U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Texas
3 judges profiled from their own signed orders: how each rules on motions, with the orders quoted. Court-wide standing orders ↓
Joshua P. Searcy
Bankruptcy judge, appointed by Merit selection
Brenda T. Rhoades
Bankruptcy judge, appointed by Merit selection
Bill ParkerRecalled to service
Bankruptcy judge, appointed by Merit selection
Standing orders for every case in this court
Orders the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Texas applies to all of its cases, whichever judge has them, as published on the court's website (checked October 11, 2026). Courts revise these, so confirm the current version before you file. The court's local rules ↗
- General Order 24-1 Regarding Fee Payment ↗
- General Order 21-1: Highly Sensitive Documents ↗
- Virtual Hearings with Cisco Webex ↗
- Judges’ Info: Telephonic Appearance Notice ↗
Filing
The clerk no longer accepts cash payments.
“the Clerk’s Office will no longer accept cash.”
Conferences
For a telephone appearance at an in-person hearing, arrange it with the courtroom deputy 48 hours ahead and appear in person unless the court confirms approval.
“Any party desiring to appear telephonically at an In Person Hearing must make prior arrangements with the appropriate courtroom deputy 48 hours prior to the hearing. You will receive confirmation from the court if your request is granted. If you do not receive confirmation from the court, you must appear in person.”
Conferences
A sponsoring attorney and witness must join a virtual hearing as separate participants using different cameras and microphones.
“such witness is required to join the hearing as a separate participant from the sponsoring attorney and must access the virtual hearing by a different camera and microphone than the sponsoring attorney.”
Sealing
A represented party seeking highly sensitive document treatment must file a motion and proposed order electronically, but tender the proposed document separately rather than filing it electronically.
“A represented party shall file a Motion for HSD Treatment and a proposed order by electronic means as required by Local Rule 5005 and TXEB Appendix 5005, except that a copy of the proposed HSD shall not be filed electronically, but shall instead be separately tendered to the Court pursuant to subsection (3) below.”
Sealing
Tender the proposed highly sensitive document to the clerk separately in a marked sealed envelope.
“document for which HSD treatment is sought in the form of either: (i) an unfolded paper copy or (ii) an electronic copy on a secure electronic device contained in a sealed 9’ x 12” envelope affixed with the case caption and marked as a ‘HIGHLY SENSITIVE DOCUMENT.”