Jenni Bergreen, Courtroom Deputy
(214) 753-2060
The Northern District will permit counsel to utilize a self-calendaring procedure for the scheduling of motions requiring 15 minutes or less of court time. This procedure will allow counsel to self-select available dates and times on the appropriate judge's calendar and serve notice without contacting the courtroom deputy for a hearing setting. The Court strongly encourages the use of this self-calendaring procedure when appropriate. Courtroom deputies are available, by email or telephone, to schedule non self-calendared hearings as needed.
FBA Young Lawyers in Court Initiative
The Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas recognizes the importance of providing opportunities for junior lawyers to gain experience and training in courtroom skills. Accordingly, it is the policy of this Court that, where junior lawyers are familiar with the matter before the Court, but are not experienced in arguing in court, they should be encouraged to attend and participate. In such circumstances, where it creates an opportunity for a junior lawyer to argue, this Court is amenable to permitting more than one lawyer to argue for a party.
Other opportunities for junior lawyers include attending and participating in first-day matters in Chapter 11 cases and presenting some of the motions before the Court, going over the agenda with the Court for cases in which more than one hearing is scheduled, and attending to other uncontested matters. On the latter point, this Court does not consider it a waste of judicial time for a junior lawyer to handle in an efficient manner an uncontested matter.
The self-calendaring procedure for Judge Hale is as follows:
Types of proceedings that may be set in accordance with the self-calendar procedure:
The self-calendaring procedure will not be available for the following:
NOTE: Occasionally there may be instances where self-calendared motions are rescheduled possibly due to docket congestion or unforeseen schedule changes. In these instances the courtroom deputy will contact counsel for the movant as soon as possible so that a notice of rescheduled hearing may be filed and served.
Unless otherwise noted, all hearings should be noticed for Judge Hale's Courtroom, 1100 Commerce Street, 14th Floor, Courtroom #3, Dallas, TX 75242.
Preliminary hearings on Motions for Relief from Stay (and Motions to Extend Stay - with 24-day notice)
All matters relating to Chapter 13 main cases will be heard on designated days (generally Thursdays).
NOTE: All matters shall be noticed for an 8:30 a.m. pre-hearing conference at 105 Decker Court, Suite 120, 1st Floor, Irving, Texas 75062. The Court will hear unresolved matters at 2:00 p.m. on the same day.
5/26/2022 6/30/2022 7/28/2022 8/25/2022
Motions that comply with the self-calendaring requirements (including Motions to Extend Stay - with 24-day notice) with an estimated time of 15 minutes or less:
5/12/2022 at 9:00 AM (Thu) 5/26/2022 at 10:00 AM (Thu) 6/10/2022 at 9:30 AM (Fri) 6/17/2022 at 9:30 AM (Fri) 6/24/2022 at 9:30 AM (Fri) 6/29/2022 at 9:30 AM (Wed)
Telephonic and Videoconference Hearing Policy
1. General Information. The Court is currently providing remote access to hearings through the Court’s WebEx videoconference facilities. Parties, counsel, and other parties in interest are permitted to attend and participate in hearings by telephone and videoconference without prior permission of the Court subject to compliance with the procedures and requirements set forth herein. Those who plan to actively participate in a hearing are encouraged to attend the hearing in the WebEx video mode using the WebEx video link below. Those who will not be seeking to introduce any evidence at the hearing and who wish to attend in a telephonic-only mode may attend the hearing in the WebEx telephonic-only mode using the WebEx dial-in and access code below.
For WebEx Video Participation/Attendance:
Link: https://us-courts.webex.com/meet/hale
For WebEx Telephonic Only Participation/Attendance:
Dial-In: 1-650-479-3207 Access Code: 476 420 189
2. Witness Testimony. Witnesses may not provide testimony by telephone alone (i.e. without the WebEx video function activated) except in extremely rare, emergency situations in which the Court determines that cause exists to waive the prohibition or where such form of testimony has been pre-authorized by the Court.
