--- title: "H. Christopher Mott | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/h-christopher-mott-8980" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # H. Christopher Mott U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas · U.S. Bankruptcy Judge ## Profile - Court: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western 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, W.D. Texas, 2010-present - Licensed to practice law in Texas since 1983 - United States Bankruptcy Judge serving on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas, appointed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit on September 20, 2010 - Partner, Kemp Smith P.C. (1993) - Partner, Ginnings Birkelbach Keith & Delgado (1983–1993) - Official court site: /judge-mott ### Education - Texas Tech University School of Law — High Honors, Order of Coif While in law school, he held the role of Business Editor of the Texas Tech Law Review — J.D. (1983) - B.B.A., Texas Tech University, 1980 — Highest Honors ### Additional information - Co‐founder, Gordon Mott & Davis P.C. (1994–present) - Recipient of the Outstanding Service Award from the Bankruptcy Law Section of the State Bar of Texas (2006) - Ring of Honor from the Sun Bowl Association (2004) - Judge Mott presides over bankruptcy cases in the Austin and El Paso divisions of the Western District of Texas. - Judge Mott has authored multiple legal articles, including works on bankruptcy evidence, environmental claims in bankruptcy, and pre‐trial practice in bankruptcy courts. - Past Commissioner, Texas Bankruptcy Certification Exam Commission - Prior to joining the court, Mott was a founding partner with the firm Gordon, Davis, Johnson and Shane. - His office is located at the Homer J. Thornberry Federal Judicial Building, 903 San Jacinto Blvd., Suite 326, Austin, TX 78701. - Past Chair, Texas Bankruptcy Section of the State Bar of Texas - Fellow, American College of Bankruptcy - Listed in Best Lawyers in America – Business Bankruptcy and Texas Super Lawyer – Business Bankruptcy ## 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 ### electronic trial exhibits Scope: courtwide The Western District of Texas publishes JERS guidance for electronically capturing trial evidence and provides evidence-presentation equipment to members of the bar practicing in the district. Evidence excerpt: The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas uses the Jury Evidence Recording System (JERS) to capture evidence electronically during a trial. The Court provides evidence presentation equipment to any member of the bar practicing within the Western District of Texas. [JERS, Jury Evidence Recording System](https://www.txwd.uscourts.gov/for-attorneys/jers-jury-evidence-recording-system) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### electronic exhibit submission Scope: courtwide For JERS electronic exhibit submission, the Western District of Texas publishes a single-storage-device requirement and directs parties to submit files by the deadline set by the assigned courtroom deputy. Evidence excerpt: All files must be provided on a single storage device such as a CD, DVD, or USB drive. ... All files must be submitted based on the deadline set by the CRD associated with your case. [JERS, Jury Evidence Recording System](https://www.txwd.uscourts.gov/for-attorneys/jers-jury-evidence-recording-system) 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/8980/h-christopher-mott/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8980/h-christopher-mott/) - [U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8980/h-christopher-mott/) - [JERS, Jury Evidence Recording System](https://www.txwd.uscourts.gov/for-attorneys/jers-jury-evidence-recording-system) - [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/8980/h-christopher-mott/) - [About Judge H. Christopher Mott | Western District of Texas | United States Bankruptcy Court](https://www.txwb.uscourts.gov/about-judge-h-christopher-mott) - [H. Christopher Mott - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/H._Christopher_Mott) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/h-christopher-mott-8980", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/h-christopher-mott-8980", "name": "H. Christopher Mott | KnowJudges", "description": "H. Christopher Mott, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western 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/h-christopher-mott-8980#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/h-christopher-mott-8980#judge", "name": "H. 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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.