Judge Jeffrey P. Norman
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Not required
Communication
Clerk, Chambers
Phone
Clerk
Phone
Clerk
Phone
Document Format Requirements1 rule
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Emergency motion must contain the word “Emergency” in the title of the motion.
Summary: Emergency motions must include the word 'Emergency' in the document title.
Document Filing Requirements23 rules
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Motion to Continue Hearing must include an affidavit of conference.
Summary: Motions to Continue Hearing must include an affidavit of conference.
Document Type
Motion To Continue
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Fee Applications of not more than $1,000.00 must contain a certificate of service showing service on both the debtor(s) and Trustee if the Trustee is not the applicant. This includes fee applications for accountants and appraisers.
Summary: Fee applications not exceeding $1,000 must include a certificate of service on the debtor(s) and Trustee (if the Trustee is not the applicant).
Document Type
Fee Application
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The motion must include a detailed statement why an emergency exists and the date relief is needed to avoid the consequences of the emergency. The motion seeking an emergency hearing must be certified for its accuracy by the party seeking the emergency relief or by its counsel. Emergency motions must include the language required by BLR 9013-1.
Summary: Emergency motions must contain a detailed emergency statement, relief date, accuracy certification, and BLR 9013-1 required language.
Document Type
Emergency Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Each motion, application, objection, and response filed with the court must be accompanied by a proposed order pursuant to BLR 9013-1(h). Failure to file a proposed order can be grounds for denial of the motion.
Summary: All motions, applications, objections, and responses must include a proposed order, with failure risking motion denial.
Document Type
Motion, Application, Objection, Response
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
All motions, except those made at trial, must be made in writing and state with particularity the grounds supporting the motion and the relief or order sought. Motions should address each issue presented and follow with the pertinent facts, statutory framework, legal arguments, and the specific relief requested.
Summary: All non-trial motions must be written, state particularity grounds and relief, and include facts, statutory framework, legal arguments, and specific relief.
Document Type
Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
When all parties do not agree to a non-evidentiary status conference, a request for conference may only be requested by motion, and such motion requires an affidavit indicating the efforts the parties took to obtain consent to the conference.
Summary: If not all parties agree to non-evidentiary status conference for proof of claim objections, request must be by motion with affidavit of consent efforts.
Document Type
Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
rules require pleadings state with particularity the relief requested and the grounds for such relief, and require the pleadings be served in the same manner as a summons and complaint under Fed. R. Bank. P. 7004.
Summary: Pleadings must state with particularity the relief requested and grounds for relief.
Document Type
Pleading
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
A motion for authorization to use cash collateral must consist of a concise statement of the relief requested and must include: (i) the name of each entity with an interest in the cash collateral; (ii) the purposes for the use of the cash collateral; (iii) the material terms, including duration, of the use of the cash collateral; and (iv) any liens, cash payments, or other adequate protection that will be provided to each entity with an interest in the cash collateral or, if no additional adequate protection is proposed, an explanation of why each entity’s interest is adequately protected [i.e., why additional protection is not required]. (v) Any relationship of the creditor to the debtor, the nature and source of the cash collateral, and budgets or cash flow projections.
Summary: Cash collateral motions must include concise relief statement and specified details on interested entities, purpose, terms, adequate protection, creditor relationship, and budgets.
Document Type
Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Orders 1. That debtor has complied with all applicable service requirements. 2. That the secured creditor asserts a lien or interest in cash collateral, the priority of any such lien or the nature of any such interest, and the amount of indebtedness allegedly secured by the cash collateral or the extent of such interest. 3. Identification of the assets that are generating or will generate cash collateral. 4. That debtor has an immediate need for the use of cash collateral or debtor in possession financing, as applicable, including the reason for that immediate need (e.g. to preserve assets of the estate, to fund business operations, to purchase inventory, etc.). 5. That debtor reaffirms the existing terms and conditions of financing documents with secured creditor or other applicable documents establishing an interest in cash collateral.
Summary: Cash collateral orders must include five specific findings regarding service, liens, assets, debtor need, and financing terms.
Document Type
Cash Collateral Order
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
There is no required form Sub V Chapter 11 Plan, however, the Court requires that the plan include Financial Projections [Exhibit A] and a Liquidation Analysis [Exhibit B], suggested forms are available for download on the Court’s website.
Summary: Sub V Chapter 11 plans must include Financial Projections (Exhibit A) and Liquidation Analysis (Exhibit B).
Document Type
Sub V Chapter 11 Plan
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
h. An itemization of expenses.
Summary: Applications for compensation must include an itemization of expenses.
Document Type
Application
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Exhibits that are to be entered as evidence must be filed on CM/ECF with an exhibit list prior to the hearing.
Summary: Exhibits to be entered into evidence must be filed on CM/ECF with an exhibit list before the hearing.
Document Type
Exhibit
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
g. Attached to the application shall be a chronological listing of all the time for which the application is requesting compensation,
Summary: Applications for compensation must include a chronological listing of all requested compensation time.
Document Type
Application
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Exhibit lists must be filed and exchanged prior to hearings pursuant to BLR 9013-2.
Summary: Exhibit lists must be filed and exchanged prior to hearings per BLR 9013-2.
Document Type
Exhibit List
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
A witness and exhibit list should be filed as a document, with each exhibit being filed as a separate attachment to the witness and exhibit list.
Summary: Witness and exhibit lists must be filed as a single document with each exhibit as a separate attachment.
Document Type
Witness And Exhibit List
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
After entry of default by the Clerk, the plaintiff may file a Motion for Default Judgment pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 55(b)(2), accompanied by a proposed form of Default Judgment.
Summary: Motion for Default Judgment must be accompanied by a proposed form of Default Judgment.
Document Type
Motion For Default Judgment
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The motion should also state the exact factual or legal grounds for an amended order.
Summary: Motions to amend signed orders must state the exact factual or legal grounds for the amendment.
Document Type
Motion To Amend Order
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The motion to amend should be filed with the proposed amended order.
Summary: Motions to amend signed orders must be filed with the proposed amended order.
Document Type
Motion To Amend Order
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Consent or agreed orders in Chapter 12 or 13 cases require the signature of the Chapter 12 or 13 Trustee.
Summary: Consent or agreed orders in Chapter 12 or 13 cases must include the Chapter 12 or 13 Trustee's signature.
Document Type
Consent Or Agreed Order
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
If a settlement is in an adversary proceeding and requires approval pursuant to Fed. R. Bank. P. 9019, such motion should be filed in the main case only.
Summary: 9019 motions for adversary proceeding settlements must be filed in the main case.
Document Type
9019 Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
A proposed form of order in the main case and a proposed form of judgment or order in the adversary proceeding must be attached to the 9019 motion.
Summary: 9019 motions must include attached proposed main case order and adversary proceeding judgment/order.
Document Type
9019 Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The order must designate a mediator and set forth any specific conditions the parties have agreed to and want included in the order.
Summary: Agreed orders must designate the mediator and include all agreed-upon specific conditions.
Document Type
Agreed Order
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The parties should file a motion for agreed entry with an accompanying agreed order.
Summary: Motions for agreed entry must be filed with an accompanying agreed order.
Document Type
Motion For Agreed Entry
Filing & Service rules
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies are not required by the Court under any circumstances.
The Court does not require courtesy copies.
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Page 1 | Contact with Court and Court Personnel.
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Adversary proceeding motions are governed by FRCP and FRBP, not subject to negative notice, court sets hearing and response deadline, may rule without hearing after response deadline.
Motions filed in adversary proceedings are not subject to the negative notice requirements of main bankruptcy cases and shall be governed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure. The Court will set all motions in adversary proceedings for hearing and will also set a response deadline. At the expiration of the response deadline, the Court may rule without the necessity of a hearing based on responsive pleadings.
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Page 5 | Applicable Rules
Court deviates from BLR 3007(d) for proof of claim objections; evidentiary hearing proceeds on initial date if objection and response are filed.
With respect to hearings on objections to proofs of claim, this Court intends to deviate from BLR 3007(d). When an objection to a proof of claim and response have been filed, the Court intends to move forward with an evidentiary hearing on the initially set hearing date.
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Page 5 | Applicable Rules
Debtors must provide at least 48 hours notice of cash collateral motions and expedited hearings to specified parties via email/phone/fax and Fed. R. Bank. P. 7004.
Debtor must provide no less than 48 hours’ notice of the motion and any expedited hearing thereon to the United States Trustee and Subchapter V Trustee [if appointed], debtor’s twenty largest unsecured creditors, the attorneys for any committee that may be appointed by the Court, any creditor asserting a secured claim or other interest in cash collateral against debtor (and its attorneys if known), and the Internal Revenue Service, any potentially affected taxing authorities, and any other creditor or party in interest directly affected by the relief sought on an emergency or first day basis. At a minimum, such notice should also be provided by email, telephone, or fax and in the manner provided under Fed. R. Bank. P. 7004.
