--- title: "Kathy Surratt-States | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kathy-surratt-states-8854" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Kathy Surratt-States U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri · U.S. Bankruptcy Judge ## Profile - Court: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri - State: Missouri - 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. Missouri, 2003-present - Judge Kathy A. Surratt-States was sworn in as a U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri on March 17, 2003 and held the role of Chief Judge from February 1, 2013, to June 30, 2022 - Appointed to the court on March 18, 2003, and elevated to the position of chief judge on February 1, 2012 ### Education - Washington University School of Law in St. Louis — J.D. (1991) ### Additional information - Joined the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel of the Eighth Circuit on January 13, 2023 - Began her legal career clerking for Bankruptcy Judge James J. Barta and later worked in private practice focusing on bankruptcy, commercial litigation, and foreclosures - She has also been a partner at law firms including Ziercher & Hocker, P.C., which later merged with Husch Blackwell As a judge, she has presided over significant bankruptcy cases, including rulings for Patriot Coal, where she approved cuts to retiree benefits and executive bonuses, demonstrating her role in complex corporate bankruptcy decisions - Before her judicial appointment, Judge Surratt-States held the role of a Chapter 7 Trustee for Family Company of America, one of St. Louis’s largest grocery chains, and was appointed by Governor Bob Holden as a Commissioner for the St. Louis City Board of Election Commissioners - Born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, she earned her B.A., cum laude, from Oklahoma City University and her J.D. from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis - Judge Surratt-States is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the St. Louis Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, and the Associates of St. Louis Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc ## 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/8854/kathy-surratt-states/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8854/kathy-surratt-states/) - [U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8854/kathy-surratt-states/) - [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/8854/kathy-surratt-states/) - [Judge Kathy A. Surratt-States | Eastern District of Missouri | United States Bankruptcy Court](https://www.moeb.uscourts.gov/content/judge-kathy-surratt-states) - [Kathy Surratt-States - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Kathy_Surratt-States) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kathy-surratt-states-8854", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kathy-surratt-states-8854", "name": "Kathy Surratt-States | KnowJudges", "description": "Kathy Surratt-States, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. 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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.