--- title: "Barbara J. Houser | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/barbara-j-houser-8968" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Barbara J. Houser U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas · U.S. Bankruptcy Judge ## Profile - Court: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas - State: Texas - Role: U.S. Bankruptcy Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court, N.D. Texas, 2000-present - Retired U.S. Bankruptcy Judge of the Northern District of Texas, appointed in 2000 and serving as Chief Judge for over a decade before her retirement in 2020 - On January 20, 2000, she was sworn in as the first female U.S. Bankruptcy Judge in the Northern District of Texas, appointed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit - Houser, Barbara J. | Federal Judicial Center Home Federal Judicial Center Search tips You are here Houser, Barbara J. Born 1954 Federal Judicial Service: U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, Northern District of Texas Appointed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, January 20, 2000 - In 1988, she moved to Sheinfeld, Maley & Kay, P.C., where she led the Dallas office and handled major national Chapter 11 cases, including as lead debtor’s counsel for Dow Corning Corporation. - After law school, she joined Locke, Purnell, Boren, Laney & Neeley in Dallas, becoming a shareholder in 1985. ### Education ### Additional information - She held the role of Chief Judge from 2005 until her retirement in May 2020. - President-elect of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges (2009–2010). - Named one of the National Law Journal’s 50 most influential women lawyers in America in 1998 - Born in 1954 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, Houser earned her B.S. with honors from the University of Nebraska in 1975 and her J.D. from Southern Methodist University School of Law in 1978. - Date of birth: 1954 - She remains active in the insolvency community through leadership roles in professional organizations ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### motion form Scope: courtwide Request an order by written motion unless the rules authorize an application or the request is made during a hearing. State the grounds with particularity and specify the requested relief or order. Evidence excerpt: A motion must state its grounds with particularity and set forth the relief or order requested. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### motion notice timing Scope: courtwide Unless a motion may be heard ex parte or another period applies, serve the written motion and hearing notice at least seven days before the hearing. Serve supporting affidavits with the motion. Evidence excerpt: A written motion (other than one that may be heard ex parte) and notice of any hearing must be served at least 7 days before the hearing date, unless the court or these rules set a different period. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### contested matter notice Scope: courtwide In a contested matter not otherwise governed by the bankruptcy rules, request relief by motion and give the opposing party reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard. A response is required only if the court orders one. Evidence excerpt: Reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard must be given to the party against whom relief is sought. No response is required unless the court orders otherwise. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### disputed fact testimony Scope: courtwide Present witness testimony on a disputed material factual issue in the same manner as testimony in an adversary proceeding. Evidence excerpt: A witness's testimony on a disputed material factual issue must be taken in the same manner as testimony in an adversary proceeding. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### evidentiary hearing notice Scope: courtwide Use the court's procedure to determine, reasonably before a scheduled hearing, whether it will be an evidentiary hearing at which witnesses may testify. Evidence excerpt: The court must provide procedures that allow parties-at a reasonable time before a scheduled hearing-to determine whether it will be an evidentiary hearing at which witnesses may testify. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### evidence rules Scope: courtwide Prepare evidence under the Federal Rules of Evidence and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 43, 44, and 44.1, which apply in bankruptcy cases. Evidence excerpt: The Federal Rules of Evidence and Fed. R. Civ. P. 43, 44, and 44.1 apply in a bankruptcy case. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### oath or affirmation Scope: courtwide A solemn affirmation may substitute when an oath is required. The national rule identifies the bankruptcy judge, clerk, deputy clerk, U.S. trustee, and other authorized officers as persons who may administer it. Evidence excerpt: If an oath is required, a solemn affirmation suffices. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8968/barbara-j-houser/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8968/barbara-j-houser/) - [U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8968/barbara-j-houser/) - [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8968/barbara-j-houser/) - [Houser, Barbara J. | Federal Judicial Center](https://www.fjc.gov/houser-barbara-j) - [Hon. Barbara J. Houser Chief Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy ...](https://www.fedbar.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/HouserJune2008-pdf-3.pdf) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/barbara-j-houser-8968", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/barbara-j-houser-8968", "name": "Barbara J. Houser | KnowJudges", "description": "Barbara J. Houser, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-10-07", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/barbara-j-houser-8968#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/barbara-j-houser-8968#judge", "name": "Barbara J. 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Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.