Free ACKNOWLEDGEMENT - Texas

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgement from the Clerk of Court ............................................. 1 Preface ........................................................................................ 2 Assignment of Venue and Judge Assignment ........................................... 3 Divisional Venue of Cases and Proceedings .................................... 3 Divisional Offices. .................................................................. 3 Amarillo Division ......................................................... 3 Address ............................................................ 3 Telephone Number................................................ 4 Public Office Hours............................................... 4 Counties Served................................................... 4 Dallas Division.............................................................. 4 Address............................................................. 4 Telephone Number................................................ 4 Public Office Hours................................................ 4 Counties Served.................................................... 4 Fort Worth Division........................................................ 5 Address............................................................. 5 Telephone Number................................................ 5 Public Office Hours............................................... 5 Counties Served................................................... 5 Lubbock Division.......................................................... 5 Address............................................................. 5 Telephone Number................................................ 5 Public Office Hours................................................ 5 Counties Served.................................................... 6 Assignment of Judges............................................................... 6 General Information.......................................................................... 7 Federal Holidays..................................................................... 7 Copy/Certification/Exemplification Services.................................... 7 Transcript and Tape Duplication................................................... 7 Voice Case Information System.................................................... 8 Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER).......................... 8 Public Information Terminals...................................................... 8 Internet Website..................................................................... 8 Case Management/Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF)........................... 9 Record Retrieval..................................................................... 9 Judicial Information.......................................................................... 10 Chambers Location, Personnel and Calendar Procedures...................... 10 Chief Judge Barbara J. Houser ­ Dallas ................................ 10 Address.............................................................. 10 i

Telephone Numbers................................................ 10 Order Submission.................................................. 10 Scheduling Settings................................................ 10 Telephonic Hearing Policy........................................11 Emergency/Expedited Requests................................. 11 Motion to Lift/Annul/Modify or Relief from Stay............ 11 U.S. Trustee Docket................................................ 12 Chapter 13 Trustee Docket....................................... 12 Resets/Removals from the Docket (Non-lift stay motions)... 12 Fee Applications................................................... 12 Trustee's Final Report............................................. 12 Trial Docket Call/Adversaries.................................... 13 Motions for Default Judgment.................................... 13 Motions for Summary Judgment................................. 13 Adversary Proceedings Against Multiple Defendants......... 13 Omnibus Objections to Claims................................... 14 Judge Robert L. Jones...................................................... 15 Address.............................................................. 15 Telephone Numbers................................................ 15 Order Submission.................................................. 15 Scheduling Settings................................................ 16 Telephonic/Video Hearing Policy.............................. 16 Emergency/Expedited Requests................................. 16 Chapter 13 Trustee Docket....................................... 17 Resets/Removals from the Docket.............................. 17 Fee Applications................................................... 17 Trustee's Final Report............................................. 18 Trial Docket Call/Adversaries.................................... 18 Motions for Default Judgment.................................... 19 Exhibits..............................................................19 Motions for Relief from the Automatic Stay................... 19 Judge D. Michael Lynn Address...............................................................22 Telephone Numbers................................................22 Order Submission...................................................22 Scheduling Settings.................................................22 Telephonic Hearing Policy....................................... 23 Emergency/Expedited Requests..................................23 Motion to Lift/Annul/Modify or Relief from Stay.............23 U.S. Trustee Docket................................................ 24 Chapter 13 Trustee Docket....................................... 24 Resets/Removals from the Docket (Non-lift stay motions)...24 Fee Applications....................................................25 Trustee's Final Report..............................................25 Trial Docket Call/Adversaries....................................25 Motions for Default Judgment.................................... 26 Motions for Summary Judgment..................................26 ii

Briefs..................................................................26 Judge Harlin D. Hale........................................................27 Address...............................................................27 Telephone Numbers................................................27 Order Submission.................................................. 27 Scheduling Settings................................................ 27 Telephonic Hearing Policy....................................... 28 Emergency/Expedited Requests..................................28 Motion to Lift/Annul/Modify or Relief from Stay.............29 U.S. Trustee Docket................................................29 Chapter 13 Trustee Docket....................................... 29 Resets/Removals from the Docket (Non-lift stay motions)... 30 Fee Applications....................................................30 Trustee's Final Report .............................................30 Trial Docket Call...................................................30 Motions for Default Judgment....................................31 Motions for Summary Judgment.................................31 Judge Russell F. Nelms..................................................... 32 Address...............................................................32 Telephone Numbers.................................................32 Order Submission...................................................32 Scheduling Settings................................................ 32 Telephonic Hearing Policy........................................33 Emergency/Expedited Requests................................. 33 Motion to Lift/Annul/Modify or Relief from Stay............. 33 U.S. Trustee Docket................................................33 Chapter 13 Trustee Docket........................................34 Resets/Removals from the Docket (Non-lift stay motions)... 34 Fee Applications....................................................34 Trustee's Final Report .............................................35 Trial Docket Call...................................................35 Motions for Default Judgment....................................36 Motions for Summary Judgment.................................36 Adversary Proceedings Against Multiple Defendants..........36 Judge Stacey G.C. Jernigan................................................ 37 Address............................................................. 37 Telephone Numbers............................................... 37 Order Submission.................................................. 37 Scheduling Settings................................................ 37 Telephonic Hearing Policy....................................... 38 Emergency/Expedited Requests................................. 38 Motion to Lift/Annul/Modify or Relief from Stay............ 38 U.S. Trustee Docket................................................ 38 Chapter 13 Trustee Docket....................................... 39 Resets/Removals from the Docket (Non-lift stay motions)...39 Fee Applications................................................... 40 Trustee's Final Report............................................. 40 iii

Trial Docket Call/Adversaries....................................40 Motions for Default Judgment....................................41 Motions for Summary Judgment................................. 41

Rules Governing Practice Before the Court............................................... 42 Admission to Practice................................................................42 Local Bankruptcy Rules.............................................................42 General Orders........................................................................42 U.S. Trustee and Trustees....................................................................43 Responsibility......................................................................... 43 Sec. 586 ­ Duties; Supervision by Attorney General............................ 43 U.S. Trustee/Assistant U.S. Trustee............................................... 47 Trustees................................................................................ 47 Chapter 7 Panel Trustees................................................... 47 Dallas Division..................................................... 47 Fort Worth Division............................................... 48 Lubbock Division.................................................. 48 Abilene and San Angelo Division............................... 48 Amarillo Division.................................................. 48 Wichita Falls Division............................................. 48 Chapter 13 Standing Trustees............................................. 49 Dallas Division..................................................... 49 Fort Worth Division............................................... 49 Lubbock Division.................................................. 49 Abilene and San Angelo Division............................... 49 Chapter 12 Trustees......................................................... 49 Dallas and Fort Worth Divisions................................. 49 Abilene, Amarillo, Lubbock, San Angelo and Wichita Falls 50 Bankruptcy Fees and Methods of Payments............................................... 49 Schedule of Fees and Instructions for Filings and Services.................... 49 Fee Schedule................................................................. 49 Methods of Payment........................................................ 50 Filing Requirements.......................................................................... 51 Voluntary Petitions.................................................................. 51 Involuntary Petitions................................................................. 52 Adversary Proceedings.............................................................. 53 Amendments to Open or Pending Cases.......................................... 56 Copy Requirements......................................................... 56 Adding Creditors............................................................ 56 Amendments to Schedules................................................ 56 Schedules Filed After the Petition........................................ 56 iv

Amended Scheduled Due Following a Conversion..................... 57 Amending Voluntary Petition.............................................. 57 Appeals......................................................................................... 59 Appeal of Multiple Judgments, Orders or Decrees.............................. 59 Designation of Record................................................................59 Obtaining Copies of Docket Sheets................................................ 59 Failure to File a Designation of Record........................................... 59 Transcript of Proceedings........................................................... 60 Completion and Assembly of the Record on Appeal............................ 60 Transmittal of Record to District Court........................................... 61 Interlocutory Appeals............................................................... 61 Removal Procedures and Withdrawal of Reference...................................... 62 Removal............................................................................... 62 Withdrawal of Reference............................................................ 62 Appendix A......................................... Protocol for Hearings by Teleconference Appendix B........................................................Fee Application Cover Sheet Appendix C.................................................Wireless Internet Access in Dallas

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM THE CLERK OF COURT
This publication is based on the policies and procedures of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas in effect as of January 1, 2005. It is not a substitute for requirements contained in the Bankruptcy Code, the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the local rules of this court, the Administrative Procedures of this court and various guidelines of the Judicial Conference of the United States and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts. This publication will be updated on our website as necessary. Comments regarding this publication should be directed to: United States Bankruptcy Court Northern District of Texas Attn: Editor 1100 Commerce Street, Room 1254 Dallas, TX 75242-1496 Email your comments to: [email protected]

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PREFACE
In this publication, each gender reference includes the other gender and singular references include the plural and conversely (i.e., debtor refers to all debtors in a case). The use of the word "parties" regarding service of documents and/or orders generally means the debtor, debtor's attorney, trustee, movant and the U.S. Trustee. The term "parties" refers to the parties in a particular matter such as a motion, an adversary proceeding, a document, etc. rather than to all creditors and parties in interest. Use of the word "document" includes all electronic and paper documents presented for filing or submission to the court, but excludes exhibits submitted during a hearing or trial. The following abbreviations are used: § CM/ECF "Code" ECRO Fed. R. Bankr. P. Fed. R. Civ. P. NARA L.B.R. PACER USC VCIS Denotes a Section Case Management Electronic Case Files The Bankruptcy Code (Title 11, United States Code) Electronic Court Recorder Operator Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure Federal Rules of Civil Procedure National Archives and Records Administration Northern District of Texas Local Bankruptcy Rules Public Access to Court Electronic Records United States Code Voice Case Information System

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ASSIGNMENT OF VENUE AND JUDGE ASSIGNMENT
Divisional Venue of Cases and Proceedings The Northern District of Texas encompasses 100 counties in the state of Texas. In this district, there are four divisional offices. The staffed divisional offices are located in Amarillo, Dallas (headquarters), Fort Worth and Lubbock. The district also includes three non-staffed divisional offices in Abilene, San Angelo, and Wichita Falls. Upon the filing of any bankruptcy petition, the case shall be assigned to its proper divisional venue according to the residence of an individual debtor or principal place of business of any of the debtors. The initial assignment and transfer of divisional venue of all cases and proceedings is governed by 28 USC § 1408, 28 USC § 1409, 28 USC § 1412, and Fed. R. Bankr. P. 1014. Divisional venue is indicated numerically in the case number. The first numerical digit after the year and hyphen represents the venue to which the case has been assigned. For example, the following case number, 04-34331-bjh7, is a Dallas case (3 = Dallas). Divisional assignments are indicated according to the following code: 1 2 3 4 Divisional Offices Amarillo Division Address 624 S. Polk Street, Room 100 Amarillo, TX 79101-2389 Abilene Amarillo Dallas Fort Worth 5 6 7 Lubbock San Angelo Wichita Falls

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Telephone Number 806-324-2302 Public Office Hours The United States Bankruptcy Court Clerk's Office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact the clerk's office for information regarding emergency filing procedures. Counties Served The Amarillo Clerk's Office serves the following counties: Armstrong, Brisco, Carson, Castro, Childress, Collingsworth, Dallam, Deaf Smith, Donley, Gray, Hall, Hansford, Hartley, Hemphill, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Moore, Ochiltree, Oldham, Parmer, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Sherman, Swisher, and Wheeler. Dallas Division (Includes Wichita Falls) Address 1100 Commerce Street, Room 1254 Dallas, TX 75242-1496 Telephone Numbers Dallas Cases ­ 214-753-2000 Wichita Falls Cases ­ 800-442-6850 Public Office Hours The Dallas Clerk's Office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact the clerk's office for information regarding emergency filing procedures or refer to: http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/general/emergencyfiling.jsp Counties Served Archer, Baylor, Clay, Cottle, Dallas, Ellis, Foard, Hardeman, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, King, Knox, Montague, Navarro, Rockwall, Wichita, Wilbarger, and Young. 4

