more exhbits, please place them in a three ring binder before sending them to the Judge.”
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 11, 2026).
How Judge Hillen decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Issue preclusion does not establish nondischargeability when the earlier findings leave a required intent element unresolved.
“certain aspects of Defendant’s conduct and leave the essential element of intent unresolved”
Procedural preferences
New arguments raised for the first time in a reply are not considered.
“new arguments cannot be raised for the first time on reply”
Cautions
Professional-fee requests may be reduced when the hours and rates are not supported by the circumstances of the case.
“the hours and rates sought are not supported by the circumstances of this case”
In Poleline Lender, Hillen denied confirmation of the proposed chapter 11 plan because it omitted enforceable payment terms and firm sale or refinancing milestones.
“This lack of detail renders the Plan unconfirmable.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“the Court will sustain Debtor’s objections to the Cattlemen’s claims”
“the Court finds that Mr. Tuell is unavailable within the meaning of Civil Rule 32 and, in the exercise of its discretion, admits Mr. Tuell’s deposition testimony”
“the Court will deny Debtor’s Motion for Order to Show Cause”
“the Court will deny Plaintiffs’ Motion and enter a separate order”
“the Court has carefully reviewed Geile’s time entries and will reduce the requested fee award by $6,688.00”
“Special Counsel is allowed fees of $366,000 and reimbursement of $7,598.79 in expenses”
“The Court will deny Debtor’s objections.”
“the Court recommends the District Court deny the Motion”
“the Court will dismiss the complaint”
“the Court will reduce the hourly fees to more closely align the fee award with what is reasonable”
“the Court will deny the Motion with respect to Blackhawk Manager and will grant the Motion with respect to Blackhawk Gold and Blackhawk on the River with leave to amend”
“the Court will grant BMT’s partial motion for summary judgment with respect to Claim 1 and will deny it with respect to Claims 2 and 3”
“The Court will grant the Amended Motion to Extend regarding Michiko’s deadline to file her Amended Pre-Trial Brief.”
“The Court will deny the Motion to Amend because such amendment would result in undue prejudice and surprise to Defendants.”
“the Court will deny Michiko’s motion for reconsideration”
“Tamio is liable to Michiko for violating the Utah Uniform Securities Act, Utah Code §§ 61-1-1 to 61-1-206, by selling unregistered securities, and that this debt is nondischargeable under § 523(a)(19).”
“Anna is not liable.”
“the Court would decline awarding treble damages in the exercise of its discretion”
“the Court will grant Kalamata’s motion to dismiss Count I to the extent it seeks to assert New York’s usury statute as a sword, but it will grant Trustee leave to amend Count I to clarify the relief sought.”
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