Michael F. Thomson
Court record, service history and public docket data for Judge Thomson.
About Judge Thomson
Michael F. Thomson joined the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Utah in November 2025. Before joining the bench, he was a shareholder at Greenberg Traurig in Salt Lake City and served as a Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 trustee.
Judge Thomson's practices and standing orders
Rules for cases before Judge Thomson, 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
Filing
Proposed orders must be submitted electronically, with at least a two-and-a-half-inch top margin on page one.
“Proposed orders must be submitted electronically and must have a top margin of not less than 2-1/2 inches on the first page”
Conferences
Thomson’s originally scheduled hearings are usually preliminary; offer detailed proof, while testimony and exhibits are generally reserved for a later hearing.
“the originally scheduled hearing will be conducted as a preliminary hearing. The purpose of preliminary hearings is to establish what facts and law are in dispute. At a preliminary hearing, parties should be prepared to make detailed offers of proof, but the Court will generally not receive exhibits or hear testimony, whether proffered or live.”
Conferences
If evidence is anticipated at the originally scheduled hearing, identify it as evidentiary in the hearing notice or objection.
“When any party anticipates presenting evidence at an originally scheduled hearing, the notice of hearing or objection to the requested relief must clearly state that the hearing will be an evidentiary hearing.”
Conferences
Notify the court at least two business days ahead if seeking to strike a hearing.
“Parties should notify the Court at least two business days prior to the scheduled hearing if they wish to strike a hearing.”
Conferences
Zoom participants must sign in ten minutes before the hearing.
“Parties should sign into the Zoom hearing ten (10) minutes prior to the hearing.”
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 Thomson decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Procedural preferences
At preliminary hearings, Thomson expects detailed offers of proof and ordinarily does not receive exhibits or testimony unless evidentiary support is needed for interim relief.
“At a preliminary hearing, parties should be prepared to make detailed offers of proof, but the Court will generally not receive exhibits or hear testimony, whether proffered or live.”
Unopposed stay-relief motions may be submitted for decision without a hearing under the applicable local rule.
“If no objection to the motion is timely filed, an order may be submitted pursuant to Local Rule 4001–1(d), and relief may be granted without a hearing.”
Cautions
A stay-relief motion should identify the factual basis for relief rather than rely on general assertions; deficient motions may be denied without prejudice.
“Do not simply assert that the debtor lacks equity in the property or generally claim that you are not adequately protected. Such statements do not give the Court the basis to grant the requested relief, even if uncontested. Failure to comply with this procedure may result in the motion being denied without prejudice.”
Proposed orders must be submitted separately from the underlying motion, application, or objection.
“Proposed orders are not to be attached to motions, applications, or objections.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
Every sampled matter remained pending, so the cohort supports no completed-case duration measure. Its narrow filing period and single-chapter composition should be considered when using the outcome counts.
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