Fort Worth Division Address 501 W. 10th Street, Room 147 Fort Worth, TX 76102-3643 Telephone Number 817-333-6000 Public Office Hours The Fort Worth Clerk's Office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact the clerk's office for information regarding emergency filing procedures or refer to: http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/general/emergencyfiling.jsp Counties Served Comanche, Erath, Hood, Jack, Palo Pinto, Parker, Tarrant, and Wise. Lubbock Division (Includes Abilene and San Angelo) Address 1205 Texas Avenue, Room 306 Lubbock, TX 79401-4002 Telephone Numbers Lubbock Cases ­ 806-472-5000 Abilene & San Angelo Cases ­ 800-796-8262 Public Office Hours The Lubbock Clerk's Office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact the clerk's office for information regarding emergency filing procedures or refer to: http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/general/emergencyfiling.jsp

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Counties Served Bailey, Borden, Brown, Callahan, Cochran, Coke, Coleman, Concho, Crockett, Crosby, Dawson, Dickens, Eastland, Fisher, Floyd, Gaines, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Haskell, Hockley, Howard, Irion, Jones, Kent, Lamb, Lubbock, Lynn, Menard, Mills, Mitchell, Motley, Nolan, Reagan, Runnels, Schleicher, Scurry, Shackelford, Stephens, Sterling, Stonewall, Sutton, Taylor, Terry, Throckmorton, Tom Green, and Yoakum. Assignment of Judges In the absence of a conflict of interest, all cases filed in the Northern District of Texas are assigned to judges as follows: 1. Abilene: resident judge of the Lubbock Division. 2. Amarillo: resident judge of the Lubbock Division. 3. Dallas: randomly assigned through automated case assignment system to one of the three resident judges of the Dallas Division. 4. Fort Worth: randomly assigned through automated case assignment system to one of the two resident judges of the Fort Worth Division. 5. Lubbock: resident judge of the Lubbock Division. 6. San Angelo: resident judge of the Lubbock Division. 7. Wichita Falls: assigned to one of the resident judges of the Dallas Division. Alpha letters in the case number indicate judge assignment. The two or three letters appearing after the case number indicate the specific judge assigned. For example, case 04-34331-bjh7, is assigned to Judge Barbara J. Houser. Judicial assignments are indicated according to the following codes: BJH RLJ DML HDH RFN SGJ Honorable Barbara J. Houser Honorable Robert L. Jones Honorable D. Michael Lynn Honorable Harlin D. Hale Honorable Russell F. Nelms Honorable Stacey G. C. Jernigan

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GENERAL INFORMATION
Federal Holidays All offices will be closed in observance of the following federal holidays: New Year's Day Martin Luther King's Birthday Presidents' Day Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veterans' Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day January 1* 3rd Monday in January 3rd Monday in February Last Monday in May July 4* 1st Monday in September 2nd Monday in October November 11* 4th Thursday in November December 25*

* If the holiday falls on a Saturday, it is observed on the Friday before. If it falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday. Copy/Certification/Exemplification Services Each divisional clerk's office provides copy, certification, and exemplification services. Pursuant to the current fee schedule adopted by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, the clerk's office will charge $.50 per page for copies, $9.00 per document for certification, and $18.00 for exemplification. To request copies, please complete a Copy Request form available in the clerk's office or on the court's web page (http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/) and return it to the clerk's office. Transcript Duplication To request a transcript or audio of a proceeding for a hearing held in Dallas, Fort Worth or Wichita Falls, complete and submit order form BTXN191 (Audio/Transcript Order Form) via email. For Abilene, Amarillo, Lubbock and San Angelo cases complete form AO435 (Transcript Order Form) and contact the Court for further ordering information. To request an audio CD or tape, complete and submit Form AO436 (CD/Tape Order). Submit completed order forms according to the following: · · · For Dallas and Wichita Falls cases: [email protected] For Fort Worth cases: [email protected]

For Abilene, Amarillo, Lubbock and San Angelo cases: Contact Julie Combs at 806-472-5006.

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For questions regarding transcript or audio requests: · · · · · · Judge Houser (BJH) - Christi Medders at 214-753-2005 or Dinah Morgan at 214-753-2051. Judge Jones (RLJ) - Julie Combs at 806-472-5006. Judge Lynn (DML) - Sandy Maben at 817-333-6015. Judge Hale (HDH) - Jenni Bergreen at 214-753-2105 or Michael Edmond at 214-753-2069. Judge Nelms (RFN) - Jennifer Calfee at 817-333-6014. Judge Jernigan (SGJ) - Dawn Harden at 214-753-2065 or Marcey Mathews at 214-753-2068.

Voice Case Information System You may obtain basic case information through the Voice Case Information System (VCIS) at 800-886-9008. Public Access to Court Electronic Records Access to U.S. Bankruptcy Court records is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). PACER allows you to retrieve electronic case summaries and docket information using a personal computer. PACER also allows you access to case information from various U.S. district courts and bankruptcy courts across the country. For more information or to subscribe to PACER, visit the PACER Service Center website at http://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/index.html or call 800-676-6856. Public Information Terminals Each clerk's office has Public Information Terminals in the lobby. These terminals allow users direct query access to the court's database. The query system allows users to search by party name or case number. There is no charge to use the public terminals. Internet Website The clerk's office maintains an Internet website to disseminate information to the public. The address is http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov. 8

Case Management/Electronic Case Files General Order No. 2004-06 mandates that all documents filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas be filed electronically. CM/ECF allows attorneys the ability to file pleadings electronically via the Internet. Become a registered CM/ECF user by visiting http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/ecf/#becoming. There you will find information on how to obtain a login and password. You will also find valuable information on all aspects of electronic filing in the Northern District of Texas. The bankruptcy clerk's office also maintains an online CM/ECF User Manual at http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/ecf/manual. Record Retrieval Bankruptcy case and adversary proceeding files for cases filed prior to February 18, 2003, are maintained in the clerk's office for a limited time - usually one to six months after the case is closed. After this period of time, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in Fort Worth maintains the file. There are two options for viewing files that have been moved to the NARA. First, upon request, the bankruptcy clerk's office can arrange to retrieve a particular file from the NARA. There is a $45.00 fee for this service. Requests may be made in writing or in person and should be directed to the clerk's office in which the case was closed. The second option is to view the file at the NARA. There is no fee to view a file at the NARA. You must make an appointment with the NARA to view files by calling 817831-5900. The NARA is located at 501 Felix Street, Building 1, Dock 1, in Fort Worth. Whether you choose to view a file in the clerk's office or go to the NARA, the following information is required: 1) case number; 2) debtor name; 3) NARA accession number; 4) NARA location number; and 5) agency box number. This information can be obtained by contacting the clerk's office in which the case was closed.

Electronic Courtroom Facilities Evidence may be presented in electronic format in the Dallas courtrooms. Please contact the courtroom deputy for the presiding judge for more information. Wireless Internet access is also available in the Dallas courtrooms. See Appendix C: Wireless Internet Access in Dallas Bankruptcy Courtrooms. 9

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JUDICIAL INFORMATION
Chambers Location, Personnel and Calendar Procedures
Chief Judge Barbara J. Houser
Address Judge Houser's chambers are located at 1100 Commerce Street, Room 1421, Dallas, TX 75242-1496. Her courtroom is located in Room 1424 (Courtroom #2) on the 14th floor. Telephone Numbers Telephone inquiries to Judge Houser's chambers should be directed to the following: Law Clerk Law Clerk Courtroom Deputy ECRO Operator Courtroom Deputy Email Order Submission Agreed Orders requiring immediate attention should be uploaded and counsel should notify the courtroom deputy by email. Scheduling Settings Most settings are scheduled with at least 20 days notice. Disclosure statements and chapter 11 plans are set with not less than 25 days notice (three days must be added if party is serving by mail). Claims objections and trustee's final account hearings are set with 30 days notice. All settings, except self-calendar matters as set forth below, emergencies and expedited requests, are obtained from the courtroom deputy in advance of the filing of a motion or application. A notice of hearing must be filed and served in order for the motion or application to appear on the 214-753-2055 214-753-2056 214-753-2059 214-753-2005 [email protected]

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court's calendar. The notice of hearing must be filed within 2 days of service. Settings requiring 30 minutes or less of total court time may be selfcalendared. The court strongly encourages the use of self-calendaring for motions. Please review Judge Houser's self-calendaring procedures online at: http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/calendars/bjh/self.jsp

Settings that do not fit within the self-calendaring guidelines may be obtained by emailing the courtroom deputy at [email protected]. Telephonic Hearing Policy Hearings may be conducted by teleconference when deemed appropriate by the court. As a general rule, parties may "listen in only", and may NOT prosecute motions or give testimony via telephone. In addition, telephonic appearances are NOT permitted for trial docket call, Chapter 13 or lift stay dockets. In approving a hearing by teleconference, consideration will be given to the nature and scope of the matter before the court, associated time and cost of travel, and equity to all parties. The request shall identify the attorney or party making the request by name and role in the bankruptcy case, shall include a statement of the reason for the request, and shall include a direct-dial, non-cell telephone number where the party may be reached in the event the request is granted. Requests should be emailed no later than 2 business days prior to the hearing. Counsel may request a telephonic hearing by emailing the courtroom deputy at [email protected].

Emergency/Expedited Requests The courtroom deputy must be notified by email when filing an emergency motion or motion for expedited hearing. Such motions should be filed in accordance with the procedures outlined in the ECF User Manual which can be found on the court's website at: http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/ecf/manual/motion_for_expedited_hearing_ (bk).htm

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Motion to Lift/Annul/Modify or Relief From Stay Typically Judge Houser schedules preliminary hearings on motions to lift stay on Tuesday afternoons at 1:15 p.m. (during trial docket call week, hearings will be at 1:30 p.m.) In addition, information regarding removing lift stay motions from the court's docket may also be found in the self-calendaring procedures.

U.S. Trustee Docket The U.S. Trustee's docket is generally scheduled on the third Thursday of the month at 1:15 p.m. Settings are scheduled by Mary Fran Durham, Office of the U. S. Trustee. The bankruptcy clerk's office sends out notices.

Chapter 13 Trustee Docket The Chapter 13 Trustee's office prepares the Chapter 13 docket and submits a copy to the court prior to the hearings. General dockets are always scheduled through the Chapter 13 Trustee's office.

Resets/Removals from the Docket (Non-lift stay motions) The movant may reset or remove settings by contacting the courtroom deputy no later than 10:00 a.m. the day prior to the hearing. For settlements and agreed orders obviating the need for a hearing, counsel need not appear at the scheduled hearing if, not later than 10:00 a.m. on the business day prior to the hearing, counsel has notified the courtroom deputy by email or fax that parties have settled or will upload an agreed order, or has otherwise appeared to place the agreement on the record. The announcement to the court will be docketed in the case record. Otherwise, the parties shall appear at the scheduled hearing to place the agreement on the record. Fee Applications No hearing is required for fee applications served with 20 day negative notice language, unless the court orders a hearing. After the response time has expired, if there has been no objection, pursuant to L.B.R 9007.1, a Certificate of No Objections must be filed, accompanied by the proposed

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order being uploaded. If an objection is filed, either email or contact the courtroom deputy to set the application for hearing. Trustee's Final Report No hearing is required for the trustee's final report unless an objection is filed or the court orders a hearing. Notice is mailed by the bankruptcy clerk's office. After the objection period runs, if there are no objections, proposed orders will be sent to the judge for review. If an objection is filed, it will be set for hearing. Trial Docket Call/Adversaries Typically, Judge Houser's trial docket is scheduled on the first Tuesday of the month at 1:15 p.m. A list of trial docket call dates are available on the court's website. The judge will schedule trials at the docket call. Trials are usually set the following week. The courtroom deputy schedules the trial docket call and trial week and issues the standing scheduling order when a complaint is filed. The plaintiff's attorney shall serve all parties with the standing Scheduling Order along with the summons and complaint. Compromise, settlement, and stipulations are expected to have occurred prior to the docket call. Documents are also to be exchanged and marked before the docket call. Pursuant to the standing scheduling order regarding adversary proceedings: (i) (ii) (iii) A Proposed Pretrial Order shall be served and filed seven calendar days prior to docket call; Proposed Findings of Fact and cnclusions of Law shall be filed three days prior to docket call; and A list of witnesses and exhibits, except for those being used for impeachment purposes, shall be filed with the court.