3. Protocol for Joining Hearing; Conduct During Hearing. Attendees should join the WebEx hearing at least 10 minutes prior to the hearing start time. Please be advised that a hearing may already be in progress and the Court’s telephonic and videoconference lines are live. During hearings, attendees are required to keep their lines on mute at all times that they are not addressing the Court or otherwise actively participating in the hearing. The Court reserves the right to disconnect or place on permanent mute any attendee who causes any disruption to the proceedings before the Court. For general information and tips with respect to WebEx participation and attendance, please see Clerk’s Notice 20-04 at: https://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/sites/txnb/files/hearings/Webex%20Information%20and%20Tips_0.pdf
4. Exhibits. Any party intending to introduce documentary evidence at the hearing must file an exhibit list in the case with a true and correct copy of each designated exhibit filed as a separate, individual attachment thereto so that the Court and all participants have ready access to all designated exhibits. For any witness who is to be called to testify remotely, the party calling the witness is responsible for supplying the witness with all designated exhibits for the hearing.
5. Disclaimer. The Court cannot and does not guarantee that telephonic service and computer connectivity will not be interrupted during the course of a hearing. Those who elect to participate in a hearing by remote means do so at their own risk understanding that except in extremely rare circumstances the Court will not entertain a request for continuance of the hearing based upon technological failure or any disadvantage experienced on account of an election to attend remotely instead of in person.
Telephonic appearances via Courtcall - Parties who wish to appear via telephone in Judge Hale's court via Courtcall, an independent conference-call company that provides conference-call services for our Court, must pre-register with CourtCall at (866) 582-6878 or courtconference@courtcall.com prior to the hearing. It is not necessary to submit a written request or obtain court approval in advance. Deadlines: Participants must register for the appearance by 3:30 PM the day prior to the scheduled hearing and join the call no later than ten (10) minutes prior to the hearing time. There is a small fee for the service. If registering for an appearance AFTER the 3:30 PM deadline, please send a courtesy email to hdh_settings@txnb.uscourts.gov to alert the courtroom deputy so that the Courtcall information may be added to Judge Hale's calendar for use during the hearing. The email should include the case number, the debtor's name, the hearing date, the hearing time.
Phone Etiquette: To ensure the quality of the call and recording of the proceedings, a landline should be used if at all possible; the speaker option should not be used. Also, please use the mute feature on your phone if available. On every occasion before speaking, you must identify yourself for the Record.
Exceptions to Phone Participation: The Court will not permit the examination of witnesses via telephone. Counsel wishing to examine witnesses will need to appear in person in the courtroom. Exceptions must be requested via an email to hdh_settings@txnb.uscourts.gov and will be considered on a case-by-case basis by Judge Hale.
Trial Docket Call & Trial Dates
Trial Week
Counsel may utilize a self-calendaring procedure for the scheduling of motions/applications in the Wichita Falls division. This procedure will allow counsel to self-select available dates and times on the appropriate judge's calendar and serve notice without contacting the courtroom deputy for a hearing setting. The Court strongly encourages the use of this self-calendaring procedure when appropriate.
If you anticipate that your matter will take more than one hour of court time, please advise Jenni Bergreen, Courtroom Deputy to Judge Hale, by e-mail at hdh_settings@txnb.uscourts.gov at least two business days prior to the docket call.
The Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas recognizes the importance of providing opportunities for junior lawyers to gain experience and training in courtroom skills. Accordingly, it is the policy of this Court that, where junior lawyers are familiar with the matter before the court, but are not experienced in arguing in court, they should be encouraged to attend and participate. In such circumstances, where it creates an opportunity for a junior lawyer to argue, this Court is amenable to permitting more than one lawyer to argue for a party.
Other opportunities for junior lawyers include attending and participating in first day matters in chapter 11 cases and presenting some of the motions before the court, going over the agenda with the court for cases in which more than one hearing is scheduled, and attending to other uncontested matters. On the latter point, this Court does not consider it a waste of judicial time for a junior lawyer to handle in an efficient manner an uncontested matter.
