--- title: "John S. Hodge | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-s-hodge" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # John S. Hodge U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana · U.S. Bankruptcy Judge ## Profile - Court: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana - State: Louisiana - Role: U.S. Bankruptcy Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-29 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court, W.D. Louisiana, 2018-present - Chief Judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana, having joined the court on August 20, 2018 - His role as Chief Judge involves overseeing bankruptcy proceedings and managing court administration within the Western District of Louisiana ### Education - in Accounting — Louisiana State University — B.S. - LSU Law School - Paul M. Hebert Law Center — J.D. - Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Louisiana State University Law Center ### Additional information - Chapter 7 Panel Trustee and Chapter 11 Panel Trustee, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana; from 2002 - Before his appointment, he served as a Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee and was a member of a Shreveport law firm, where he focused on bankruptcy, commercial litigation, and commercial real estate cases. - His accounting background complements his expertise in bankruptcy and financial law - Attorney - Member, Wiener, Weiss & Madison A Professional Corporation - Prior to his judicial appointment, Hodge practiced law at Wiener, Weiss & Madison A Professional Corporation in Shreveport, Louisiana. - He specialized in bankruptcy (including Chapter 13), commercial transactions, and related areas of law. - He has been recognized for his professional excellence and ethical standards, receiving awards such as the AV Preeminent® rating and the Client Champion award for outstanding service - Judge John S. Hodge combines extensive experience in bankruptcy law, commercial litigation, and financial matters with a strong record of professional recognition. - As Chief Judge, he plays a key role in the administration of bankruptcy cases in the Western District of Louisiana, bringing both legal expertise and leadership to the federal judiciary - Throughout his career, Hodge has been acknowledged for his high ethical standards and professional achievement. ## 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](http://www.lawb.uscourts.gov/planning-calendars-chief-judge-john-s-hodge) - [Official roster](http://www.lawb.uscourts.gov/planning-calendars-chief-judge-john-s-hodge) - [U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana current judicial profile](http://www.lawb.uscourts.gov/planning-calendars-chief-judge-john-s-hodge) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8818/john-s-hodge/) - [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/8818/john-s-hodge/) - [Official United States court source; CourtListener / Free Law Project judicial profile or roster](http://www.lawb.uscourts.gov/planning-calendars-chief-judge-john-s-hodge) - [Chief Judge John S. Hodge](https://www.lawb.uscourts.gov/content/chief-judge-john-s-hodge) - [Daily Hearing Calendars for Chief Judge John S. Hodge | Western District of Louisiana | United States Bankruptcy Court](https://www.lawb.uscourts.gov/judges-info/hearing-dates/daily-hearing-calendars-chief-judge-john-s-hodge) - [LA Batch 10 supplied biography research source](https://www.lawb.uscourts.gov/sites/lawb/files/2014%20Bankruptcy%20Seminar%20Presenter%20Bios.pdf) - [LA Batch 10 supplied biography research source](https://www.lawb.uscourts.gov/western-district-louisiana-bankruptcy-judges) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8818/john-s-hodge/) - [Official United States court source; CourtListener / Free Law Project judicial profile or roster](http://www.lawb.uscourts.gov/planning-calendars-chief-judge-john-s-hodge) - [Chief Judge John S. Hodge](https://www.lawb.uscourts.gov/content/chief-judge-john-s-hodge) - [Daily Hearing Calendars for Chief Judge John S. Hodge | Western District of Louisiana | United States Bankruptcy Court](https://www.lawb.uscourts.gov/judges-info/hearing-dates/daily-hearing-calendars-chief-judge-john-s-hodge) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-s-hodge", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-s-hodge", "name": "John S. Hodge | KnowJudges", "description": "John S. Hodge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana. 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/john-s-hodge#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-s-hodge#judge", "name": "John S. 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