Trial docket calls and trial settings may be taken off the docket for resets/settlements if a telephone call, letter, email or fax, signed by an attorney is received no later than 10:00 a.m. on the business day prior to the hearing. Motions for Default Judgment Motions for default judgment always require a hearing. Motions for Summary Judgment 13

Motions for summary judgment always require a hearing. Adversary Proceedings Against Multiple Defendants The court strongly discourages the filing of a single adversary proceeding against multiple, unrelated defendants involving unrelated facts or transfers. To the extent that counsel believes such an adversary proceeding is appropriate and such an adversary proceeding is filed, counsel shall, prior to any docket call thereon, provide the court no later than 2 business days prior to docket call, a list or chart summarizing the status of the adversary proceeding as against each defendant ­ i.e., whether the defendant has defaulted, whether the defendant has agreed to a settlement, whether the defendant has been dismissed from the lawsuit, etc.

Omnibus Objections to Claims A party re-setting an omnibus objection to multiple claims shall provide the Court, no later than 2 business days prior to the re-set date, with a list or chart setting forth the claims objections which remain to be determined on the reset date.

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Judge Robert L. Jones
Address Judge Jones' chambers are located at 1205 Texas Avenue, Room 312, Lubbock, Texas 79401. His courtrooms are located as follow:

Abilene video dockets and hearings Abilene live hearings Amarillo hearings Lubbock hearings San Angelo video dockets and hearings San Angelo live hearings

Room 2201, 3rd and Pine Streets, Abilene, Texas Room 2000A, 3rd and Pine Streets, Abilene, Texas Room 100, 624 South Polk, Amarillo, Texas Room 314, 1205 Texas Avenue, Lubbock, Texas Room 102A, 33 E. Twohig, San Angelo, Texas Room 216, 33 E. Twohig, San Angelo, Texas

On video dockets and hearings, parties may also appear in Room 316, 1205 Texas Avenue, Lubbock, Texas. As a courtesy, please notify the courtroom deputy by email 24 hours prior to the video docket or hearing if you will appear at the Lubbock location. Telephone Numbers Telephone inquiries to Judge Jones' chambers should be directed to the following: Judicial Assistant Law Clerk Courtroom Deputy Courtroom Deputy Email Order Submission Emergency orders requiring immediate attention should be uploaded and counsel should notify the courtroom deputy by email. Default orders should be uploaded through ECF or submitted on diskette after the response time has expired. Take care to observe F.B.R. 9006(f) by adding three additional days if service was by mail. Do not include findings of fact in the default order; recite only the service of the motion, the fact that no response was filed, and that the allegations are deemed admitted. See L.B.R.4001.1(b) 806-472-5020 806-472-5021 806-472-5006 [email protected]

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Scheduling Settings Most settings are scheduled with at least 20 days notice. Disclosure statements and chapter 11 plans are set with not less than 25 days notice. Claims objections and trustee's final account hearings are set with 30 days notice. Most settings may be self-calendared. The court strongly encourages self-calendaring for motions. A notice of hearing must be filed and served in order for a setting to appear on the court's calendar. Please review Judge Jones' self-calendaring procedures and obtain available hearing dates and times online at: http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/calendars/rlj/self.jsp Settings that do not comply with self-calendaring guidelines may be obtained by emailing the courtroom deputy at: [email protected] Telephonic/Video Hearing Policy Video conferencing and telephonic appearances are used primarily for docket calls for the Amarillo, Abilene, and San Angelo divisions. If the matter requires testimony, introduction of documentary evidence, or will take more than fifteen minutes, the court will routinely place the matter on a "live" docket. In the event a matter is heard by video, such hearing will be conducted in accordance with Standing Order 2000-4, Standing Order Concerning Video Hearings. For telephonic appearances, see Appendix A -Protocol for Hearings by Teleconference. Counsel may request a telephonic/video hearing by emailing the courtroom deputy at [email protected] . Emergency/Expedited Requests As a courtesy, please notify the courtroom deputy by email when filing an emergency motion or motion for expedited hearing. Such motions should be filed in accordance with the procedures outlined in the ECF User Manual at Motions/Applications then Emergency Motions which can be found on the court's website at: http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/ecf/manual/motion_for_expedited_h earing_(bk).htm

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Chapter 13 Trustee Docket In the Abilene, Amarillo, and San Angelo Divisions, the Chapter 13 Trustee's office prepares the Chapter 13 docket and submits a copy to the court prior to the hearings. General dockets are always scheduled through the Chapter 13 trustee's office or by selfcalendaring. The courtroom deputy only sets matters on this docket when instructed by the judge. In the Lubbock Division, the court prepares the Chapter 13 general and modification docket. The Chapter 13 Trustee's office prepares the Chapter 13 confirmation docket. Resets/Removals from the Docket After hearings have been noticed, continuances may only be granted by court order upon motion. A party shall either file a written motion or, with the opposing side present or in agreement, present an oral motion. The motion shall establish cause for the continuance. The movant shall confer with the opposing party and advise the court if the motion is contested. A written motion shall not exceed two pages in length. The court may decide the motion by minute entry or by separate written order. The court appreciates a courtesy call or email to the courtroom deputy regarding the desired continuances, but the continuances themselves must be by court order. For settlements and agreements, matters will not be removed from the docket unless, at least 48 hours prior to the docket call, an agreed order has been uploaded or submitted on diskette, or a motion requesting approval of a settlement has been filed with the court. Otherwise, the parties shall appear at the scheduled docket call to place the agreement on the record. A notice or motion of withdrawal will not remove a matter from the court's docket unless it includes consent by opposing counsel or no response in opposition was filed. Otherwise, movant's counsel shall appear at the docket call to announce the withdrawal. Fee Applications General Order 2004-01 shall govern hearings on fee applications in Chapter 13 cases. Hearings on fee applications in Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 cases may be self-calendared. Fee applications in Chapter 7 cases may be submitted with the trustee's final report, but the applicant must inform the court in the title of the pleading. 17

If a fee application is submitted with the trustee's final report, a hearing will be set if an objection is filed or the court orders otherwise. Trustee's Final Report No hearing is required for the trustee's final report unless an objection is filed or the court orders a hearing. Notice is served by the clerk's office. After the objection period runs, if there are no objections, proposed orders should be uploaded for judicial review. If an objection is filed, it will be set for hearing. Trial Docket Call/Adversaries A lists of trial docket call dates is available on the court's website at http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/calendars/rlj/self.jsp. The judge will schedule trials at the docket call and by signed court order. The courtroom deputy schedules the trial docket call and trial week and issues the standing scheduling order when a complaint is filed. The plaintiff's attorney shall serve all parties the standing scheduling order with the summons and complaint. Compromise, settlement, and stipulations are expected to have occurred prior to the docket call. Documents are also to be exchanged and marked before the docket call. Pursuant to the standing scheduling order regarding adversary proceedings: (i) A proposed pretrial order shall be served and filed seven calendar days prior to docket call; Proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law shall be filed three days prior to docket call; and A list of witnesses and exhibits, except for those being used for impeachment purposes, shall be filed with the court.

(ii)

(iii)

Trial docket calls and trial settings are only reset by a motion to continue or oral motion in court. They will be removed from the court's docket by the filing of a properly served compromise and/or settlement agreement.

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Motions for Default Judgment Motions for default judgment always require a hearing and will be set prior to the trial docket call if possible. Exhibits Exhibits for trials and contested matters must be marked and exchanged three business days in advance of the hearing. Per L.B.R. 9014.1(c)(2), lists of witnesses and exhibits must be filed and exchanged three business days in advance. Except in unusual circumstances, exhibits not exchanged in this manner will not be admitted, nor will testimony be allowed from witnesses who are not on the witness list. However, it is presumed that the debtor will testify. Exhibits must be marked before the hearing and submitted in a binder to the attention of Courtroom Deputy Julie Combs or presented to the court at the commencement of the trial or hearing. A hard copy of all exhibits submitted in support of, or in response to, a motion for summary judgment should be provided in a binder and delivered to the attention of Courtroom Deputy Julie Combs at the time the motion or response is filed. The exhibits will be submitted to Judge Jones at the appropriate time. Motions for Relief from the Automatic Stay 1. If the parties reach an agreement prior to the filing of a motion for relief from stay, an agreed motion and an agreed proposed order may be uploaded or submitted on diskette to the clerk's office serving the division in which the case is pending. Do not include objection deadlines or set a hearing on agreed motions. The filing fee is waived on agreed motions. (i) In Chapter 7, 12, and 13 cases, the motion and order must be approved by the debtor's attorney, the movant's attorney, and the case trustee (the trustee or attorney may authorize another attorney to sign the motion and order on his/her behalf). In Chapter 11 cases, the motion and order must be approved by the debtor's attorney, the movant's attorney and the U.S. Trustee. The movant's attorney must notice the settlement pursuant to Fed. R. Bankr. P. 4001(d).

(ii)

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2. The procedures and time limits for relief from the automatic stay are contained in L.B.R. 4001.1. Take care to send notice to the parties specified in (a) of that rule. 3. If a proper notice is contained in the motion and no timely answer is filed, a default will be entered without a hearing. If a timely answer is filed, a final hearing will be held at the date, time, and place specified in the motion. 4. Prior to filing a motion for relief from the automatic stay, the movant's attorney should obtain a hearing date, time, and location in the division where the case is pending. This is available on the court's website under the "Judges" tab or at http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/calendars/rlj/self.jsp

5. The movant's attorney shall file and serve the motion and a separate notice of hearing the same day the hearing date is obtained from the website. The hearing will not be calendared until the notice of hearing is filed. This will be a final hearing; there will be no preliminary hearings unless requested by a party. Because of the court's schedule, it may not be possible to hold a hearing within 30 days of the filing of the motion. Attorneys who need a preliminary hearing within that 30-day time should ask the courtroom deputy for such a hearing. 6. The following must be placed below the case number on the motion: If a timely answer is filed, a final hearing on this motion will be held at [insert the time and date obtained in selfcalendaring on the website]. 7. The motion must contain information that a default will be entered if a timely answer is not filed and give the date, time, and place of the hearing if a timely answer is filed using the following language: NO HEARING WILL BE CONDUCTED HEREON UNLESS A WRITTEN RESPONSE IS ELECTRONICALLY FILED OR SUBMITTED ON DISKETTE TO THE CLERK OF THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT AT [INSERT THE ADDRESS OF THE BANKRUPTCY CLERK'S OFFICE SERVING THE DIVISION IN WHICH THE CASE IS PENDING] BEFORE THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TWELVE DAYS FROM THE SERVICE OF THIS MOTION. IF SERVICE IS BY MAIL, THREE ADDITIONAL DAYS 20

ARE ALLOWED PURSUANT TO FED. R. BANKR. P. 9006(f). ANY RESPONSE MUST BE IN WRITING, ELECTRONICALLY FILED OR SUBMITTED ON DISKETTE TO THE CLERK AND A COPY SERVED UPON COUNSEL FOR THE MOVING PARTY WITHIN THE TIME DESCRIBED ABOVE. IF NO RESPONSE IS TIMELY FILED, THE RELIEF REQUESTED SHALL BE DEEMED UNOPPOSED AND THE COURT MAY ENTER AN ORDER GRANTING THE RELIEF SOUGHT. IF A RESPONSE IS FILED, A FINAL HEARING ON THE MOTION WILL BE HELD AT [INSERT THE TIME AND DATE FOR THE HEARING] IN [INSERT THE ROOM NUMBER, STREET ADDRESS, CITY AND STATE OF THE PLACE OF THE HEARING]. THE RESPONSE MUST http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/general/fee_schedule.jsp CONTAIN THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY N.D. TEX. L.B.R. 4001.1(b). 8. The certificate of service to the motion must show compliance with L.B.R. 2002.1(g) and L.B.R. 4001.1(a). Show the name, address, and relationship to this case of each party served.

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Judge D. Michael Lynn
Address Judge Lynn's chambers are located at Room 128, United States Courthouse, 501 West 10th Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102. Telephone Numbers Telephone inquiries to Judge Lynn's chambers should be directed to the following: Judicial Assistant Law Clerk Courtroom Deputy Courtroom Deputy Email Order Submission Unless the judge directs otherwise, approved orders requiring immediate attention should be uploaded and counsel should notify the courtroom deputy by email. Disagreements over the form of orders should be submitted to the judge in writing. Scheduling Settings Most settings are scheduled with at least 20 days notice. Disclosure statements and chapter 11 plans are normally set with not less than 25 days notice. Claim objections and trustee's final account hearings are set with 30 days notice. Unless the requirement of a response is authorized by court order, a contested matter must be set for hearing and may not include negative notice language. All settings, except emergencies and expedited requests, are set in advance of the filing of a motion or application. A notice of hearing must be filed and served in order for the motion or application to appear on the court's calendar. Settings requiring 30 minutes or less of court time may be selfcalendared. Please review Judge Lynn's self-calendaring procedures online at: http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/calendars/dml/self.jsp 817-333-6020 817-333-6022 817-333-6016 [email protected]

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Settings that do not comply with self-calendaring guidelines may be obtained by emailing or calling the courtroom deputy. Telephonic Hearing Policy Hearings may be conducted by teleconference when deemed appropriate by the court. In approving a hearing by teleconference, consideration will be given to the nature and scope of the matter before the court, associated time and cost of travel, and equity to all parties. Counsel may request a telephonic hearing by emailing the courtroom deputy at [email protected]. See Appendix A for more information. Parties participating in a hearing by telephone may not present evidence. Emergency/Expedited Requests As a courtesy, please notify the courtroom deputy by email when filing an emergency motion or motion for expedited hearing. Such motions should be filed in accordance with the procedures outlined in the ECF User Manual which can be found on the court's website at: http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/ecf/manual Motion to Lift/Annul/Modify or Relief From Stay Typically, Judge Lynn schedules preliminary hearings on motions to lift stay on Thursday mornings at 9:30 a.m. Please see Judge Lynn's self-calendaring procedures online at http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/calendars/dml/self.jsp for a list of preliminary hearing dates and for information regarding final hearing settings. On agreement of the parties, or upon default through failure to respond pursuant to L.B.R. 4001 of the responding party, preliminary hearings on stay motions shall be removed from the docket prior to hearing by calling or emailing the courtroom deputy. The movant should notify the courtroom deputy by 10:00 a.m. on the business day prior to the setting and provide notice to respondents in order to be removed. Final hearings may be removed from the docket prior to hearing in the same manner. For both preliminary and final motions, agreed and/or default orders for cases removed from the docket must be filed on or before the tenth day after the hearing date and should recite the agreement or default of the other party.

23

L.B.R. 4001.1(e) governs hearings on preliminary stay motions. Accordingly, absent compelling circumstances, evidence at preliminary hearings may be presented by affidavit only. Agreed or default orders uploaded prior to the scheduled preliminary hearing date will be held until the hearing for signature. Judge Lynn will not approve waiver of the 10 days required by Rule 4001(a)(3) in a default order. U.S. Trustee Docket Typically, the U.S. Trustee's docket is scheduled on the second Tuesday of the month at 11:00 a.m. Erin Schmidt, Office of the U.S. Trustee, schedules settings. Notice of the U.S. Trustee's docket is served by the clerk's office. Chapter 13 Trustee Docket The Chapter 13 Trustee's office prepares the Chapter 13 docket and submits a copy to the court prior to the hearings. General dockets are always scheduled through the Chapter 13 Trustee's office or by self-calendaring. The courtroom deputy only sets matters on this docket when instructed by the judge. In any Chapter 13 matter set by the judge, the debtor must be present for hearing. In order to assist the court in any hearing conducted during the Chapter 13 Trustee's docket, debtor's counsel must provide the court, upon the commencement of the hearing, with two copies of the operative pleadings and any exhibits, as well as the most recently filed Schedules I and J. Resets/Removals from the Docket (Non-lift stay motions) After hearings have been noticed, continuances may only be granted by court order upon motion. A party shall either file a written motion or, with the opposing side present or in agreement, present an oral motion. The motion shall establish cause for the continuance. The movant shall confer with the opposing party and advise the court if the motion is contested. A written motion shall not exceed two pages in length. The court may decide the motion by minute entry or by separate written order. The court appreciates a courtesy call or email to the courtroom deputy regarding the desired continuances, but the continuances themselves must be by court order.

24

For settlements and agreed orders obviating the need for a hearing, counsel need not appear at the scheduled hearing if, prior to the hearing, counsel has filed a written pleading or communication, has otherwise appeared to place the agreement on the record or has obtained the approval of the judge through the courtroom deputy. Otherwise, the parties shall appear at the scheduled hearing to place the agreement on the record. Fee Applications Fee applications shall be filed and served in accordance with the current Bankruptcy Code (11 USC), the Fed. R. Bankr. P. and Judge Lynn's Memorandum Order of December 4, 2001. Retainer draw down requests shall be filed and served in accordance with L.B.R. 2016.1 In addition, prior to an order awarding fees and/or authorizing retainer draw downs being submitted to the court for consideration, such order must be reviewed and approved by the appropriate trustee as set forth below. If no objections are filed and the applicable trustee(s) has approved the order, the court may, except as specified elsewhere by Judge Lynn, consider the fee request without a hearing. Typically, fee requests of $10,000 or less will not be heard. Fee requests subject to objections(s) by any party in interest or the U.S. Trustee shall be set for hearing with notice only to the objecting party(ies), U.S. Trustee, debtor and committees. In cases under Chapter 7, proposed orders shall be reviewed and approved by the U.S. Trustee and the Chapter 7 trustee. In cases under Chapter 11, proposed orders shall be reviewed and approved by the U.S. Trustee, the debtor, any committees and, if applicable, the Chapter 11 trustee or, if the court has so ordered, the examiner. In cases under Chapter 12 and 13, proposed orders shall be reviewed and approved by the Chapter 12 trustee or Chapter 13 trustee, as applicable. Trustee's Final Report No hearing is required for the trustee's final report unless an objection is filed or the court orders a hearing. Notice is mailed by the clerk's office. After the objection period runs, if there are no objections, proposed orders will be sent to the judge for review. If an objection is filed, it will be set for hearing. Trial Docket Call/Adversaries

25

Typically, Judge Lynn's trial docket is scheduled on the last Thursday of the month at 9:00 a.m. The judge will schedule trials at the docket call and by signed court order. The calendar clerk schedules the trial docket call and issues the standing scheduling order when a complaint is filed. The plaintiff's attorney shall serve all parties the standing scheduling order with the summons and complaint. Compromise, settlement, and stipulations are expected to have occurred prior to the docket call. Documents are also to be exchanged and marked before the docket call. Pursuant to the standing scheduling order regarding adversary proceedings: (i) A proposed pretrial order shall be served and filed seven calendar days prior to docket call; Proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law shall be filed three days prior to docket call; and A list of witnesses and exhibits, except for those being used for impeachment purposes, shall be filed with the court.

(ii)

(iii)

The court will order a status conference on no less than 48 hours notice prior to trial. Trial docket calls and trial settings are only reset by motion to continue or announcement in court. They may be taken off the docket for settlements if a letter, email or fax, signed by an attorney of record, is received prior to the hearing. Motions for Default Judgment Motions for default judgment require a hearing unless the parties have submitted affidavits in writing. Motions for Summary Judgment Motions for summary judgment must be submitted with a brief. Such motions always require a hearing unless the court orders otherwise. Briefs Any matter counsel anticipates will require significant time for the court to review should include briefs provided at least two business 26

days in advance of the hearing. Counsel should provide the court with the documents and supporting briefs. Hard copies of briefs should be delivered to chambers.

27

Judge Harlin D. Hale
Address Judge Hale's chambers and courtroom are located at 1100 Commerce Street, Room 1421, Dallas, TX 75242-1496. His courtroom is located in Room 1428 (Courtroom #1) on the 14th floor. Telephone Numbers Telephone inquiries to Judge Hale's chambers should be directed to the following: Judicial Assistant 214-753-2016 Law Clerk 214-753-2017 Courtroom Deputy 214-753-2060 Courtroom Deputy Email [email protected] Transcript and Tape Request [email protected] Order Submission In extraordinary situations, attorneys may present agreed orders at the 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. docket calls and are advised to contact the courtroom deputy to confirm dates and times for the docket calls. In an emergency, orders may be presented to chambers after calling chambers in advance. Orders requiring immediate attention should be uploaded through Proposed Order Upload in ECF and counsel should notify the courtroom deputy by email. Disagreements over the form of orders are discouraged and should be submitted for judicial review by email to the courtroom deputy.

Scheduling Settings Most motions are scheduled with at least 20 days notice from the date the motion is filed and served. Disclosure statements and Chapter 11 plans are set with at least 25 days notice (three days must be added if service is mailed). Claims objections and trustee's final account hearings are set with at least 30 days notice. All settings, except self-calendar matters, emergencies and expedited requests, are obtained from the courtroom deputy in 28

advance of the filing of the motion or application. A notice of hearing must be filed and served in order for the motion or application to appear on the court's calendar. Settings requiring 15 minutes or less of court time may be selfcalendared. The court encourages the self-calendaring of motions that meet the self-calendaring criteria. Please review Judge Hale's self-calendaring procedures online at: - http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/calendars/hdh/self.jsp Settings that do not comply with self-calendaring guidelines may be obtained by emailing the courtroom deputy at [email protected]. Telephonic Hearing Policy Hearings may be conducted by teleconference when deemed appropriate by the court. In approving a hearing by teleconference, consideration will be given to the nature and scope of the matter before the court, number of parties seeking to appear by phone, associated time and cost of travel, and equity to all parties. Counsel may request a telephonic hearing by emailing the courtroom deputy at [email protected] at least 24 hours before the hearing. Request should include the case name and number, the attorney's name and the party they represent and a direct (not cell) phone number. Generally, a witness will not be allowed to testify via telephone absent the advance consent of the parties participating in the hearing. Emergency/Expedited Requests Please notify the courtroom deputy by email when filing an emergency motion or motion for expedited hearing. Such motions should be filed in accordance with the procedures outlined in the ECF User Manual which can be found on the court's website at: http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/ecf/manual

29

Motion to Lift/Annul/Modify or For Relief From Stay Dallas preliminary hearings on motions to lift stay are set by phone or email and must be set by movant within 30 days from the date of filing with notice to all parties. Preliminary hearings are usually scheduled on Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. with exceptions for weeks of Wichita Falls hearings. Please check the website for more information at: http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/calendars/hdh/self.jsp. Final hearings are usually scheduled on Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m., except during trial week. Preliminary hearings may be rescheduled by agreement to a final hearing or another preliminary hearing, or removed from the docket prior to the hearing by a phone call or email to the courtroom deputy by the movant. The movant must file an amended notice of hearing reflecting the new date and time. Final hearings may also be rescheduled or removed prior to the hearing in the same manner. Motion to Extend or Impose Automatic Stay Hearings on motions to extend or impose the automatic stay are generally set on the Court's self calendaring docket or on Wednesday afternoon with the Court's lift stay docket. Requests for expedited hearing on extend stay motions are not favored and will not be granted without cause shown. For additional information, please refer to Clerk's notice 06-06 at: http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/notices/06-06.pdf

U.S. Trustee Docket The U.S. Trustee's docket is generally scheduled every fourth Thursday of the month at 9:00 a.m. The attorney in the Office of the U.S. Trustee handling Judge Hale's cases schedules settings. Chapter 13 Trustee Docket The Chapter 13 Trustee's docket is usually scheduled on the fourth Thursday of the month. These dockets are prepared by the Chapter 13 Trustee's office, and a list of contested matters is faxed to the court prior to the hearings. General dockets are always scheduled through the Chapter 13 Trustee's office.

30

Chapter 13 matters which require longer evidentiary hearings are generally not set on the Court's regular monthly Chapter 13 docket. Please conference with the Trustee to determine a mutually agreeable date on the Court's docket and contact the courtroom deputy for a setting. Resets/Removals from the Docket (Non-lift stay motions) When requesting a continuance, movant shall certify to the courtroom deputy that all parties agree to the continuance. Improper resetting is grounds for substantial sanction. Multiple agreed passes on the same matter may eventually necessitate proof of client consent or result in the matter being dismissed for want of prosecution. Fee Applications Most applications for fees require a setting and may be selfcalendared. Trustee's Final Report Final reports are set for hearing only when an objection is filed. The trustee will notice the objecting party only.

