--- title: "Frank L. Kurtz | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/frank-l-kurtz-8996" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Frank L. Kurtz U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Washington · U.S. Bankruptcy Judge ## Profile - Court: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Washington - State: Washington - 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, E.D. Washington, 2005-present - Federal court: U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, Eastern District of Washington (2005–2019) - Distinguished jurist with a long career in both state and federal courts, most notably as a U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of Washington from 2005 until his retirement in 2019 - Served a renewable 14-year term, becoming Chief Judge of the court from 2007 to 2014 - Notable roles: Chief Judge of the Eastern District Bankruptcy Court (2007–2014) - On November 1, 2005, Kurtz was appointed by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals as a U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of Washington ### Education - He later received his J.D. from Gonzaga University School of Law in 1974. - He earned a B.A. in History from Creighton University in 1968 and held the role of an American Peace Corps Volunteer in Jabalpur, India, from 1968 to 1970. ### Additional information - Kurtz retired at the end of his term on October 31, 2019. - His tenure coincided with the implementation of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005, which brought a heavy caseload. - He served nine years, held leadership roles such as Acting Chief Judge (1997–1999) and Chief Judge (1999–2001), and was a member of the Court of Appeals Executive Committee and the Board for Judicial Administration. - In 1996, Governor Mike Lowry appointed him to the Washington Court of Appeals (Division III). - Began his legal practice in Yakima, Washington, with Kirschenmann, Devine and Porter, later becoming a partner in Kurtz, Hurley, Lara and Adams from 1979. - Born February 5, 1946 in Omaha, Nebraska, Kurtz was the eldest of four children. - Original incorporator and first co-chair of the Bankruptcy Bar Association of the Eastern District of Washington and held the role of a Chapter 7 Panel Trustee. - He was recognized in The Best Lawyers in America and is remembered for his contributions to bankruptcy law, judicial ethics, and legal education. ## 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/8996/frank-l-kurtz/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8996/frank-l-kurtz/) - [U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Washington current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8996/frank-l-kurtz/) - [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/8996/frank-l-kurtz/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/frank-l-kurtz-8996", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/frank-l-kurtz-8996", "name": "Frank L. 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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.