The self-calendaring procedure for Wichita Falls is as follows:
Types of proceedings that may be set in accordance with the self-calendar procedures:
All motions in Adversary Proceedings, Chapter 7, and Chapter 11 cases (including Motion For Relief From Stay) EXCEPT AS NOTED BELOW:
The self-calendaring procedures for Chapter 13 cases:
Chapter 13 Chapter motions (except motions for relief from stay) may not be self-calendared. Parties shall contact the Chapter 13 Trustee, Katherine Davis, at 806-748-1980. Note: Settings must comply with Chp. 13 office procedures and requirements. Setting information may also be obtained on their website at www.ch13-12westtex.org .
Procedure
NOTE: There may be instances where self-calendared matters are rescheduled possibly due to docket congestion or unforeseen schedule changes. In these instances the courtroom deputy will contact counsel for the movant as soon as possible so that an amended notice of hearing may be filed.
All self-calendared matters in the Wichita Falls Division shall be set on the Court's dockets as determined by the type of setting and the type of case as shown below:
CHAPTERS 7, 9, 11, Adversary Proceedings - trial docket call, trial, status conference, applications, motions (including motions for relief from stay)
May 19, 2022 at 10:00 AM (Video Docket) - Webex hearing link: https://us-courts.webex.com/meet/hale . Dial-ins (Us/Canada): 1-650-479-3207, Access Code: 476 420 189. The Court requests parties review the Webex Hearing Instructions prior to the hearing. The Webex Hearing Instructions may be accessed here: https://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/judges-info/hearing-dates/judge-hales-hearing-date June 23, 2022 at 10:00 AM (Video Docket) - Webex hearing link: https://us-courts.webex.com/meet/hale . Dial-ins (Us/Canada): 1-650-479-3207, Access Code: 476 420 189. The Court requests parties review the Webex Hearing Instructions prior to the hearing. The Webex Hearing Instructions may be accessed here: https://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/judges-info/hearing-dates/judge-hales-hearing-date July 21, 2022 at 9:00 AM (Live Docket Room 222) August 18, 2022 at 9:00 AM (Live Docket Room 222) September 22, 2022 at 10:00 AM (Video Docket) - Webex hearing link: https://us-courts.webex.com/meet/hale . Dial-ins (Us/Canada): 1-650-479-3207, Access Code: 476 420 189. The Court requests parties review the Webex Hearing Instructions prior to the hearing. The Webex Hearing Instructions may be accessed here: https://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/judges-info/hearing-dates/judge-hales-hearing-date October 13, 2022 at 9:00 AM (Live Docket Room 222)
CHAPTER 13 (and CHAPTER 12) matters including Motions for Relief from Stay, to Extend Stay, and to Impose Stay
May 19, 2022 at 10:00 AM (Video Docket) - Webex hearing link: https://us-courts.webex.com/meet/hale . Dial-ins (Us/Canada): 1-650-479-3207, Access Code: 476 420 189. The Court requests parties review the Webex Hearing Instructions prior to the hearing. The Webex Hearing Instructions may be accessed here: https://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/judges-info/hearing-dates/judge-hales-hearing-date June 23, 2022 at 10:00 AM (Video Docket) - Webex hearing link: https://us-courts.webex.com/meet/hale . Dial-ins (Us/Canada): 1-650-479-3207, Access Code: 476 420 189. The Court requests parties review the Webex Hearing Instructions prior to the hearing. The Webex Hearing Instructions may be accessed here: https://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/judges-info/hearing-dates/judge-hales-hearing-date July 21, 2022 at 10:00 AM (Live Docket Room 222) August 18, 2022 at 10:00 AM (Live Docket Room 222) September 22, 2022 at 10:00 AM (Video Docket) - Webex hearing link: https://us-courts.webex.com/meet/hale . Dial-ins (Us/Canada): 1-650-479-3207, Access Code: 476 420 189. The Court requests parties review the Webex Hearing Instructions prior to the hearing. The Webex Hearing Instructions may be accessed here: https://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/judges-info/hearing-dates/judge-hales-hearing-date October 13, 2022 at 10:00 AM (Live Docket Room 222)
PRE-HEARING CONFERENCES:
Chapter 13 matters which require a pre-hearing conference shall be noticed for 8:30 AM at one of the following locations:
LIVE dockets - U.S. Federal Courthouse, 1000 Lamar Street, Room 303, Wichita Falls, TX 76301 VIDEO dockets - Go-To-Meeting: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/774701413 . Dial in: 1 (312) 757-3121 Access Code: 774-701-413
EXHIBITS:
Any party intending to introduce documentary evidence at a video hearing must file an exhibit list in the case with a true and correct copy of each designated exhibit filed as a separate, individual attachment thereto so that the Court and all participants have ready access to all designated exhibits. For any witness who is to be called to testify remotely, the party calling the witness is responsible for supplying the witness with all designated exhibits for the hearing. If paper copies of exhibits are presented to the Court during a live hearing, a copy for the law clerk, the witness, and opposing counsel must also be provided.
Requests for Telephonic Appearance
It is not necessary to submit a written request or obtain court approval to make a telephonic appearance. Procedures regarding telephonica appearances in Judge Hale's Court are as follows:
Live Dockets: Parties who wish to appear via telephone in Judge Hale's court at a live docket must pre-register with CourtCall, an independent conference call company that provides conference call services for our court, at (866) 582-6878 or courtconference@courtcall.com prior to the hearing. Deadlines: Participants must pre-register with CourtCall by 3:30 PM the day prior to the scheduled hearing and join the call no later than ten (10) minutes prior to the hearing time. There is a small fee for the service. If pre-registration is obtained AFTER the 3:30 PM deadline, please send a courtesy email to the courtroom deputy (hdh_settings@txnb.uscourts.gov) to ensure the court is aware of the telephonic appearance. When sending an email to the court, please include the case number, the debtor's name, the hearing date, and the hearing time on the subject line.
Video Dockets: Parties who wish to appear via telephone at a video docket must use the Webex dial-in number: 1-650-479-3207 and input Access Code 476 420 189 when prompted.
Phone Etiquette: To ensure the quality of the call and of the Record, a landline should be used if at all possible; the speaker option should not be used. On every occasion before speaking, you must identify yourself for the Court and for the Record. The mute feature should be used unless/until speaking on the Record.
Exceptions to Phone Participation: The Court will not permit the examination of witnesses via telephone. Counsel wishing to examine witnesses must appear in person in the courtroom. Exceptions must be requested via an email to hdh_settings@txnb.uscourts.gov and will be considered on a case-by-case basis by Judge Hale.
Judge Hale’s chambers are located at 1100 Commerce Street, Room 1421, Dallas, TX 75242-1496.
Dallas Hearings
Live/In-Person Dockets: US Bankruptcy Court, 1100 Commerce Street, 14th Floor, Courtroom No. 3, Dallas, TX, 75242
Webex Video Dockets: https://us-courts.webex.com/meet/hale; Webex dial-in: (US/Canada) 1-650-479-3207; Access code: 476 420 189
Wichita Falls Hearings
Live/In-Person Dockets - US Federal Courthouse, 1000 Lamar Street, Room 222, Wichita Falls, TX, 76301
Webex Video Dockets - Webex video: https://us-courts.webex.com/meet/hale; Webex dial-in: (US/Canada) 1-650-479-3207; Access code: 476 420 189
Please refer to the Dallas and Wichita Falls Chapter 13 trustees' websites for pre-hearing conference locatons.
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Most motions are scheduled with at least 24-day notice. Disclosure statements and Chapter 11 plans are scheduled with at least 31-day notice. Claim objections are scheduled with at least 33-day notice. Omnibus claim objections are scheduled with at least 43-day notice.
All settings, except those matters that meet the self-calendaring criteria, are obtained from the courtroom deputy in advance of the filing of the motion or application. Please file a notice of hearing within 48 hours of obtaining a setting.
Settings requiring 15 minutes or less of court time may be self-calendared. The Court encourages the self-calendaring of matters that meet the self-calendaring criteria. Judge Hale’s self-calendaring procedures may be reviewed online at: http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/content/judge-harlin-d-hale.
1. General Information. The Court is currently providing remote access to certain hearings through the Court’s Webex videoconference facilities. Parties, counsel, and other parties in interest are permitted to attend and participate in hearings by videoconference and telephone without prior permission of the Court subject to compliance with the procedures and requirements set forth in General Order 2021-06 issued 6/14/2021: https://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/court-info/general-orders . The following matters will be conducted exclusively via video video and Webex dial-in for Judge Hale's court: Trial docket call, Chapter 13 contested matters, preliminary lift-stays/extend stays/impose stays, first-day motions in Chapter 11 cases, all hearings in complex Chapter 11 cases, hearings set on an emergency basis, and status conferences. Those who plan to actively participate in a Webex hearing are encouraged to attend the hearing in the Webex video mode using the Webex video link below. Those who will not be seeking to introduce evidence at the hearing nor conduct examination and who wish to attend in a telephonic-only mode may attend the hearing in the Webex telephone mode using the Webex dial-in number and access code below.
For WebEx Telephonic Participation/Attendance:
Webex Video and Webex Telephonic Hearing Policy for Wichta Falls Hearings
Live/In-Person Dockets: Those who will not be seeking to introduce evidence, conduct examination, nor offer testimonay and who wish to attend via telephone at a Wichita Falls live docket may contact Courtcall at (866) 582-6878 or courtconference@courtcall.com to pre-register for their telephonic appearances and to obtain the dial-in information. It is not necessary to submit a written request or obtain court approval in advance. Deadlines: Participants must pre-register for the appearance by 3:30 PM the day prior to the scheduled hearing and join the call no later than ten (10) minutes prior to the hearing time. There is a small fee for the service. If registering for an appearance AFTER the 3:30 PM deadline, please send a courtesy email to hdh_settings@txnb.uscourts.gov to alert the courtroom deputy so that the late telephonic appearance may be added to Judge Hale's docket. The subject line of the email should include the case number, the debtor's name, the hearing date, the hearing time, and the name of the party who will be making the telephonic appearance.
Phone Etiquette: To ensure the quality of the call and recording of the proceedings, a landline should be used if at all possible; the speaker option should not be used. Also, please use the mute feature on your phone unless speaking on the Record. On every occasion before speaking, you must identify yourself for the Record.
Video Dockets: The Court is currently providing telephonic access to Wichita Falls video dockets through the Court’s Webex video conference facilities. Parties, counsel, and other parties in interest are permitted to attend and participate in hearings via Webex videoconference and telephone without prior permission of the Court. Those who plan to actively participate in a Webex hearing are encouraged to attend the hearing in the Webex video mode using the Webex video link below. Those who will not be seeking to introduce any evidence at the hearing nor conduct examination, nor offering testimony and who wish to attend in a telephonic-only mode may attend the hearing in the Webex telephone mode using the Webex dial-in number and access code below:
2. Witness Testimony. Witnesses may not provide testimony by telephone alone (i.e. without the Webex video function activated) except in extremely rare, emergency situations in which the Court determines that cause exists to waive the prohibition or where such form of testimony has been pre-authorized by the Court.
3. Protocol for Joining Hearing; Conduct During Hearing. Attendees should join the Webex hearing at least 10 minutes prior to the hearing start time. Please be advised that a hearing may already be in progress and the Court’s telephonic and videoconference lines are live. During hearings attendees are required to keep their lines on mute at all times that they are not addressing the Court or otherwise actively participating in the hearing. The Court reserves the right to disconnect or place on permanent mute any attendee who causes any disruption to the proceedings before the Court. For general information and tips with respect to Webex participation and attendance, please review the Wichita Falls Webex Hearing Instructions and tips posted on Judge Hale's webpage: https://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/judges-info/hearing-dates/judge-hales-hearing-dates
Please notify the courtroom deputy by email to hdh_settings@txnb.uscourts.gov 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/content/cmecf-user-manual. Certificates of conference are helpful to the Court in evaluating whether parties in interest have been contacted and what positions, if any, they may have with regard to the expedited request.
