--- title: "Barry Russell | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/barry-russell-8703" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Barry Russell U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California · U.S. Bankruptcy Judge ## Profile - Court: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California - State: California - 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, C.D. California, 1971-present - Chief Judge of the Central District of California Bankruptcy Court — 2003–2006 and also led the Ninth Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel — 1988–2001 ### Education - University of California, Los Angeles — J.D. (1966) - B.S. — University of California, Los Angeles, in 1962 and his LL.B. from the UCLA School of Law in 1966 ### Additional information - In 2012, he was honored as the most senior bankruptcy judge in active service in the U.S - Lifetime Achievement Award, Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors (2008) - Outstanding Jurist Award, Los Angeles County Bar Association (2004) - Emil Gumpert Judicial ADR Award, Los Angeles County Bar Association (2000) - Franklin N. Flaschner Judicial Award, American Bar Association (1987) - U.S. Bankruptcy Judge — following the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 - Appointed to the federal bench in 1974 as a bankruptcy referee, becoming the youngest in the country at age 33, and later transitioned to a bankruptcy judge following the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 - Bachelor of Science in Engineering (1962) - After one year's time, he moved on to a position with the Los Angeles County Office of the Public Defender - Civil servant for his entire professional career - Began his legal career at the U.S. Treasury Department, then held the role of a deputy public defender in Los Angeles County, and later as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Criminal Division of the Central District of California, where he tried numerous cases and argued appeals before the Ninth Circuit - His first legal job was with the U.S. Treasury Department - Three years later, he became an assistant U.S. attorney with the Department of Justice, where he remained until he was called to the bench ## 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/8703/barry-russell/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8703/barry-russell/) - [U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8703/barry-russell/) - [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/8703/barry-russell/) - [U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Barry Russell of Central District of ...](https://www.cacb.uscourts.gov/sites/cacb/files/documents/judges/Russell_Reappointed.pdf) - [Barry Russell](https://ballotpedia.org/Barry_Russell) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/barry-russell-8703", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/barry-russell-8703", "name": "Barry Russell | KnowJudges", "description": "Barry Russell, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California. 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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.