--- title: "Laura L. Kulm Ask | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/laura-l-kulm-ask-sdb-bankruptcy-judge" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-08" --- # Laura L. Kulm Ask U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of South Dakota · U.S. Bankruptcy Judge ## Profile - Court: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of South Dakota - State: South Dakota - Role: U.S. Bankruptcy Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-09-25 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - US Bankruptcy Judge District of South Dakota Sioux Falls - appointed Jan 16 2023 by 8th Circuit Chief Lavenski Smith succeeding Charles Nail Jr, Chief Bankruptcy Judge Sept 2024 - Began service as United States bankruptcy judge for the District of South Dakota on January 16, 2023, following appointment by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals - Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the District of South Dakota, appointed by the Eighth Circuit in 2023 after nearly 20 years in bankruptcy practice. - Partner Gerry & Kulm Ask Prof LLC Sioux Falls bankruptcy debtor-creditor corporate estate planning almost 20 years - Before the bench she was a partner at Gerry & Kulm Ask in Sioux Falls, practicing bankruptcy, debtor-creditor, corporate and estate-planning law for almost twenty years. ### Education - A focused University of South Dakota BS graduation in 2000 and JD in 2003, state bar newsletter writing, legislative-review subcommittees, veterans legal clinics, and pro bono or reduced-fee work through Access to Justice and East River Legal Services. ### Additional information - District Federal Practice Committee, Local Bankruptcy Rules Committee and state bar Debtor/Creditor Committee. - U; n; i; v; e; r; s; i; t; y;; o; f; - S; o; u; t; h; - D; a; k; o; t; a; - B - S;; 2; 0; 0; 0 - S; c; h; o; o; l;; o; f; - L; a; w; - J - D;; 2; 0; 0; 3;; a; d; m; i; t; t; e; d;; 2; 0; 0; 3 - She helped create the Bankruptcy Matters educational video and presented continuing-legal-education programs. - She has served on multiple state and local bankruptcy committees and is known for her focus on debtor rights and procedural fairness ## 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.sdb.uscourts.gov/content/hon-laura-l-kulm-ask) - [Official roster](https://www.sdb.uscourts.gov/content/hon-laura-l-kulm-ask) - [sdb.uscourts.gov judicial profile or roster](https://www.sdb.uscourts.gov/content/hon-laura-l-kulm-ask) - [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) - [Hon. Laura L. Kulm Ask Takes the Bench](https://ncbj.org/?p=235) - [Laura L. Kulm Ask - Judicial Milestones](https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/about-federal-judges/judicial-milestones/laura-l-kulm-ask) - [Biography source supplied in SD-Judges.csv](https://ujs.sd.gov/ujs-news/) - [Biography source supplied in SD-Judges.csv](https://www.lawyerdb.org/lawyer/laura-kulm-ask/) - [Hon. Laura L. Kulm Ask Takes the Bench](https://ncbj.org/?p=235) - [Laura L. Kulm Ask - Judicial Milestones](https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/about-federal-judges/judicial-milestones/laura-l-kulm-ask) - [Biography source supplied in SD-Judges.csv](https://ujs.sd.gov/ujs-news/) - [Biography source supplied in SD-Judges.csv](https://www.lawyerdb.org/lawyer/laura-kulm-ask/) - [sdb.uscourts.gov judicial profile or roster](https://www.sdb.uscourts.gov/content/hon-laura-l-kulm-ask) - [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) - [Hon. Laura L. Kulm Ask Takes the Bench](https://ncbj.org/?p=235) - [Laura L. Kulm Ask - Judicial Milestones](https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/about-federal-judges/judicial-milestones/laura-l-kulm-ask) - [Biography source supplied in SD-Judges.csv](https://ujs.sd.gov/ujs-news/) - [Biography source supplied in SD-Judges.csv](https://www.lawyerdb.org/lawyer/laura-kulm-ask/) - [ncbj.org](https://ncbj.org/hon-laura-l-kulm-ask-takes-the-bench/) - [www.sdb.uscourts.gov](https://www.sdb.uscourts.gov/sites/sdb/files/Press%20Release%20%28Judge%20Kulm%20Ask%29.pdf) - [www.lawyerdb.org](https://www.lawyerdb.org/lawyer/laura-lynn-kulm-ask/) - [www.americanbar.org](https://www.americanbar.org/groups/business_law/resources/podcast/conversation-with-judge-laura-kulm-ask/) - [United States Courts judicial profile or roster](https://www.sdb.uscourts.gov/content/hon-laura-l-kulm-ask) - [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) - [Hon. Laura L. Kulm Ask Takes the Bench](https://ncbj.org/?p=235) - [Laura L. Kulm Ask - Judicial Milestones](https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/about-federal-judges/judicial-milestones/laura-l-kulm-ask) - [Biography source supplied in SD-Judges.csv](https://ujs.sd.gov/ujs-news/) - [Biography source supplied in SD-Judges.csv](https://www.lawyerdb.org/lawyer/laura-kulm-ask/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/laura-l-kulm-ask-sdb-bankruptcy-judge", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/laura-l-kulm-ask-sdb-bankruptcy-judge", "name": "Laura L. Kulm Ask | KnowJudges", "description": "Laura L. Kulm Ask, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of South Dakota. 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