--- title: "Keith L. Phillips | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/keith-l-phillips-8988" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Keith L. Phillips U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia · U.S. Bankruptcy Judge ## Profile - Court: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia - State: Virginia - 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. Virginia, 2013-present - Sworn in on August 26, 2013, as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division, with his term set to expire on August 25, 2027 - Began his career as a law clerk for Judge Walter Hoffman ### Education - Judge Phillips earned his undergraduate degree in Biology from the College of William & Mary in 1976 and his J.D. from the University of Richmond Law School in 1979, where he held the role of an editor of the Law Review, an officer of the McNeil Law Society, and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa. ### Additional information - He is a permanent member of the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference since 1985 and participates in multiple committees of the National Association of Bankruptcy Judges. - Appointed to the court on August 26, 2013, and his term will expire on August 25, 2027. - Before joining the court, he was a principal with the firm Phillips & Fleckenstein, PC. - Before his judicial appointment, Phillips was a principal at the law firm Phillips & Fleckenstein, P.C. in Richmond - representing debtors, creditors, committees, and trustees across all chapters of the Bankruptcy Code. - Richmond panel of Chapter 7 trustees for over 27 years and also acted as a Chapter 11 trustee, liquidation trustee, and state court receiver. - Additionally, he held a position as a mediator in bankruptcy-related disputes. - Based in Richmond, Virginia, and presides over bankruptcy cases including Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13 matters. - Electronic device requests and other procedural matters must comply with the court’s local rules and standing orders. - Following law school, he clerked for Honorable Walter E. Hoffman of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in Norfolk - Judge Phillips has been active in professional organizations, including serving as Chairman of the Bankruptcy Sections of the Virginia Bar Association and the Richmond Bar Association. - He has also been a frequent lecturer on bankruptcy matters for various bar organizations. - For attorneys and parties appearing before him, Judge Phillips maintains specific procedures for hearings, including Chapter 13 confirmation hearings and motions day schedules. - The Richmond Division also conducts hybrid hearings (in-person and remote video) in accordance with General Order 22-2, except for evidentiary hearings which require in-person attendance. - Recognized for his extensive experience in bankruptcy law, his long-standing service as a trustee, and his active role in professional legal organizations, making him a prominent figure in the Eastern District of Virginia’s bankruptcy judiciary. ## 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/8988/keith-l-phillips/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8988/keith-l-phillips/) - [U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8988/keith-l-phillips/) - [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/8988/keith-l-phillips/) - [Procedures for Hearings before Hon. Keith L. Phillips](https://www.vaeb.uscourts.gov/content/procedures-hearings-hon-keith-l-phillips) - [Keith L. Phillips - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Keith_L._Phillips) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/keith-l-phillips-8988", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/keith-l-phillips-8988", "name": "Keith L. Phillips | KnowJudges", "description": "Keith L. Phillips, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. 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/keith-l-phillips-8988#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/keith-l-phillips-8988#judge", "name": "Keith L. Phillips", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/keith-l-phillips-8988", "jobTitle": "U.S. Bankruptcy Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8988/keith-l-phillips/" ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Virginia", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/virginia" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Keith L. Phillips", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/keith-l-phillips-8988" } ] } ] } ``` ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, December 1, 2025](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-52c9ad7e083212c057b747c7) — Bankruptcy proceedings only; chapter-specific limits apply. 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.