John S. Hodge
How Judge Hodge rules, drawn from 23 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
About Judge Hodge
John S. Hodge has served as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Western District of Louisiana since August 2018 and is the court’s chief judge. He hears cases in Shreveport and bankruptcy matters from Monroe.
Judge Hodge's practices and standing orders
Rules for cases before Judge Hodge, 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
Conferences
For hearings without testimony, parties and counsel may attend in person or by Zoom; public and media access by Zoom is audio only.
“Parties and Attorneys: May attend in person or via Zoom for Government. • Public and Media: May attend in person or via audio-only Zoom.”
Conferences
Hearings and trials with testimony are in person unless the court orders otherwise.
“Hearings and trials with testimony must be conducted in person, unless the Court orders otherwise.”
Conferences
The court may permit remote participation in a testimonial hearing for good cause.
“The Court may allow remote participation for parties, attorneys, witnesses, or interpreters for good cause”
Conferences
Join a permitted Zoom hearing at least 15 minutes early, using a full first and last name.
“Join Early: At least 15 minutes before the hearing. • Identification: Use your full first and last name.”
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 Hodge decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In Rhodes v. Pecanland Village Shopping Center, Hodge granted dismissal only as to claims seeking to terminate the revocatory action and allowed the remaining claims to proceed.
“The motion is GRANTED, insofar and only insofar, as the court hereby dismisses all claims in the complaint which requested the dismissal or ‘termination’ of the revocatory action described in the complaint.”
Cautions
The court entered default relief after considering both the motion and supporting evidence rather than relying only on the absence of an appearance.
“CONSIDERING the Motion for Default Judgment filed by plaintiff RWDY, INC., and the evidence submitted in support thereof”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“The request for attorneys fees is DENIED for the reasons set forth in the ‘Memorandum to Opposition to Motion for Attorneys Fees and Costs’ filed by Defendant as Docket Entry No. 60. ... The request for taxation of costs in the amount of $646.00 is GRANTED.”
“The motion is hereby GRANTED in part and DENIED in part;”
“The Motion to Dismiss Pursuant to Rules 12(b)(1) and 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure filed by Incline Casualty Company as docket no. 49 is hereby GRANTED in part and DENIED in part;”
“The Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(c) filed by Mario McDavid and Shan Jackson as docket no. 57 is hereby DENIED;”
“IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED that there is hereby judgment in this adversary proceeding in favor of plaintiff RWDY, INC. and against defendant BRIAN T. OWEN as follows:”
“IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Motion for Default Judgment be granted.”
“The Plan, attached hereto as EXHIBIT A, is CONFIRMED and APPROVED in all respects.”
“Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that all relief requested in the motion (Doc. 528) is DENIED.”
“IT IS ORDERED that the motion for summary judgment (docket no. 195) is hereby GRANTED.”
“The Application to Approve Compromise under F.R.B.P. 9019 and to Annul Stay, filed as docket no. 51, is hereby GRANTED;”
“The request of Anytime Fitness to invalidate the parties’ actions taken in violation of the automatic stay is hereby DENIED;”
“1. Plaintiffs’ Amended Motion for Summary Judgment filed as Docket #41 is hereby DENIED;”
“2. Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment filed as Docket #34 is hereby GRANTED;”
“IT IS ORDERED that the motion to dismiss filed as docket no. 39 is hereby DENIED.”
Draft for Judge Hodge with the record in hand
Ezel grounds your drafting and research in this profile: what has persuaded Judge Hodge, and what has not, cited to the signed orders.
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