Presides over cases in the Austin and El Paso Divisions
Contact Us
Homer J. Thornberry Federal Judicial Bldg.
903 San Jacinto Blvd., Suite 326
Austin, Texas 78701
Contacting the Court:
For filing questions, contact the Clerk’s Office at: (512) 916-5237.
For procedural questions regarding matters pending before the court, email the law clerks, the courtroom deputy, and copy all affected parties. The trustee in chapter 7, 11 (where applicable), 12, and 13 cases should also be copied. A representative from the U.S. Trustee’s office should be copied in cases where the debtor in possession is acting as the trustee. Because it is difficult to include all affected parties on phone calls, you must communicate with chambers about pending cases only through email copied on affected parties.
For questions about hearing settings, exhibits, and technical questions about WebEx/telephonic hearings, email the courtroom deputy and copy the law clerks.
Sarah Wood, Career Law Clerk | Sarah_Wood@txwb.uscourts.gov |
An Nguyen, Term Law Clerk | An_Nguyen@txwb.uscourts.gov |
Ronda Farrar, Courtroom Deputy | (512) 916-5237 ext 2712 Ronda_Farrar@txwb.uscourts.gov |
Clerk’s Office | (512) 916-5237 |
Courtroom and Remote Hearings
Hearings are conducted in the Courtroom (in-person) or remotely by Zoom. The hearing notice or the order setting the hearing will state whether the hearing will be conducted in the Courtroom (which means all counsel and witnesses are expected to appear in-person in the Courtroom) or by Zoom (which means all counsel and witnesses are expected to appear by Zoom).
If a hearing is set by Zoom and you wish to appear in the Courtroom or believe that the hearing should be conducted in the Courtroom, email the Courtroom Deputy, Ronda Farrar, at ronda_farrar@txwb.uscourts.gov to make your request and copy interested parties. Before requesting to convert a remote hearing to an in-person hearing, confer with interested parties.
When appearing remotely, mute your audio connection immediately. Unmute your line when your case is called. If appearing by telephone, state your name each time before you speak. See Zoom_Video_Hearing_Guide_for_Participants_txwb.pdf for additional instructions.
How to Request Remote Appearance at Courtroom Hearings
If a hearing is set to be conducted in the Courtroom (in-person), the Court will consider remote appearance by Zoom or telephone upon request. Persons choosing to attend a hearing remotely do so at their own risk.
IMPORTANT NOTE--if a hearing has been set to be conducted by Zoom, it is not necessary for counsel or a party to request to appear by Zoom.
To request remote appearance, electronically file a request using the Request for Zoom Appearance event or the Request for Telephonic Appearance event. A decision on the request will be entered on the docket. Telephonic appearances are only permissible for monitoring a hearing, short announcements, or other extraordinary circumstances. Unless a hearing is set on an emergency basis, all Zoom requests should be made at least 48 hours before the hearing.
If you are not a registered electronic filer, email the Courtroom Deputy, Ronda Farrar, at ronda_farrar@txwb.uscourts.gov with your request to appear by Zoom or by telephone. You will be notified by email if your request is approved or denied.
Procedures
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Business Cases
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Consumer Cases
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Communicate with Chambers by Email Copied on Affected Parties
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Continuances & Expedites
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Exhibits
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Extension of Time
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Meeting of Creditors
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Objections to Claim
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Redaction
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Service on IRS - Claims Objections and Other Pleadings
Forms
- Form Order – Main Case
- Form Order – Adversary Proceeding
- Form Order Granting Continuance
- Form Motion to Expedite
- Form Order Granting Expedited Hearing
- Form Protective Order
- Form Order Granting Motion to Delay Discharge
- Form Order Waiving Right to Claim a Default Based Upon Failure to Reaffirm a Debt
- Form Order Granting Objection to Claim
- Form Order Restricting Access (Redacting)