The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has selected Christopher G. Bradley as the next bankruptcy judge in the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.  Mr. Bradley was a law professor at the University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law from 2016-23 and briefly as a professor of law at the University of Florida Levin College of Law before being appointed to the bench. In addition to his academic positions, Mr. Bradley was a lawyer at Weil, Gotshal & Manges, Hohman Taube & Summers, and Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis.

Christopher G. Bradley was born in South Texas and grew up in North Texas. He received his bachelor’s degree summa cum laude from Princeton University and received his law degree from New York University, where he graduated magna cum laude and received the Order of the Coif. In addition, Mr. Bradley has degrees in Medieval English from the University of Oxford, Balliol College. He spent a year as law clerk for Judge Patrick E. Higginbotham of the Fifth Circuit and another year as law clerk for Judge Tony M. Davis of the bankruptcy court for the Western District of Texas. While he was clerking for Judge Higginbotham, Mr. Bradley met his wife who was clerking for the late William Garwood of the Fifth Circuit. Ms. Bradley is a practicing attorney in Austin.

Mr. Bradley was involved with several bar associations and served as chair of the Young Lawyers Committee of the Bankruptcy Section of the State Bar of Texas. Throughout his career, he has engaged in community and pro bono service. In 2016, he became a law professor at the University of Kentucky, where he was recognized for his commitment to teaching and where he received tenure in 2020. He has served as a Uniform Law Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Kentucky and, prior to his judicial appointment, served briefly as a tenured law professor at the University of Florida. He is author of numerous books and articles about bankruptcy law and has spoken widely about bankruptcy law. Mr. Bradley has also written several amicus briefs to the Fifth Circuit. He has two children, and he enjoys hiking and being outdoors.

Please join us in welcoming Christopher G. Bradley as our newest judge, effective on October 2, 2023.

Chief Judge Craig A. Gargotta

United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas