Judge Christopher M. Lopez
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Not required
Exhibits
- 2 copies • Hand Delivery • Shortly Before Hearing
- Hand Delivery • In Advance Of Hearing
Adjournments
- Continuances may only be requested by motion, which must state the reason for request; parties should contact the case manager upon filing.
Request must include
Communication
Clerk
Clerk
Phone
Clerk
Document Filing Requirements8 rules
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Motions that require consideration prior to the standard 25-day review may be styled as an “Emergency Motion for _______.” Emergency motions should be filed using the “Emergency” CM/ECF event code. When filing an emergency motion, (i) please identify the date by which emergency relief is needed just below the language required by Local Bankruptcy Rule 9013(b) and (ii) include an explanation in the body of the motion setting forth why emergency consideration is required and the harm that will be suffered if emergency relief is not obtained.
Summary: Emergency motions must be styled as “Emergency Motion for _______”, filed with “Emergency” CM/ECF code, include required date and explanation of emergency need and harm.
Document Type
Emergency Motion
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If a settlement is in an adversary proceeding and requires approval pursuant to Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 9019, the 9019 motion should be filed in the main case only. A proposed form of order in the main case and a proposed form of judgment or order in the adversary proceeding should be attached to the 9019 motion.
Summary: 9019 motions for adversary proceeding settlements must be filed in the main case with attached proposed orders for both the main case and adversary proceeding.
Document Type
Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Applications for compensation and reimbursement in cases under chapter 7 must include a table containing the following information on the first page of the application: Name of Applicant: Applicant’s Role in Case: Date Order of Appointment Signed: __/__/__ (Docket No. ___) Beginning of Period End of Period Time period covered by this Application: __/__/__ __/__/__ Time period(s) covered by prior Applications: __/__/__ __/__/__ Total amounts awarded in all prior Applications: Total fees requested in this Application and in all prior Applications: Total fees requested in this Application: Total professional fees requested in this Application: Total actual professional hours covered by this Application:
Summary: Chapter 7 fee applications must include a specified table with required information on the first page of the application.
Document Type
Fee Application
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Applications for compensation and reimbursement in cases under chapters 11 or 12 must include a table containing the following information on the first page of the application: Name of Applicant: Applicant’s Role in Case: Date Order of Employment Signed: mm/dd/yy [Docket No. __] Beginning of Period End of Period Time period covered by this Application: mm/dd/yy mm/dd/yy Time period(s) covered by prior Applications: mm/dd/yy mm/dd/yy Total amounts awarded in all prior Applications: Total fees requested in this Application:
Summary: Fee applications in chapters 11 or 12 must include a specified table on the first page of the application.
Document Type
Fee Application
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Applications must (i) include a narrative description of the services performed and the benefits of those services and (ii) attach copies of all fee statements and a proposed form of order.
Summary: All fee applications must include a narrative description of services and benefits, attach all fee statements, and include a proposed order.
Document Type
Fee Application
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Pursuant to the local rules on fee applications, approved fixed fee applications do not require the filing of subsequent applications.
Summary: Approved fixed fee applications in chapter 13 cases are exempt from filing subsequent fee applications.
Document Type
Fee Application
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Otherwise, applications for compensation and reimbursement in cases under chapter 13 must include a table containing the following information on the first page of the application: Name of Applicant: Applicant’s Role in Case: Pre-Confirmation Services [_____] Post-Confirmation Services [_____] Beginning of Period End of Period Time period covered by this Application: mm/dd/yy mm/dd/yy Time period(s) covered by prior Applications: mm/dd/yy mm/dd/yy Total amounts awarded in all prior Applications: Amount of retainer received in this case: Total fees requested in this Application:
Summary: Chapter 13 fee applications (except approved fixed fee) must include a specified table on the first page of the application.
Document Type
Fee Application
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The proposed order must include the following decretal paragraph: It is ordered that [name of applicant], is awarded fees and expenses as an administrative expense for the period _______________ through ___________________ as follows: Fees: $____________________________ Expenses: $____________________________ Total: $____________________________
Summary: Proposed orders filed with fee applications must contain a specific decretal paragraph detailing the applicant, period, fees, expenses, and total amount.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Filing & Service rules
Courtesy Copy Requirements
No courtesy copies are required for pleadings filed in CM/ECF.
The Court does not require courtesy copies of pleadings filed in CM/ECF.
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Page 3 | Courtesy Copies
Two paper copies of exhibits are required at hearings, to be handed to the courtroom deputy shortly before the hearing starts.
Two paper copies of exhibits are required by the Court at the hearing, and may be handed up to the courtroom deputy shortly before the start of the hearing.
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Page 3 | Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies of exhibits may be delivered in advance of hearings to the Court’s case manager via hand delivery.
Courtesy copies of exhibits may be delivered in advance of any hearing. Please deliver courtesy copies of exhibits to the Court’s case manager. Courtesy copies may be hand delivered.
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Page 3 | Courtesy Copies
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Discovery disputes that cannot be resolved between parties should ordinarily be submitted by written motion.
Discovery disputes that cannot be resolved between the parties should ordinarily be submitted by written motion.
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Page 4 | Discovery Disputes
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Continuances may only be requested by motion, which must state the reason for request; parties should contact the case manager upon filing.
A continuance may only be requested by motion. Parties are requested to contact the Court’s case manager as soon as the motion is filed. All motions for a continuance should concisely state the reason a continuance is being requested and the amount of additional time that is needed. Until a motion for continuance is granted, all parties should assume that no continuance will occur.
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Page 3 | Continuances
Chambers Communication Rules
Ex parte communication with Judge Lopez regarding pending cases is strictly prohibited via all methods.
Ex parte communication with Judge Lopez about pending cases is strictly prohibited.
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Page 1 | Contact with the Court and Court Personnel.
All requests for relief must be filed as written pleadings with the court clerk.
All requests for relief should be in written pleadings filed with the clerk of the Court.
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Page 1 | Contact with the Court and Court Personnel.
Attorneys and pro se parties may contact the case manager via email at Rosario_Saldana@txs.uscourts.gov.
Attorneys and parties who are not represented by counsel may contact the Court’s case manager by email at Rosario_Saldana@txs.uscourts.gov or by phone at (713) 250-5645 (office) or 832-317-5942 (mobile or text).
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Page 1 | Contact with the Court and Court Personnel.
For emergencies when the case manager is out, contact the courtroom deputy via email at Zilde_Martinez@txs.uscourts.gov.
If Ms. Saldana is out of the office and you have an emergency, please contact the courtroom deputy by email at Zilde_Martinez@txs.uscourts.gov or by phone at (713) 250-5228.
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Page 1 | Contact with the Court and Court Personnel.
Correspondence to Judge Lopez not filed electronically will be entered on the public docket.
Any correspondence directed to Judge Lopez that is not filed electronically will be entered on the docket.
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Page 1 | Contact with the Court and Court Personnel.
Contact the Helpdesk at (866) 358-6201 for CM/ECF related technical questions.
Please contact the Helpdesk at (866) 358-6201 for CM/ECF related questions.
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Page 1 | Contact with the Court and Court Personnel.
Parties should contact the case manager via email to inquire about motion status if the Court has not ruled within 35 days.
If the Court has not ruled on a motion within 35 days, parties should contact the Court’s case manager to inquire about the status of the motion.
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Page 2 | Obtaining Settings for Hearings.
During an oral deposition, parties may contact the Court’s case manager by phone to request an emergency telephonic hearing.
If, however, a dispute arises during an oral deposition, a party may contact the Court’s case manager during the deposition and request an emergency telephonic hearing with the Court.
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Page 4 | Discovery Disputes