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Page 6 | Chapter 11 Cash Collateral Motions
Counsel should set Chapter 11 Applications to Employ for hearing and may seek expedited consideration.
Therefore, counsel should set any Application to Employ for hearing and seek, if desired, expedited consideration.
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Page 5 | Chapter 11 Practice
Debtors should request emergency consideration for first day motions in Chapter 11 cases.
Debtors should always request emergency consideration of first day motions.
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Page 5 | Chapter 11 Practice
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Continuances require motion with affidavit of consent efforts if parties disagree; agreed continuances may be granted without motion.
Continuances may be requested and granted without a motion if all parties are in agreement. When all parties do not agree to a continuance, a continuance may only be requested by motion, and such motion requires an affidavit indicating the efforts the parties took to obtain consent to the continuance. The Court may deny a continuance request even if all parties have agreed to the continuance.
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Page 10 | 7. Continuances.
Chambers Communication Rules
Contact with Judge Norman and his law clerks is prohibited except via pleadings filed with the clerk.
Unless otherwise permitted in these Courtroom Procedures, contact with Judge Norman and his law clerks, other than by pleadings, is strictly prohibited.
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Page 1 | Contact with Court and Court Personnel.
Communications with the Court must be via pleadings filed with the clerk of court.
Communications with the Court should be in the form of pleadings filed with the clerk of court.
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Page 1 | Contact with Court and Court Personnel.
Parties must jointly email chambers at tracey_conrad@txs.uscourts.gov to request agreed continuances; no reply means hearing proceeds as scheduled.
Parties seeking a continuance must jointly email chambers consenting to a continuance. Emails should be addressed to tracey_conrad@txs.uscourts.gov. The parties will receive a reply email indicating whether the Court grants or denies the continuance request. If the parties do not receive a reply email, they should assume that the hearing will go forward as scheduled.
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Page 10 | 7. Continuances.
Late filed agreed orders require email notice to the Court’s Case Manager at tracey_conrad@txs.uscourts.gov and Courtroom Deputy before the hearing.
Notice of late filed Agreed Orders should be emailed to the Court’s Case Manager tracey_conrad@txs.uscourts.gov and Courtroom Deputy for entry prior to the scheduled hearing.
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Page 4
If Case Manager Tracey Conrad is out of office, contact the courtroom deputy via phone at (713) 250-5772.
If Ms. Conrad is out of the office, you may contact the courtroom deputy at (713) 250- 5772.
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Page 1 | Contact with Court and Court Personnel.
The Clerk’s office may be contacted via phone at (713) 250-5500.
Chambers’ main line number is (713) 250-5252, or you may contact the Clerk’s office at (713) 250-5500.
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Page 1 | Contact with Court and Court Personnel.
Attorneys and pro se parties may contact Case Manager Tracey Conrad via email at tracey_conrad@txs.uscourts.gov.
Attorneys and parties who are not represented by counsel may contact the Court’s Case Manager, Tracey Conrad, at tracey_conrad@txs.uscourts.gov or (713) 250- 5772.
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Page 1 | Contact with Court and Court Personnel.
Email notice of filed emergency motions or expedited hearing requests may be sent to tracey_conrad@txs.uscourts.gov for chambers awareness.
Notice that an emergency motion or a request for an expedited hearing has been filed may be sent via email to tracey_conrad@txs.uscourts.gov as they may not be seen by chambers staff until the next business day.
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Page 4
Parties agreeing to non-evidentiary status conference for proof of claim objections may contact case manager Tracey Conrad via email per continuance procedures.
If the parties agree that a non-evidentiary status conference pursuant to BLR 3007(d) should initially be held instead, they may contact Judge Norman’s case manager Tracey Conrad via email pursuant to the Court’s procedures for continuances.
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Page 5 | Applicable Rules
Parties may contact the Court at (713) 250-5252 during oral depositions to request telephonic hearings for discovery disputes.
However, if a dispute arises during an oral deposition, a party may contact the Court at (713) 250-5252 during the deposition and request a telephonic hearing.
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Page 12 | 12. Discovery Disputes.