--- title: "Maria Ellena Chavez-Ruark | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/maria-ellena-chavez-ruark-mdb-bankruptcy-judge" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-08" --- # Maria Ellena Chavez-Ruark U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland · U.S. Bankruptcy Judge ## Profile - Court: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland - State: Maryland - Role: U.S. Bankruptcy Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-09-10 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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.mdb.uscourts.gov/judges-info/judge/maria-ellena-chavez-ruark) - [Official roster](https://www.mdb.uscourts.gov/judges-info/judge/maria-ellena-chavez-ruark) - [mdb.uscourts.gov judicial profile or roster](https://www.mdb.uscourts.gov/judges-info/judge/maria-ellena-chavez-ruark) - [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/maria-ellena-chavez-ruark-mdb-bankruptcy-judge", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/maria-ellena-chavez-ruark-mdb-bankruptcy-judge", "name": "Maria Ellena Chavez-Ruark | KnowJudges", "description": "Maria Ellena Chavez-Ruark, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland. 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Marzetta at the Baltimore City Circuit Court (1994–1995) and then as a law clerk to Judge James F. Schneider at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court (1995–1997),. ### Education - B.S. in Accounting (1990) and an M.B.A. (1991) from Salisbury University, followed by a J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 1994 ### Additional information - She was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1994 and the District of Columbia Bar in 2001 - held the role of past president of the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland and has mentored law students and young lawyers throughout her career - She also handled workouts, restructurings, and litigation involving fraudulent transfers, deepening insolvency, and breach of fiduciary duty - Her practice focused on bankruptcy, restructuring, and complex commercial litigation - representing debtors, creditors’ committees, secured and unsecured creditors, landlords, purchasers of assets, and trustees in Chapter 11 cases, receiverships, and assignments for the benefit of creditors - Judge Chavez-Ruark has been actively involved in professional organizations, including serving as past president of the Maryland Bankruptcy Bar Association, a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI), past president of the Chesapeake Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association, and a former member of the global executive board of the Turnaround Management Association ## 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.