Trial Docket Call/Adversaries Typically, Judge Hale's trial docket call is scheduled on a Monday each month at 9:00 a.m. A list of trial docket call dates is available on the court's website at http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/calendars/hdh/self.jsp The courtroom deputy schedules the trial docket call and trial week and issues the standing scheduling order when a complaint is filed. The plaintiff's attorney shall serve the standing scheduling order with the summons and complaint on all parties. Compromise, settlement, and stipulations are expected to have occurred prior to the docket call. Documents are also to be exchanged and marked before the docket call. Pursuant to the standing scheduling order regarding adversary proceedings: (iv)A proposed pretrial order shall be served and filed seven calendar days prior to docket call;

31

(v)Proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law shall be filed three days prior to docket call; and (vi)A list of witnesses and exhibits, except for those being used for impeachment purposes, shall be filed with the court. Trial docket calls and trial settings are only reset by motion to continue and oral motion in court. They may be taken off the docket for settlements if a letter, email or fax, signed by an attorney of record is received prior to the setting. Thirty days following an announcement of settlement of an adversary proceeding, the case will be dismissed for want of prosecution unless written explanation is furnished to the court explaining why the case should be retained on the docket or be reset.

Motions for Default Judgment Motions for default judgment always require a hearing and will be set prior to the trial docket call if possible. Settings may be obtained by emailing the courtroom deputy at [email protected]. A time estimate should be included with the request.

Motions for Summary Judgment Motions for summary judgment require a hearing unless the parties request the motion be decided on pleadings. Settings may be obtained by emailing the courtroom deputy at [email protected]. A time estimate should be included with the request.

32

Judge Russell F. Nelms
Address Judge Nelms' chambers are located at 501 W. Tenth Street, Room 206, Fort Worth, Texas, 76102. His courtroom is located in Room 204 on the 2nd floor. Telephone Numbers Telephone inquiries to Judge Nelms' chambers should be directed to the following: Judicial Assistant 817-333-6025 Law Clerk 817-333-6028 Courtroom Deputy 817-333-6036 ECRO (Transcript and Tape Request) 817-333-6014 [email protected] Courtroom Deputy Email Order Submission Approved orders requiring immediate attention should be uploaded and counsel should notify the courtroom deputy by email. Disagreements over the form of orders should be submitted to the judge in writing by email. Scheduling Settings Most settings are scheduled with at least 20 days notice. Disclosure statements and Chapter 11 plans are set with not less than 25 days notice. Claims objections and trustee's final account hearings are set with 30 days notice. All settings, except emergencies and expedited requests, are set in advance of the filing of a motion or application. A notice of hearing must be filed and served in order for the motion or application to appear on the court's calendar. Settings requiring 30 minutes or less of court time may be selfcalendared. The court strongly encourages the self-calendaring for motions. Please review Judge Nelms' self-calendaring procedures online at: http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/calendars/rfn/self.jsp

33

Settings that do not comply with self-calendaring guidelines may be obtained by emailing the courtroom deputy at [email protected]. Telephonic Hearing Policy Hearings may be conducted by teleconference when deemed appropriate by the court. In approving a hearing by teleconference, consideration will be given to the nature and scope of the matter before the court, associated time and cost of travel, and equity to all parties. The request should include a statement of the reason for the request in the event the request is granted. Counsel may request a telephonic hearing by emailing the courtroom deputy at [email protected] See Appendix A for more information. Emergency/Expedited Requests As a courtesy, please notify the courtroom deputy by email when filing an emergency motion or motion for expedited hearing. A proposed order regarding the expedited motion should be uploaded in the court's orders processing program. Such motions should be filed in accordance with the procedures outlined in the ECF User Manual which can be found on the court's website at:
http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/ecf/manual/motion_for_expedited_hearing _(bk).htm

Motion to Lift/Annul/Modify or Relief From Stay Typically Judge Nelms schedules preliminary hearings on motions to lift stay on Wednesdays at 9:30. Please see Judge Nelms' selfcalendaring procedures online at http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/calendars/rfn/self.jsp for a list of preliminary hearing dates. Preliminary hearings are conducted in accordance with the L.B.R. 4001.1(e). Announcements may be made regarding default, agreed, and unopposed motions. In rem relief will be granted only if the relief is specifically requested by motion, and circumstances justifying in rem relief are shown.

34

U.S. Trustee Docket The U.S. Trustee's docket is typically scheduled on the first Wednesday of each month at 11:00. Settings are scheduled by Elizabeth Ziegler, Office of the U. S. Trustee. Notices of the U.S. Trustee's motions are served by the Clerk's Office.

Chapter 13 Trustee Docket The Chapter 13 Trustee's office prepares the Chapter 13 docket and submits a copy to the court prior to the hearings. General dockets are always scheduled through the Chapter 13 trustee's office or by self-calendaring. The courtroom deputy only sets matters on this docket when instructed by the judge.

Resets/Removals from the Docket (Non-lift stay motions) Parties wishing to continue a matter after notice of the hearing has been given shall file a motion for continuance and upload a proposed order. The motion shall establish cause for the continuance and must include a certificate of conference stating whether or not the continuance is contested. If the continuance is unopposed, counsel should notify the courtroom deputy by email or phone. The courtroom deputy will advise if an appearance at the originally scheduled setting is necessary. While communication to the courtroom deputy is appreciated, parties must file a motion for continuance and submit an order. If the continuance is contested, the court will review the motion for continuance before making a ruling. The courtroom deputy will contact parties if a hearing is necessary. For settlements and agreed orders obviating the need for a hearing, counsel need not appear at the scheduled hearing if, prior to the hearing, counsel has notified the courtroom deputy by email or phone that parties have settled, or will upload an agreed order, or has otherwise appeared to place the agreement on the record. Otherwise, the parties shall appear at the scheduled hearing to place the agreement on the record.

35

Fee Applications No hearing is required for fee applications served with 20 day negative notice language, unless the court orders a hearing. After the response time has expired, if there have been no objections, pursuant to L.B.R. 9007.1, a certificate of no objections must be filed, accompanied by the proposed order being uploaded. If an objection is filed, counsel shall set a hearing on the application using this court's self-calendaring procedures or contact the courtroom deputy. Trustee's Final Report No hearing is required for the trustee's final report unless an objection is filed or the court orders a hearing. Notice is mailed by the bankruptcy clerk's office. After the objection period runs, if there are no objections, proposed orders will be sent to the judge for review. If an objection is filed, it will be set for hearing. Trial Docket Call/Adversaries Typically, Judge Nelms' trial docket call is scheduled on the first Monday of each month at 1:30pm. A list of trial docket call dates are available on the court's website in the self-calendaring procedures. The judge will schedule trials at the docket call. The courtroom deputy schedules the trial docket call and trial week and issues the standing scheduling order when a complaint is filed. The plaintiff's attorney shall serve all parties the standing scheduling order with the summons and complaint. Compromise, settlement, and stipulations are expected to have occurred prior to the docket call. Documents are also to be exchanged and marked before the docket call. Pursuant to the standing scheduling order regarding adversary proceedings: (i) A proposed pretrial order shall be served and filed seven calendar days prior to docket call; Proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law shall be filed three days prior to docket call; and A list of witnesses and exhibits, except for those being used for impeachment purposes, shall be filed with the court.

(ii)

(iii)

36

Judge Nelms will allow a one time, 30 day agreed continuance for trial docket call settings. This may be done by filing an agreed motion to continue along with an order and notifying the courtroom deputy by e-mail or phone the day prior to docket call. Any subsequent continuances must be set for hearing. In addition, requests for continuances of more than 30 days will also be set for hearing.

Motions for Default Judgment Motions for default judgment always require a hearing.

Motions for Summary Judgment Motions for summary judgment require a hearing.

Adversary Proceedings Against Multiple Defendants The court strongly discourages the filing of a single adversary proceeding against multiple, unrelated defendants involving unrelated facts or transfers. To the extent that counsel believes such an adversary proceeding is appropriate and such an adversary proceeding is filed, counsel shall, prior to any docket call thereon, provide the court no later than 2 business days prior to docket call, a list or chart summarizing the status of the adversary proceeding as against each defendant ­ i.e., whether the defendant has defaulted, whether the defendant has agreed to a settlement, whether the defendant has been dismissed from the lawsuit, etc.

37

Judge Stacey G. C. Jernigan
Address Judge Jernigan's chambers are located at 1100 Commerce Street, Room 1254, Dallas, TX 75242-1496. Her courtroom is located in Room 1428 (Courtroom #1) on the 14th floor. Telephone Numbers Telephone inquiries to Judge Jernigan's chambers should be directed to the following: Judicial Assistant Law Clerk Courtroom Deputy Courtroom Deputy Email Order Submission Approved orders requiring immediate attention should be uploaded in ECF and counsel should notify the courtroom deputy by email. Disagreements over the form of orders should be submitted to the judge in writing by email. Scheduling Settings Most settings are scheduled with at least 20 days notice. Disclosure statements and Chapter 11 plans are set with not less than 25 days notice. Claims objections and trustee's final account hearings are set with 30 days notice. All settings, except emergencies and expedited requests, are set in advance of the filing of a motion or application. A notice of hearing must be filed and served in order for the motion or application to appear on the court's calendar. Settings requiring 30 minutes or less of court time may be selfcalendared. The court strongly encourages the self-calendaring of motions. Please review Judge Jernigan's self-calendaring procedures online at: http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/calendars/sgj/self.jsp 214-753-2040 214-753-2042 214-753-2046 [email protected]

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Settings that do not comply with self-calendaring guidelines may be obtained by emailing the courtroom deputy at [email protected]. Telephonic Hearing Policy Hearings may be conducted by teleconference when deemed appropriate by the court. In approving a hearing by teleconference, consideration will be given to the nature and scope of the matter before the court, associated time and cost of travel, and equity to all parties. Counsel may request a telephonic hearing by emailing the courtroom deputy at [email protected]. See Appendix A for more information. Judge Jernigan's court uses CourtCall for all telephonic appearances. Instructions and CourtCall contact information will be provided by a member of Judge Jernigan's staff upon court approval of the request to appear by phone. Emergency/Expedited Requests As a courtesy, please notify the courtroom deputy by email when filing an emergency motion or motion for expedited hearing. Such motions should be filed in accordance with the procedures outlined in the ECF User Manual which can be found on the court's website at:
http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/ecf/manual/motion_for_expedited_hearing_ (bk).htm

Motion to Lift/Annul/Modify or Relief from Stay Typically, Judge Jernigan schedules preliminary hearings on motions to lift stay on Thursday afternoons at 1:30 p.m. Please see Judge Jernigan's self-calendaring procedures online at http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/calendars/sgj/self.jsp for a list of preliminary hearing dates and for information regarding final hearing settings. In addition, information regarding removing lift stay motions from the court's docket may also be found in the selfcalendaring procedures at: http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/calendars/sgj/liftstaychanges.jsp Default orders uploaded prior to the scheduled preliminary hearing date will be held until the hearing for signature.

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Motion to Continue/Extend the Automatic Stay Please see Clerk's Notice 06-06 dated April 12, 2006 for requirements for motions to continue/extend the automatic stay pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 362 (c)(3)(B). Motions to continue or impose the automatic stay will ordinarily be set on an extend stay hearing docket unless a special setting is needed to provide adequate notice, or in the rare circumstance that an expedited hearing is granted. A list of extend stay dockets may be found at: http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/calendars/sgj/self.jsp U.S. Trustee Docket The U.S. Trustee's docket is typically scheduled on the first Wednesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. Settings are scheduled by Nancy Resnick, Office of the U.S. Trustee. Notice of the U.S. Trustee's docket is served by the clerk's office. Chapter 13 Trustee Docket The Chapter 13 Trustee's office prepares the Chapter 13 docket and submits a copy to the court prior to the hearings. General dockets are always scheduled through the Chapter 13 Trustee's office or by self-calendaring. The courtroom deputy only sets matters on this docket when instructed by the judge.

