--- title: "John W. Kolwe | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-w-kolwe-8819" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # John W. Kolwe 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: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court, W.D. Louisiana, 2015-present - Chief Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana; from 2018, until 2023 - United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Western District of Louisiana, appointed by the Fifth Circuit on August 12, 2015, and he held the role of Chief Judge from 2018 to 2023 - United States Bankruptcy Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana; from 2015, until 2019 - United States Bankruptcy Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana; from 2018-10-05 - After law school, Kolwe worked in private practice from 1991 until his judicial appointment in 2015. - Federal bankruptcy judge serving the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana ### Education - J.D. — Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University — 1991 - in Accounting — Centenary College of Louisiana — B.S. (1985) ### Additional information - Chief Judge: April 2, 2018 – April 2023 - Kolwe became chief judge April 2, 2018, for a five-year term. - Western District of Louisiana, bankruptcy Kolwe was appointed to the United States bankruptcy court, Western District of Louisiana on August 12, 2015. - Attorney in Private Practice; from 1991, until 2015 - Practiced law in Lafayette, Louisiana from 1991 until his judicial appointment in 2015 - Certified Public Accountant (CPA); from 1985, until 1991 - He handles cases in the Lafayette and Lake Charles Divisions ## 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/8819/john-w-kolwe/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8819/john-w-kolwe/) - [U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8819/john-w-kolwe/) - [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/8819/john-w-kolwe/) - [Judge John W. Kolwe](https://www.lawb.uscourts.gov/content/judge-john-w-kolwe) - [John W. Kolwe - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/John_W._Kolwe) - [LA Batch 10 supplied biography research source](https://register.lsucle.org/22BANK/2488972?page=1) - [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/8819/john-w-kolwe/) - [Judge John W. Kolwe](https://www.lawb.uscourts.gov/content/judge-john-w-kolwe) - [John W. Kolwe - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/John_W._Kolwe) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-w-kolwe-8819", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-w-kolwe-8819", "name": "John W. Kolwe | KnowJudges", "description": "John W. Kolwe, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana. 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Collected 2026-10-27.