After Judge Hale has reviewed the pleadings, a member of Judge Hale’s staff will contact the filing party with setting information. The movant should promptly file and serve a notice of hearing. In most instances a proposed order will not be required; the ECF docket text will be modified to reflect the Court’s ruling.
Dallas cases: The U.S. Trustee’s docket is generally scheduled for the fourth Thursday of the month at 9:00 AM. Hearings are scheduled by the U.S. Trustee’s office.
Wichita Falls cases: The U.S. Trustee’s office shall schedule hearings to coincide with Judge Hale’s Wichita Falls docket dates/times posted on Judge Hale’s web page at: http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/content/judge-harlin-d-hale.
The Chapter 13 Trustee’s office prepares the docket, conducts pre-hearing conferences, and provides the Court with a list of unresolved matters that will be brought before the Court for hearing. Pre-hearing conference dates and times may be obtained from the Chapter 13 Trustee’s office or from the Court’s web page at: http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/content/judge-harlin-d-hale.
Dallas Cases: The Chapter 13 Trustee’s docket is usually scheduled for the fourth Thursday of the month. Pre-hearing conferences take place at the Chapter 13 office at 125 E. John Carpenter Frwy., Suite 1100, Irving, Texas, 75062 at 8:30 AM
Wichita Falls Cases: The Chapter 13 Trustee’s docket is usually scheduled on the second Wednesday of the month. Pre-hearing conferences take place at the US Federal Courthouse at 1000 Lamar Street, Room 208, Wichita Falls, Texas, 76301 at 8:30 AM.
Chapter 13 matters which require longer evidentiary hearings are generally scheduled for a special setting. Movant’s should conference with the Chapter 13 trustee to determine mutually agreeable dates and then email the courtroom deputy at hdh_settings@txnb.uscourts.gov for a setting.
Once matters have been noticed for hearing or set by court order, continuances or removals may only be obtained when the interested parties are in agreement to the continuance or by court order. Movant shall either file an agreed motion or send an email to the courtroom deputy with a copy to all interested parties. The Court’s docket will be annotated to reflect the announcement, and counsel will be excused from appearing at the hearing. If parties do not agree to a continuance, the moving party shall file a motion to continue for the Court to consider. The courtroom deputy will contact movant with further instructions.
For settlements and agreed orders obviating the need for a hearing, the movant shall email the courtroom deputy prior to the hearing to make the announcement. The Court’s docket will be annotated to reflect the announcement, and counsel will be excused from appearing at the hearing.
A motion for clerk’s entry of default shall be filed and clerk’s entry of default issued prior to plaintiff motioning the Court for default judgment. A hearing is required and shall be set prior to trial docket call. Self-calendar settings may be obtained on Judge Hale’s webpage at: http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/judges-info/hearing-dates/judge-hales-hearing-dates
Motions for summary judgment require a hearing and shall be set prior to trial docket call. Settings may be obtained by emailing the courtroom deputy at hdh_settings@txnb.uscourts.gov..
Non-small business cases - When filing a Chapter 11 plan and disclosure statement in non-small business cases, counsel shall contact the courtroom deputy for a setting on the disclosure statement and file a notice of hearing (a motion is not required).
Small business cases – When filing a Chapter 11 plan and disclosure statement in a small business case, counsel shall seek conditional approval of the disclosure statement by the U.S. Trustee prior to contacting the courtroom deputy to obtain a setting for final approval of the disclosure statement and plan confirmation. Counsel shall upload an order granting conditional approval of the disclosure statement. The order shall set the hearing date/time/location for final approval of the disclosure statement and confirmation hearing and shall include the U.S. Trustee’s signature.
Dallas cases: Preliminary hearings on motions to lift/annul/modify the automatic stay are set on the dates provided in Judge Hale’s self-calendaring procedures available on Judge Hale’s webpage: http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/content/judge-harlin-d-hale. Hearings shall be scheduled with 17-day notice.