Resets/Removals from the Docket (Non-lift stay motions) After hearings have been noticed, continuances may only be granted by court order upon motion. A party shall either file a written motion or, with the opposing side present or in agreement, present an oral motion. The motion shall establish cause for the continuance. The movant shall confer with the opposing party and advise the court if the motion is contested. A written motion shall not exceed two pages in length. The court may decide the motion by minute entry or by separate written order. The court appreciates a courtesy call or email to the courtroom deputy regarding the desired continuances, but the continuances themselves must be by court order. For information regarding continuances of lift stay motions, please see Judge Jernigan's self-calendaring procedures online at http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/calendars/sgj/liftstaychanges.jsp. For settlements and agreed orders obviating the need for a hearing, counsel need not appear at the scheduled hearing if, prior to the 40

hearing, counsel has notified the courtroom deputy by email or fax that parties have settled, will upload an agreed order or has otherwise appeared to place the agreement on the record. The communication to the court will be included in the case record. Otherwise, the parties shall appear at the scheduled hearing to place the agreement on the record.

Fee Applications General Order 2003-03 (modifies General Order 98-4) shall govern hearings on fee applications in Chapter 13 cases. Judge Jernigan requires a hearing on all fee application in Chapter 7 and 11 cases. Hearings on fee applications in Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 cases may be self-calendared. Fee applications in Chapter 7 cases may be submitted with the trustee's final report, but the applicant must inform the court on the style of the pleading. If submitted with the trustee's final report, a hearing will be set if an objection is filed or the court orders otherwise. Trustee's Final Report No hearing is required for the trustee's final report unless an objection is filed or the court orders a hearing. Notice is mailed by the clerk's office. After the objection period runs, if there are no objections, proposed orders will be sent to the judge for review. If an objection is filed, it will be set for hearing. Trial Docket Call/Adversaries Typically, Judge Jernigan's trial docket call is scheduled on the second Monday of the month at 1:30 p.m. A list of trial docket call dates is available on the court's website. The judge will schedule trials at the docket call and by signed court order. The courtroom deputy schedules the trial docket call and trial week and issues the standing scheduling order when a complaint is filed. The plaintiff's attorney shall serve all parties the Standing Scheduling Order with the summons and complaint. Compromise, settlement, and stipulations are expected to have occurred prior to the docket call. Documents are also to be exchanged and marked before the docket call. Pursuant to the Standing Scheduling Order regarding adversary proceedings: (iv) A Proposed Pretrial Order shall be served and filed seven calendar days prior to docket call; 41

(v)

Proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law shall be filed three days prior to docket call; and A list of witnesses and exhibits, except for those being used for impeachment purposes, shall be filed with the court.

(vi)

Trial docket call and trial settings are only reset by motion to continue or oral motion in court. These settings may be taken off the docket for settlements if a letter, email or fax, signed by an attorney of record, is received prior to the hearing. Motions for Default Judgment Default judgments may be requested at trial docket call or by motion. If by motion, a hearing is required. Motions for Summary Judgment Motions for summary judgment require a hearing unless the parties request it be decided on pleadings.

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4

RULES GOVERNING PRACTICE BEFORE THE COURT
Admission to Practice All duly licensed attorneys who are admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas shall be allowed to practice law before the bankruptcy court, unless the bankruptcy court orders otherwise. Northern District of Texas' Local Civil Rule 83.7 governs admission to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. All partnerships, corporations and other business entities (other than an individual conducting business as a sole proprietorship) that appear in proceedings before this court must be represented by an attorney admitted to practice before this court. An attorney who is not admitted to practice before this court may be permitted by the court to appear pro hac vice. Admittance pro hac vice is governed by Northern District of Texas' Local Civil Rule 83.9. Local Bankruptcy Rules The Local Bankruptcy Rules of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas are to be used in conjunction with the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure in all cases and proceedings under Title 11 of the United States Code, except as otherwise ordered by the presiding judge in a case or proceeding. Copies of the Local Bankruptcy Rules are available on the court's website http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/attorney/#lr. The local rules may be amended or supplemented from time to time as necessary for the proper administration of justice. Should any matter of practice or procedure require the attention of the court on a more frequent basis, the court shall from time to time enter general orders.

General Orders General orders are orders or rules of court that address the regulation of procedure in general, or in some general branch of the court's jurisdiction as opposed to a rule or an order made in an individual case. They may or may not eventually be replaced by a local rule. General orders are available through the clerk's office or may be viewed on-line at http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/orders.

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5

U.S. TRUSTEE AND TRUSTEES
Responsibility The United States Trustee Program is a component of the Department of Justice responsible for overseeing the administration of bankruptcy cases and private trustees under 28 USC § 586 and 11 USC § 101, et seq. It consists of 21 regional U.S. Trustee Offices nationwide and an Executive Office for U.S. Trustees (EOUST) in Washington, DC. Chapter 39 of Title 28 USC § 586 states the following: Sec. 586. - Duties; supervision by Attorney General (a) Each U.S. Trustee, within the region for which such U.S. Trustee is appointed, shall ­ (1) establish, maintain, and supervise a panel of private trustees that are eligible and available to serve as trustees in cases under Chapter 7 of Title 11; (2) serve as and perform the duties of a trustee in a case under title 11 when required under title 11 to serve as trustee in such a case; (3) supervise the administration of cases and trustees in cases under Chapter 7, 11, 12, or 13 of Title 11 by, whenever the United States Trustee considers it to be appropriate ­ (A) (i) reviewing, in accordance with procedural guidelines adopted by the Executive Office of the United States Trustee (which guidelines shall be applied uniformly by the U.S. trustee except when circumstances warrant different treatment), applications filed for compensation and reimbursement under Section 330 of Title 11; and (ii) filing with the court comments with respect to such application and, if the U.S. trustee considers it to be appropriate, objections to such application. (B) monitoring plans and disclosure statements filed in cases under Chapter 11 of title 11 and filing with the court, in connection with hearings under 28 USC § 1125 and § 1128 of such title, comments with respect to such plans and disclosure statements; 44

(C) monitoring plans filed under Chapters 12 and 13 of Title 11 and filing with the court, in connection with hearings under 28 USC § 1224, § 1229, § 1324, and § 1329 of such title, comments with respect to such plans; (D) taking such action as the U.S. Trustee deems to be appropriate to ensure that all reports, schedules, and fees required to be filed under title 11 and this title by the debtor are properly and timely filed; (E) monitoring creditors' committees appointed under Title 11; (F) notifying the appropriate U.S. Attorney of matters which relate to the occurrence of any action which may constitute a crime under the laws of the United States and, on the request of the U.S. attorney, assisting the U.S. attorney in carrying out prosecutions based on such action; (G) monitoring the progress of cases under Title 11 and taking such actions as the U.S. Trustee deems to be appropriate to prevent undue delay in such progress; and (H) monitoring applications filed under 11 USC § 327 and, whenever the U.S. Trustee deems it to be appropriate, filing with the court comments with respect to the approval of such applications; (4) deposit or invest under 11 USC § 345 money received as trustee in cases under title 11; (5) perform the duties prescribed for the U.S. Trustee under title 11 and this title, and such duties consistent with title 11 and this title as the Attorney General may prescribe; and (6) make such reports as the Attorney General directs. (b) If the number of cases under Chapter 12 or 13 of Title 11 commenced in a particular region so warrants, the U.S. trustee for such region may, subject to the approval of the Attorney General, appoint one or more individuals to serve as standing trustee, or designate one or more assistant U.S. trustees to serve in cases under such chapter. The U.S. Trustee for such region shall supervise any such individual appointed as standing trustee in the performance of the duties of standing trustee.

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(c) Each U.S. Trustee shall be under the general supervision of the Attorney General, who shall provide general coordination and assistance to the United States trustees. (d) The Attorney General shall prescribe by rule qualifications for membership on the panels established by U.S. trustees under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, and qualifications for appointment under subsection (b) of this section to serve as standing trustee in cases under chapter 12 or 13 of title 11. The Attorney General may not require that an individual be an attorney in order to qualify for appointment under subsection (b) of this section to serve as standing trustee in cases under chapter 12 or 13 of title 11. (e) (1) The Attorney General, after consultation with a U.S. trustee that has appointed an individual under subsection (b) of this section to serve as standing trustee in cases under chapter 12 or 13 of title 11, shall fix (A) a maximum annual compensation for such individual consisting of (i) an amount not to exceed the highest annual rate of basic pay in effect for level V of the Executive Schedule; and (ii) the cash value of employment benefits comparable to the employment benefits provided by the United States to individuals who are employed by the United States at the same rate of basic pay to perform similar services during the same period of time; and (B) a percentage fee not to exceed (i) in the case of a debtor who is not a family farmer, ten percent; or (ii) in the case of a debtor who is a family farmer, the sum of (I) not to exceed ten percent of the payments made under the plan of such debtor, with respect to

46

payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $450,000; and (II) three percent of payments made under the plan of such debtor, with respect to payments made after the aggregate amount of payments made under the plan exceeds $450,000; based on such maximum annual compensation and the actual, necessary expenses incurred by such individual as standing trustee. (2) Such individual shall collect such percentage fee from all payments received by such individual under plans in the cases under chapter 12 or 13 of title 11 for which such individual serves as standing trustee. Such individual shall pay to the United States trustee, and the U.S. trustee shall deposit in the United States Trustee System Fund (A) any amount by which the actual compensation of such individual exceeds 5 per centum upon all payments received under plans in cases under Chapter 12 or 13 of title 11 for which such individual serves as standing trustee; and (B) any amount by which the percentage for all such cases exceeds (i) such individual's actual compensation for such cases, as adjusted under subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1); plus (ii) the actual, necessary expenses incurred by such individual as standing trustee in such cases. Subject to the approval of the Attorney General, any or all of the interest earned from the deposit of payments under plans by such individual may be utilized to pay actual, necessary expenses without regard to the percentage limitation contained in subparagraph (d)(1)(B) of this section The legislative history of the Reform Act makes clear that the establishment, maintenance, and supervision of the panel of trustees is the U.S. Trustee's "primary function, and his most important contribution to the administration of the bankruptcy system" (H.R. Rep. No. 595, 95th Cong., 1st Sess. 439 (1977)).

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U.S. Trustee/Assistant U.S. Trustee The U.S. Trustee for Region 5 (which includes the Northern District of Texas) is William T. Neary and the Assistant U.S. Trustee is George McElreath. The U.S. Trustee's Office is located at 1100 Commerce Street, Room 976, Dallas, TX 75242. The U.S. Trustee can also be contacted by calling 214-767-8967. Trustees The trustee is a person appointed in a bankruptcy case to represent the interests of the bankruptcy estate and the unsecured creditors. In Chapter 7 cases, the trustee's responsibilities include reviewing the debtor's petition and schedules, liquidating the property of the estate, and making distributions to creditors. The trustee may also bring actions against creditors or the debtor to recover property of the bankruptcy estate. In addition to the responsibilities stated above, Chapter 13 trustees are responsible for overseeing the debtor's plan, receiving payments from debtors, and disbursing plan payments to creditors. Chapter 7 Panel Trustees Please note this information is subject to change without notice. Dallas Division James W. Cunningham 6412 Sondra Drive Dallas, TX 75214 Phone: (214) 827-9112 John H. Litzler 1412 Main St., 24th Floor Dallas, TX 75202 Phone: (214) 752-0999 Robert Milbank, Jr. 500 Akard, Suite 3960 Dallas, TX 75201 Phone: (214) 880-8771 Jeffrey H. Mims 3102 Oaklawn, Suite 700 Dallas, TX 75219 Phone: (214) 522-1678 Robert Yaquinto, Jr. 509 N. Montclair Avenue Dallas, TX 75208 Phone: (214) 942-5502 48 Robert F. Newhouse 1412 Main Street, Suite 2450 Dallas, TX 75202 Phone: (214) 752-0999 Diane G. Reed 501 N. College Street Waxahachie, TX 76165 Phone: (972) 923-2244 Scott M. Seidel 2500 Renaissance Tower, Suite 2500 Dallas, TX 75270 Phone: (214) 742-2121 Daniel J. Sherman 509 N. Montclair Avenue Dallas, TX 75208 Phone: (214) 942-5502

