--- title: "Lena M. James | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lena-m-james-8867" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Lena M. James U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of North Carolina · U.S. Bankruptcy Judge ## Profile - Court: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of North Carolina - State: North Carolina - 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 - Bankruptcy judge, Middle District of North Carolina Lena M. James was appointed to the court on August 14, 2013, and her current term will expire on August 13, 2027 - Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court, M.D. North Carolina, 2013-present - Judge on the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, appointed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit on August 14, 2013 to succeed Judge Thomas Waldrep - Eric Connon — 336‐397‐7871 (Law Clerk) - Keil Nicholas — 336‐397‐7872 (Law Clerk) ### Education - J.D. — University of North Carolina School of Law at Chapel Hill in 1998.Cite error: Invalid tag - in English Literature — Swarthmore College — B.A. (1992) ### Additional information - Prior to joining the court, James was an attorney at Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge & Rice and also as a law clerk for Catharine Aron. - Judge James presides over bankruptcy cases in the Middle District of North Carolina, which includes counties such as Forsyth and others. ## 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/8867/lena-m-james/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8867/lena-m-james/) - [U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of North Carolina current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8867/lena-m-james/) - [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/8867/lena-m-james/) - [Lena M. James - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Lena_M._James) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lena-m-james-8867", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lena-m-james-8867", "name": "Lena M. James | KnowJudges", "description": "Lena M. James, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. 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/lena-m-james-8867#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lena-m-james-8867#judge", "name": "Lena M. 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