--- title: "Karen K. Specie | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/karen-k-specie-8751" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Karen K. Specie U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida · U.S. Bankruptcy Judge ## Profile - Court: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida - State: Florida - Role: U.S. Bankruptcy Judge - Service status: recalled - 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. Florida, 2012-present - Regular service as U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, Northern District of Florida, ended in July 2026; on recall through July 2027 - Joined the court on July 24, 2012, succeeding Judge Lewis Killian - Joined the bench on July 25, 2012, serving as the sole bankruptcy judge for the Northern District of Florida, presiding over cases in Tallahassee, Gainesville, Panama City, and Pensacola - She also practiced solo and held the role of Of Counsel to Akerman LLP in Jacksonville ### Education - Undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida and her J.D. from Florida State University College of Law in 1978. ### Additional information - Chief judge service: Former Chief Bankruptcy Judge; succeeded by Mary Watts Colón on July 25, 2026. - She chaired the committee for the Bankruptcy Roundtable at the Eleventh Circuit Judicial Conference in 2018 United States Courts - focusing on commercial and consumer bankruptcy cases - Began her legal career in New York City - representing creditors in commercial litigation and bankruptcy, before relocating to Florida to practice in Tampa, Gainesville, and Jacksonville. - Nine-year breast cancer survivor and emphasizes compassion and respect in her courtroom, particularly for unrepresented parties. - Prior to joining the court, Specie was a Chapter 7 panel trustee in the Northern District, in addition to working Of Counsel to Akerman Senterfitt. - She succeeded Judge Lewis Killian and holds a 14-year term as a federal bankruptcy judge - Born in Fort Riley, Kansas, Judge Specie grew up in a military family, living in France, Germany, and Canada before settling in Treasure Island, Florida. - She has been active in the Bankruptcy/UCC Committee of the Florida Bar Business Law Section and currently serves on the Executive Council of the Florida Bar Business Law Section. - Before her judicial appointment, Judge Specie held the role of a Chapter 7 Panel Trustee for the Northern District of Florida and was a founder of the Federal Bar Association for North Central Florida. - Judge Specie has taught Bankruptcy and Secured Transactions as an adjunct professor at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where she continues to teach Advanced Bankruptcy. - She is also a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy and a member of professional organizations including ABI, INSOL, IWIRC, and NCBJ United States Courts ## 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/8751/karen-k-specie/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8751/karen-k-specie/) - [U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8751/karen-k-specie/) - [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/8751/karen-k-specie/) - [Karen K. Specie - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Karen_K._Specie) - [Alum Judge Karen Specie | College of Law](https://law.fsu.edu/featured-profiles/karen-kinkennon-specie) - [The Disclosure Statement - September 2026 Edition](https://www.flnb.uscourts.gov/disclosure-statement-september-2026-edition) - [Chief Judge Mary Watts Colón](https://www.flnb.uscourts.gov/judges/chief-judge-mary-watts-col%C3%B3n) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8751/karen-k-specie/) - [Karen K. Specie - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Karen_K._Specie) - [Alum Judge Karen Specie | College of Law](https://law.fsu.edu/featured-profiles/karen-kinkennon-specie) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/karen-k-specie-8751", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/karen-k-specie-8751", "name": "Karen K. Specie | KnowJudges", "description": "Karen K. 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Specie: scheduled recall term end at U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida. scheduled recall term end: 2027-07 Status: announced [Source 1](https://www.flnb.uscourts.gov/disclosure-statement-september-2026-edition)