Fort Worth Division Shawn K. Brown 1701 River Run Road, Suite 1000 Fort Worth, TX 76107 Phone: (817) 348-0777 Carey D. Ebert 1236 Southridge Court Hurst, TX 76053 Phone: (817) 268-2468 Marilyn D. Garner 2000 East Lamar Boulevard, Suite 600 Arlington, TX 76006 Phone: (817) 588-3075 John Dee Spicer 6851 Northeast Loop 820, Suite 102 North Richland Hills, TX 76180 Phone: (817) 281-3467

Lubbock Division Floyd D. Holder, Jr. 3223 S. Loop 289, Suite 420 Lubbock, TX 79423 Phone: (806) 763-9296 Myrtle L. McDonald P.O. Box 2426 Lubbock, TX 79408-2426 Phone: (806) 765-8851 Deborah J. Penner P.O. Box 65166 Lubbock, TX 79464 Phone: (806) 794-7163 Max R. Tarbox 3223 South Loop 289, Suite 103 Lubbock, TX 79423 Phone: (806) 780-5955

Abilene and San Angelo Divisions Harvey L. Morton P.O. Box 10305 Lubbock, TX 79408 Phone: (806) 762-0570 Amarillo Division Donna K. Christie 612 S. Van Buren Amarillo, TX 79101 Phone: (806) 372-4420 Wichita Falls Division Shawn K. Brown 1701 River Run Road, Suite 1000 Fort Worth, TX 76107 Phone: (817) 348-0777 49 Kent D. Ries 600 South Taylor Street, Suite 900 Amarillo, TX 79101 Phone: (806) 242-7437

Chapter 13 Standing Trustees Dallas Division Thomas D. Powers 125 E. John Carpenter Freeway 11th Floor, Suite 1100 Irving, TX 75062 Phone: (214) 855-9200 Fort Worth Division Tim Truman 6851 N.E. Loop 820, Suite 300 N. Richland Hills, TX 76180-6608 Phone: (817) 498-1937 Lubbock Division Robert B. Wilson 1500 Broadway, Suite 300 Lubbock, TX 79401 Phone: (806) 740-0114 Fax: (806) 741-1181 Abilene, Amarillo, San Angelo and Wichita Falls Divisions Walter O'Cheskey 2575 South Loop 289, Suite 103 Lubbock, TX 79423 Phone: (806) 748-1980 Chapter 12 Trustees Dallas and Fort Worth Divisions Janna L. Countryman P.O. Box 941166 Plano, TX 75094-1027 E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (972) 943-2580 Fax: (972) 943-8050

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Abilene, Amarillo, Lubbock, San Angelo and Wichita Falls Walter O'Cheskey 2575 South Loop 289, Suite 103 Lubbock, TX 79423 Phone: (806) 748-1980

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6

BANKRUPTCY FEES AND METHODS OF PAYMENTS
Schedule of Fees and Instructions for Filings and Services The court's fee schedule is available at http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/general/fee_schedule.jsp All fees are fully earned and due upon filing or request for service and are accepted subject to collection. Trustees are required to pay fees when there are funds in the estate. A Mailing List of Creditors shall be filed contemporaneously with the filing of a voluntary petition L.B.R. 1007.2. An Adversary Cover Sheet shall be filed contemporaneously with an adversary complaint L.B.R. 7003.

Methods of Payment Acceptable methods of payment include cash, check, money order, cashier check or credit card. Checks shall be payable to "Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court." Checks made payable to a named person (i.e. "Tawana C. Marshall") are not acceptable. Only law firm checks will be accepted in payment of filing fees. Checks from debtors will not be accepted. If you file electronically via ECF then you must pay your fees online. For more information on paying fees online, please see the Online Credit Card Payment Guide at http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/ecf/cc_attorney_guide.pdf.

7

FILING REQUIREMENTS
Voluntary Petitions ­ Chapters 7, 9, 11, 12, and 13 Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure 9009 prescribes that the official forms "shall be observed and used with alterations as may be appropriate." The court does not provide these forms to the public. The forms can be obtained from commercial legal printers or office supply stores. They are also available through various computer software packages.

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The official forms of the petitions, schedules, statements and plan are to be filed electronically or saved to a 3.5" diskette or CD-ROM with paper size specifications set at 8½" x 11". Each page of the saved document should have margins (top, bottom, left, and right) of at least one (1) inch. Compliance with these standards will facilitate the reviewing of the file by the public. The forms should be either typed or legibly printed. The petition should be arranged in the following order: Voluntary Petition* Certificate of Credit Counseling (if applicable) Notice to Individual Consumer Debtor(s) (if applicable) Statement of Affairs Summary of Schedules Schedules A ­ J (in alphabetical order) Statement of Intent (if applicable) Statement of Current Monthly Income...(as required) Disclosure of Compensation Pay Advices Debtor's Certification of Completion of Instructional Course Concerning Financial Management (as required) List of Creditors Certification Verifying Creditor Matrix * The voluntary petition must always be the top page and include both the debtor's and the attorney's electronic signatures (i.e. /s/ John Doe). The debtor's attorney is to maintain a paper copy of the petition with the attorney's and debtor's signatures in the attorney's office for a period of seven years. The following are the requirements for emergency or minimum filings: Voluntary Petition Declaration on Behalf of Corporation (if applicable) Notice to Individual Consumer Debtor(s) (if applicable) Disclosure of Compensation Mailing Matrix Filing Fee or Application and Order to Pay Filing Fee in Installments List of 20 Largest Unsecured Creditors (Chapter 11 Only) A Notice of Deficiency will be issued when a case is filed without the minimum required documents. The Notice of Deficiency will reference the deadlines applicable to the documents that are deficient from the voluntary petition filing. 53

The court monitors these deficiencies and may enter an order of dismissal if they are not cured in the prescribed period of time (unless a motion to extend time for filing such documents is filed with the court). If you feel that you have received a deficiency notice in error, do not ignore it; contact the clerk's office in the appropriate division immediately or the case may be dismissed. Effective October 1, 2003, all documents submitted to the court must be submitted electronically through the court's electronic filing system (CM/ECF). For more information on becoming a registered user please visit our website at http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/ecf/#becoming. All filings fees should be paid at the time of filing. Failure to submit the appropriate filing fees will result in the issuance of a Clerk's Notice of Fees Due, and if the fee is not received by the clerk's office within the specified period of time on the Clerk's Notice of Fees Due, the pleading or case may be dismissed for failure to pay. All petitions are to be accompanied by an Official Form 21 Statement of Social Security Number. Form 21 verifies, under penalty of perjury, the debtor's full social security number or that the debtor does not have a social security number. Electronic filers shall electronically file the Statement of Social Security Number (Official Form 21) within five days after the filing of the petition. Also, within five (5) days of the filing of the petition, the electronic filer shall tender to the Court in paper format the Declaration for Electronic Filing as described in the Administrative Procedures for Electronic Case Filing.

Involuntary Petitions General Requirements - Chapter 7 and 11 An involuntary petition may be commenced only under Chapter 7 or 11, and only against a person (except a farmer or corporation that is not a moneyed business or commercial corporation that may be a debtor under the chapter under which such case is commenced [11 USC § 303]). The exception that a husband and wife may file a joint petition applies to voluntary petitions only. Official form B5 is to be used in every involuntary case, including a partnership. The form provides space for the signature of the attorney and the 54

petitioning creditors. Furthermore, the advisory committee's note to that form provides, in part: "Each petitioning creditor, by signing on the line provided, signs both the petition and the unsworn declaration which 28 USC § 1746 permits instead of verification. The addresses as well as the names of individuals signing the petition in a representative capacity are required, together with disclosure of which petitioner is represented by each signatory." Failure to sign the petition may constitute a serious defect in the filing. An involuntary case is commenced by three or more entities (petitioning creditors) with unsecured claims totaling at least $11,625. The alleged debtor must also have 12 or more creditors. If there are fewer than 12 creditors, there must be one or more entities (petitioning creditors) that hold unsecured claims totaling at least $11,625 to commence the case. As part of the filing requirement, the filing party must file a mailing matrix with the involuntary petition. Even though all creditors may not be known at the time of the filing, the filing party must submit at least the addresses of the petitioning creditor(s) and their attorneys on a matrix. Upon filing, the clerk's office will assign a case number to the involuntary petition; however, an appointment of a trustee will not be made until an order for relief has been entered. Additionally, the filing party will receive a scheduling order setting a status conference, along with the summons. Service of the summons must be made within ten (10) days following the issuance of the summons. The party should file proof of such service with the court. If a summons is not timely delivered or mailed, the party should write a letter to the court asking for reissuance of the summons. Adversary Proceedings Adversary proceedings are assigned a number (separate from the bankruptcy case number), which must be used in conjunction with the related bankruptcy case number in the caption of all adversary proceedings. Captions of adversary proceedings should clearly reflect the name of the debtor, plaintiff, and defendant. Pursuant to Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure 7001, an adversary proceeding must be filed when a party is seeking to: 1. recover money or property, except during a proceeding to compel the debtor to deliver property to the trustee, or a proceeding under

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11 USC § 554(b) or § 725 of the Code, Fed. R. Bankr. P. 2017 or 6002. 2. determine the validity, priority, or extent of a lien or other interest in property, other than a proceeding under Fed. R. Bankr. P. 4003(d). 3. obtain approval pursuant to 11 USC § 363(h) for the sale of both the interest of the estate and of a co-owner in property. 4. object to or revoke a discharge. 5. revoke an order of confirmation of a chapter 11, 12, or 13 plan. 6. determine the dischargeability of a debt. 7. obtain an injunction or other equitable relief. 8. subordinate any allowed claim or interest, except when subordination is provided in a chapter 9, 11, 12, or 13 plan. 9. obtain a declaratory judgment relating to any of the foregoing. 10. determine a claim or cause of action removed pursuant to 28 USC § 1452. Parties to an adversary proceeding are required to designate in their initial pleadings whether a proceeding is core or non-core (28 USC § 157 distinguishes between "core" and "non-core" proceedings). This designation is important to the judges and the clerk's office in determining how to process and handle final orders and rulings of the court. Subsections (4) and (5) of the Fed. R. Bankr. P. 7004 address service of a summons and complaint (and in a contested matter, the motion [see Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9014]) on the United States or any officer or agency of the United States. Plaintiffs (or moving parties), frequently fail to effect service in accordance with these subsections. The most common defect is that service is not made on the Attorney General of the United States nor on the officer or agency involved ­ usually the U.S. Attorney for the district is served. There

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may be other parties who should also be served, such as the trustee, and that is a determination for the plaintiff (or the moving party) to make. Failure to effect such service could render any order issued on the objection invalid should the party not served subsequently file a motion under Fed. R. Bankr. P. 7060. After the adversary proceeding is filed, the clerk's office issues a summons and a scheduling order. A summons is only valid for ten days following its issuance (Fed. R. Bankr. P. 7004(f)). If the ten-day period has passed without the summons being served, the plaintiff should request, in writing, that the summons be reissued. Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure 7055 (and Fed. R. Civ. P. 55) provides the procedure for defaults and default judgments. The Clerk of Court plays a major role in entering defaults and, in certain circumstances, the Clerk can sign and enter default judgments. If the defendant has failed to respond, the plaintiff should file an affidavit of default, which sets forth the following facts: 1. The date of issuance of summons; 2. A statement of whether the court fixed a deadline for the filing of an answer or motion, or whether the 30 (or 35) day limit applies; 3. The date of service of complaint; 4. The date of filing of affidavit of service or certificate of mailing; 5. A statement that defendant is not an infant or incompetent person, nor has been in the military of the United States since the filing of the suit or for a period of six months prior to such filing; 6. A statement that no answer or motion has been received within the time limit. There are certain time constraints when filing an adversary proceeding pursuant to 11 USC § 523 and § 727 of the Bankruptcy Code. Please consult Fed. R. Bankr. P. 4004(a)(b)(c), 4007(c)(d), and 9006(b)(3) for time constraints associated with complaints to determine dischargability and objecting to discharge.

