For Attorneys

Welcome to the Attorneys section of the Court’s website.  Here you will find information relevant to you and your business with the Court.

New to Bankruptcy Practice? Welcome!

If you are new to the practice of bankruptcy law generally, or practice in the W.D. of Washington, welcome. This website contains many of the resources you will need to navigate the practice successfully. The information below provides basic information and website links related to electronic filing in this district, motion practice in our Court, best practices tips, and governing rules and forms. The side bar at the left includes additional links for attorney admissions, common procedures, and noticing. An overview of the bankruptcy system generally, including the relief offered by different chapters of the Bankruptcy Code, can be found at the U.S. Courts website: www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/bankruptcy.  The Bankruptcy Basics series provides general information for debtors, creditors, court personnel, the media, and the general public on different aspects of federal bankruptcy laws through videos and pdf documentation.
 

Mandatory Electronic Filing

The Western District of Washington is a mandatory electronic filing jurisdiction.  See Local Bankruptcy Rule 5005-1.  Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, copies of documents do not need to be served on Judges’ chambers with the exception of trial exhibit and motions with supporting documents exceeding 25 pages in length.  Information about the Case Management/Electronic Case Filing system (CM/ECF), including registration procedures, can be found under the tab above titled "NextGen & Electronic Filing."

Motion Practice Before the Court

Motion practice is governed by Local Bankruptcy Rule 9013-1.  Each judge publishes a hearing calendar, available under the “Judges & Calendars” tab.  Aside from issues appropriate to set on an ex parte basis, all matters are to be set for hearing.  The filing party is responsible for determining and noticing the correct calendar date, based upon the assigned judge’s published calendar. Motions and trials must be confirmed by using the Court’s E-Confirmation Process.  For information about each judge’s chamber’s procedures, go to “Judges & Calendars”.

Bankruptcy Rules

Practitioners appearing before the Court should be familiar with the Local Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, the Local Rules of the United States District Court for the Western District Washington, the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

Best Practice Tips

For more information and best practices about bankruptcy in the Western District of Washington, see WAWB Best Practice Tips. This series includes articles from local practitioners, trustees and others designed to help practitioners be successful.