---
title: "Charles Novack | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/charles-novack-8722"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Charles Novack

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California · U.S. Bankruptcy Judge

## Profile

- Court: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California
- State: California
- Role: U.S. Bankruptcy Judge
- Service status: former
- 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. California, 2010-present
- Leadership: held the role of Chief Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District from 2019 to 2022
- Charles D. Novack is a judge on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California, appointed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on May 13, 2010 to a renewable 14‐year term
- 1994–2005: Associate, then partner, at Kornfield, Paul & Nyberg
- 1991–1993: Judicial law clerk to Hon. Randall J. Newsome, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of California
- Official court site: U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of California – Judge Charles D. Novack
- He also taught as an associate professor at California State University, East Bay

### Education

- J.D. — University of California at Hastings

### Additional information

- Term: 2010–2038 (renewable)
- Reappointed in May 2024 for a second 14‐year term, effective May 13, 2024.
- The Northern District bankruptcy court processed 4,883 filings in 2023.
- 2005–2010: Sole practitioner,.
- Earlier in his career, he practiced general civil litigation before shifting to bankruptcy law.
- Chambers: Oakland, CA
- Before joining the bench, Novack had a 16‐year career in private practice in Oakland
- focusing on bankruptcy matters for debtors, creditors, and trustees.
- Specialty: Handles all bankruptcy-related matters under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, including Chapters 7, 9, 11, and 13.
- Prior to joining the court, Novack worked in private practice in Oakland, California for 16 years, where he focused on bankruptcy matters.

## 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

### technology walkthrough

Scope: courtwide

The Northern District of California publishes guidance advising counsel to fully test their equipment and schedule a courtroom visit to test it before the proceeding.

Evidence excerpt: The court highly recommends that counsel be familiar their equipment and fully test prior to using anything in the courtroom. ... schedule a visit in the courtroom to test everything before the proceeding.

[Courtroom Technology](https://cand.uscourts.gov/attorneys/courtroom-technology)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### specialized evidence software

Scope: courtwide

For e-evidence requiring specialized software, the Northern District of California publishes a process for at least two business days' advance notice through the Courtroom Deputy and approval by the judge and Court IT.

Evidence excerpt: at least two (2) business days advance notice, counsel may request via the Courtroom Deputy that the specialized software be loaded by counsel prior to use of the system. If the judge and the court’s IT Department approve...

[Courtroom Technology](https://cand.uscourts.gov/attorneys/courtroom-technology)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### 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/8722/charles-novack/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8722/charles-novack/)
- [U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8722/charles-novack/)
- [Courtroom Technology](https://cand.uscourts.gov/attorneys/courtroom-technology)
- [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/8722/charles-novack/)
- [Charles Novack - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Charles_Novack#:~:text=California%20at%20Hastings.-,Career,California%20State%20University%2C%20East%20Bay.)
- [Announcement Archive: Charles Novack Retirement](https://www.canb.uscourts.gov/court-info/announcement-archive?items_per_page=All&sort_by=field_start_publishing_value2&sort_order=DESC)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8722/charles-novack/)
- [Charles Novack - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Charles_Novack#:~:text=California%20at%20Hastings.-,Career,California%20State%20University%2C%20East%20Bay.)

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