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The party initiating an adversary proceeding (Bankruptcy Rule 7004) or a contested matter (Bankruptcy Rule 9013) against an insured depository institution shall make service on insured depository institutions by certified mail when that service is required by Bankruptcy Rule 7004(h). Amendments to Open or Pending Cases Copy Requirements Amendments to petitions, regardless of chapter, should be submitted in electronic format. Adding Creditors to the Mailing Matrix Amendments adding creditors must be: a. signed by debtor; and b. accompanied by a certificate of service to new creditors indicating service of the amendment, the §341 meeting notice, the discharge, and any other document which may affect the creditor. Amendment to Schedules Follow the steps outlined above if amending schedules to add creditors. If amending schedules without adding creditors, the debtor must sign the amendment and the certificate of service should indicate service of the amendment on creditors affected by it. A $26.00 filing fee is also required pursuant to 11 USC § 1930. Schedules Filed After the Petition If the schedules are being filed after the petition has been filed, and there are creditors in addition to those on the matrix or list filed with the petition, follow the steps outlined in "Adding Creditors" above. A supplemental mailing matrix or list of creditors containing fewer than ten (10) creditors, or a supplemental matrix in a Chapter 13 case, must be in electronic format. L.B.R. 1007.2 governs requirements for lists of creditors. The creditor matrix should be saved as an ASCII text file.

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For specific instructions on the creditor matrix specifications, refer to the style guide available at: http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/ecf/Style_Guide/matrix.htm

Amended Schedules Due Following a Conversion If amended schedules with additional creditors are due pursuant to an order converting the case from one chapter to another, you must also submit a mailing matrix of only the additional creditors. Amending Voluntary Petition Unless you are amending the voluntary petition itself, do not file another petition.

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8

APPEALS
Appeals are governed by the 8000 series of the Fed. R. Bankr. P. and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas' Local Rules. All appeals must be directed to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in the Order and Notice of Guidelines Regarding Appeals to the District Court, as outlined below, may result in the dismissal of the appeal or other action as determined by the U.S. district court judge subsequently assigned to the appeal. Appeal of Multiple Judgments, Orders or Decrees Each appealed judgment, order or decree of a bankruptcy judge requires a separate Notice of Appeal, separate filing fee and separate record. Appeal of related judgments, orders or decrees from the same case may be consolidated after transmission to the U.S. District Court. Designation of the Record Rule 8006 of the Bankruptcy Rules provides that within ten days after filing the Notice of Appeal or entry of an Order Granting Leave to Appeal, the Appellant shall file with the Clerk of the Bankruptcy Court and serve on the Appellee(s): (1) a "designation" of the items, including transcripts and exhibits, to be forwarded as the Record on Appeal; and (2) a "statement of the issues." Within ten days after service of the designation and statement, the Appellee may file and serve on the Appellant a designation of additional items to be included in the record on appeal. You are further required to identify pleadings in your designation by indicating the title of the document and the document number. The document number appears immediately to the left of the entry of the pleading on the docket sheet. Transcript requests are due the same date the party's designation is due. Obtaining Copies of Docket Sheets Docket sheets are available for viewing in the clerk's office during regular business hours Monday through Friday. The clerk's office charges a fee of $.50 per page for copies. PACER subscriber's can print copies of docket sheets from their PC. (For more information on PACER, contact the PACER Service Center at 1-800-676-6856.) Failure to File a Designation of Record Failure to file a proper and timely Designation of Record will be deemed an indication that the Appellant does not wish to pursue the appeal. The Record on Appeal consisting of a copy of the docket sheet, the Notice of Appeal, order from which the appeal is taken, and any related findings of fact and conclusions of law or memorandum opinion will be transmitted to the U.S. District Court with a notice of the deficiency indicating that you failed to file a Designation of Record.

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Transcript of Proceedings For information on obtaining a transcript of proceedings, please see "General Information - Transcription and Tape Duplication" of this publication. L.B.R. 8006.2(a) provides that: "A party who has designated a transcript of any proceeding or part thereof shall provide the clerk a copy of the transcript within (5) five days of the date the reporter files the transcript in accordance with Fed. R. Bankr. P. 8007(a)." The transcript, like all other designated documents, must be assembled in the record in the order in which they are listed on the Designation/Cross-Designation. Completion and Assembly of the Record on Appeal Although the primary responsibility to transmit the Record on Appeal rests with the Clerk of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, the amendment to Rule 8006, as of August 1, 1991, provides that: "Any party filing a designation of the items to be included in the record shall provide to the clerk a copy of the items designated" and "All parties shall take any other action necessary to enable the clerk to assemble and transmit the record." You may provide copies of all designated items, including exhibits from your own file. In the Dallas Division, you may obtain copies from the court's contracted copy service at 214-752-2212. Arrangements for obtaining copies can be made by completing a Bankruptcy Court Copy Request form and delivering the completed form to the copy service. The form must be submitted to the copy service within five days of receipt of the Order and Notice of Guidelines Regarding Appeals to the U.S. District Court. Also, pursuant to Fed. R. Bankr. P. 8006, all copies of designated documents must be two-hole punched at the top, assembled in the order in which they are listed on the Designation/Cross-Designation and fastened into durable, binders with labels. Each binder should contain a maximum of 250 pages, including index pages. If a party fails to provide copies within the twenty (20) day deadline of filing the designation of record, the party will receive a deficiency notice to provide the copies immediately. L.B.R. 8006.3 provides for the clerk to prepare the copies at the party's expense upon the party's failure to do so. However, the bankruptcy court does not provide paralegal services. A party is still responsible for submitting the record in the manner set forth in L.B.R 8006.2 upon receipt of prepaid copies. L.B.R 8006.3 is not an automatic extension of time for a party to submit copies of its designated record. A party should file a motion to extend time with an uploaded order if more time is needed to provide the copies.

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Transmittal of the Record to the District Court When the record has been assembled (including transcripts and exhibits) and after the expiration of applicable time limits, the Clerk of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court shall transmit the record to the Clerk of the U.S. District Court. Upon receipt of a complete record, the Clerk of the U.S. District Court will enter the appeal on the docket and shall provide written notice to the parties of the day on which the appeal was docketed. Your obligation under Rule 8009 to file appellant briefs begins on the date of entry of the appeal on the district court docket. Deficient designations will be presented to the presiding U.S. district judge for a determination on dismissing the appeal. Interlocutory Appeals Pursuant to Fed. R. Bankr. P. 8003, the Notice of Appeal from an interlocutory order of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court must be accompanied by a "Motion For Leave To Appeal" under 28 USC § 1334(b) or § 1482(b). Within ten days after service of the Motion, an adverse party may file with the Clerk of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court an Answer in Opposition. Once the ten-day period for submission of an Answer has expired, the Notice of Appeal, the Motion for Leave to Appeal and any answer in opposition will be transmitted by the Clerk of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to the Clerk of the U.S. District Court for assignment to a U.S. district court judge.

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REMOVAL PROCEDURES AND WITHDRAWAL OF REFERENCE
Removal Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure 9027 governs the procedures for removal of cases. Note that the proceeding must be removed to the district for the state or federal court where the civil action is pending. Withdrawal of Reference Motions for withdrawal of reference of a case or proceeding pursuant to Fed. R. Bankr. P. 5011 shall be filed with the Clerk of Court. A motion for withdrawal of reference must be accompanied by the appropriate filing fee. If a child support creditor or its representative is the movant, no fee is required. Refer to L.B.R. 5011.1 for more information on the procedures for withdrawal of reference including the requirements of this court. The motion for withdrawal of reference must be accompanied by a separate notice of hearing, requiring the movant, prior to filing the motion, to obtain a selfcalendar date for the status conference before the assigned bankruptcy judge. The hearing date and time must also be included on the face of the motion. The clerk's office will prepare and transmit the motion for withdrawal of reference to the U.S. District Court within twenty-four hours of the filing of the motion and notify all parties of the U.S. District Court civil case number. All responses and subsequent papers must be filed, captioned and numbered with the U.S. District Court Clerk's Office. After the status conference, the bankruptcy judge will file a report and recommendation with the U.S. District Court.

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APPENDIX A
Protocol for Hearings by Teleconference Hearings may be conducted by teleconference when deemed appropriate by the court. In approving a hearing by teleconference, consideration will be given to the nature and scope of the matter before the court, associated time and cost of travel and equity to all parties. Counsel may request a telephonic hearing by e-mail or by sending or faxing a letter to the courtroom deputy. Requests made by fax should be sent to (214)753-2072 for the Dallas and Wichita Falls Divisions, (817) 333-6001 for Fort Worth Division, and (806)472-5004 for the Abilene, Amarillo, Lubbock and San Angelo Divisions. The request must be received at least 24 hours in advance of the hearing. Courtroom Deputy Viola Salcido-Judge Barbara J. Houser Julie Combs-Judge Robert L. Jones Donna Jordan-Judge D. Michael Lynn Jodie Chapman-Judge Harlin D. Hale Jana McCrory-Judge Russell F. Nelms Traci Davis-Judge Stacey G. C. Jernigan E-mail Address [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

The following recommendations should be useful in enhancing the teleconference quality. 1. Speakerphones may not be used. It has been the court's experience that background noise is magnified by the courtroom sound system and is too distracting. 2. Parties should speak using a normal telephone handset. Please be aware that noise from parties participating by phone is magnified by the sound system in the courtroom. Paper-shuffling, coughing, and any other noise is very distracting to all parties. If you have a mute feature on your phone, please use it. Upon court approval, judicial staff will instruct the party requesting the phone hearing to arrange for the conference call to be set up and then dialed through to the appropriate chambers 1 . If more than one party will appear via phone, then the court will instruct a party to arrange for a conference call operator to set up the call on a single line. Placing a call to court late is the same as coming to court late. You will not be heard. Parties may not be added to a conference call once the hearing has commenced. On occasion, the court will dial a party directly.

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These procedures are subject to judicial modification. You will be advised of any additional requirements when your request for teleconference is granted.

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All participants must be in place and prepared for the conference call at least fifteen minutes prior to the scheduled hearing time. Parties must remember to state their name for the record before speaking. Technical assistance or information regarding the configuration of teleconference equipment may be obtained from the Court Telecommunication Specialist, Tim Christnagel, at (214) 753-2020.

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APPENDIX B
FEE APPLICATION COVER SHEET (Interim/Final) Fee Application of for the time period of Capacity: Chapter:

Debtor/Case: Retainer Received: Amount Previously Paid:

Amount Requested: Fees: Expenses: Other: Total:

Reductions: Vol. Fee Reductions: Expense Reductions: Total Reductions:

Expenses: Copies per page: Faxes per page: WestLaw/Lexis: Other (specify):

Hourly Rates: Highest Rates: Hours Billed: Average:

Attorney / Accountant

Paralegal / Clerical

Signature

Date

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APPENDIX C
WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS IN DALLAS BANKRUPTCY COURTROOMS The United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Texas, has recently added wireless Internet access in the Dallas courtrooms. In order to take advantage of the wireless access, parties attending courtroom proceedings must have laptops with wireless PC card adapters or built-in wireless capabilities. To use your laptop to access case information during a hearing, please insure that your computer is properly setup for wireless access prior to entering the courtroom. The wireless SSID is: txnb0804 Some wireless controllers will find this SSID automatically, while others must be preconfigured with this SSID. If you are unsure how to configure your computer, please seek the advice of your IT staff or other computer savvy persons. Courtroom personnel and the Clerk's office staff of the bankruptcy court will be unable to provide individual assistance. Once connected to the Internet, you may use your browser to connect to ecf.txnb.uscourts.gov Use your PACER logon and password to enter the web site. Do not use your CM/ECF logon and password to connect to the web site as CM/ECF is utilized for filing and will allow only one free look at your filed documents. With your PACER logon, you may access data for any case on file subject to the usual PACER fees. Parties are expected to observe usual courtroom etiquette when using the wireless access. Be sure to turn off or mute the sound volume on your computer. Also avoid downloading streaming audio or video to reduce the impact on the bandwidth available with the DSL connection. The access available in the courtrooms is a traditional SBC DSL phone line that provides broadband access to the Internet. The network line is not a part of, nor is it connected to, the Judiciary's Communications Network. No Internet firewall or virus protection is installed with the SBC DSL phone line so the usual precautions should be installed on your computer prior to connecting to the Internet.

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