Judge Parker conducts hearings in the following methods: (1) in-person (in the Courtroom) and (2) remotely (via WebEx). The notice of hearing issued by the Clerk's office or the order setting the hearing will set forth whether the hearing will be conducted in the Courtroom (meaning that all counsel and witnesses are expected to appear in-person in the Courtroom) or via WebEx (meaning that counsel and witnesses are expected to appear by WebEx, not in the Courtroom). If counsel or a party is uncertain as to the method by which a hearing will be conducted, they should email the Courtroom Deputy, Deanna Castleberry, at: Deanna_Castleberry@txwb.uscourts.gov. 

Instructions and rules for appearing at a hearing via WebEx are set forth in the Virtual Courtroom Guidelines for Users. 

How to Request Remote Appearance (by WebEx or Telephone) at Hearings

While hearings are set to be conducted in-person (in the Courtroom) by default, the Court will consider permitting counsel and parties to appear remotely (via WebEx or Telephone) when appropriate and upon request. When a request to appear remotely is made, the Court will consider the nature and scope of the hearing, the purpose of the appearance, the number of parties appearing, the associated time and cost of travel, and equity to all parties.

To request a remote appearance, counsel must electronically file a Request for WebEx Appearance or a Request for Telephonic Appearance at least 2 days before the hearing. These Requests have been created on CM/ECF as text-only entries (with no PDF attachment). They will prompt the filer to include the reason for the request, a phone number, the date and time of the hearing, and linkage to the matter being heard. If Judge Parker approves the request, a Judge's Notice of Party Permitted to Appear by WebEx (or telephone) will be entered on the docket. If Judge Parker denies the request, a Judge's Notice of Party Not Permitted to Appear by WebEx (or telephone) will be entered on the docket. If you are not a registered user with the Texas Western Bankruptcy Court CM/ECF system, email the Courtroom Deputy, Deanna Castleberry (Deanna_Castleberry@txwb.uscourts.gov) with your request to appear via WebEx or telephone. You will be notified by email if your request is approved or denied. 

Judge Parker prefers that counsel who wish to appear remotely do so via WebEx, not telephone. Telephonic appearances are permissible only if counsel or a party is monitoring a hearing, has a very short announcement, or an extraordinary circumstance. Witness appearances are not permitted by telephone. 

Please mute your phone line or audio connection immediately upon joining the call remotely (counsel should advise their clients and witnesses to do the same) to avoid interrupting other hearings that may be in progress. Once your case is called, you may unmute your phone line or audio connection when the Court requests appearances or asks you to speak. If appearing by telephone, please state your name each time before you speak. If a technological problem arises, the hearing may continue in the Courtroom without the participation of those appearing remotely. Accordingly, those choosing to remotely attend a hearing conducted in the Courtroom do so at their own risk.