Motions to lift/annul/modify the automatic stay will be removed from the Court’s preliminary lift-stay docket prior to the hearing upon the ECF filing of a notice of announcement regarding lift stay motion. This event may be utilized by the movant to announce an agreement, default, or agreed pass to another preliminary hearing. The deadline for announcements in Judge Hale’s court is 11:59 PM the day prior to the hearing. Announcements received by the deadline will be annotated on the Court’s docket, and counsel will be excused from appearing at the hearing. If a notice of announcement is not filed by the deadline, an appearance at the hearing by the movant’s counsel will be necessary.
Information and instructions re notice of announcement may be reviewed online in the CM/ECF User Manuel GoLive Guide dated February 20, 2015: http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/content/cmecf-user-manual/
Parties, by agreement, may obtain a setting for a final hearing by emailing the courtroom deputy at hdh_settings@txnb.uscourts.gov. For calendaring purposes a time estimate is helpful when sending an email request for a final hearing. Final hearings, by agreement of the parties, may be rescheduled or removed from the Court’s docket by emailing the courtroom deputy. Interested parties should be copied on the email.
Wichita Falls cases: Hearings on motions to lift/annul/modify the automatic stay are set on the dates provided in Judge Hale’s Wichita Falls self-calendaring procedures available on Judge Hale’s webpage: http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/content/judge-harlin-d-hale. If evidence is to be presented at a lift-stay hearing or more than 15 minutes is required, the motion should be set for hearing on a live-docket date. For motions requiring more than 15 minutes, movant shall provide the courtroom deputy with a time estimate via email to: hdh_settings@txnb.uscourts.gov.
Non evidentiary hearings on motions to lift/annul/modify the automatic stay will be removed from the Court’s docket prior to the hearing upon the ECF filing of a notice of removal regarding lift stay motion. This event may be utilized by the movant to announce an agreement, default, or agreed pass to another preliminary hearing. The deadline for announcements in Judge Hale’s court is 11:59 PM the day prior to the hearing. Announcements received by the deadline will be annotated on the Court’s docket, and counsel will be excused from appearing at the hearing. If a notice of announcement is not filed by the deadline, an appearance by the movant’s counsel at the Chapter 13 trustee’s pre-hearing conference will be necessary.
Information and instructions re Notice of Announcement may be reviewed online in the CM/ECF User Manuel GoLive Guide dated February 20, 2015: http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/content/cmecf-user-manual/
Final hearings, by agreement of the parties, may be rescheduled or removed from the Court’s docket by emailing the courtroom deputy at hdh_settings@txnb.uscourts.gov. Interested parties should be copied on the email.
Motions to vacate dismissal order and reinstate case shall be set for hearing with 24-day notice. Chapter 13 motions shall be set for pre-hearing conference on the Chapter 13 docket.
If the case was dismissed for deficient documents and the deficiency has been cured, the Court will review the motion and may reinstate the case without a hearing. An order need not be uploaded. The courtroom deputy will contact the attorney if a hearing is required.
Motions to extend time to file schedules and statements may be considered without a hearing. The motion should clearly state the proposed deadline. The proposed deadline should be prior to the 341 meeting. In Chapter 11 cases Judge Hale finds it helpful when a certificate of conference which references the US Trustee’s position is included. Please note: It is not necessary to upload a proposed order when filing the motion. The courtroom deputy will route a form order to the Court along with the motion for consideration.
Motions to modify mortgage loan should include: negative notice language, a copy of the loan agreement, and otherwise comply with Amended Clerk’s Notice 14-05.
Motions to reopen case for financial management course certificate may be considered by the Court without a hearing. A proposed order need not be uploaded. The courtroom deputy will contact the attorney if a hearing is required.
A complete paper copy of the following pleadings, including all attachments thereto and any related briefs and appendices, should be delivered within 24 hours of electronic filing to Judge Hale’s law clerk’s attention at 1100 Commerce Street, Room 1254, Dallas, Texas, 75242:
For all hearings and trials, please provide the Court with three copies of all exhibits (one for the Court and two for the judge’s law clerks) and one copy each to opposing counsel and the witness.
