--- title: "Mary Jo Heston | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mary-jo-heston-9000" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Mary Jo Heston U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington · Judge ## Profile - Court: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington - State: Washington - Role: 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, W.D. Washington, 2017-present - She also worked as a law clerk to a federal district court judge and a bankruptcy judge and served as an estate administrator in federal bankruptcy court ### Education - Undergraduate degree cum laude from the University of Washington in 1975 and her J.D. cum laude from Seattle University School of Law in 1980. ### Additional information - Appointed on January 31, 2017, and her term is set to expire on January 30, 2031. - 2001 Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy and has held leadership roles in organizations such as the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, ABI, INSOL International, the Washington State Bar Association’s Debtor Creditor Section, and the Turnaround Management Association. - From 1988 to 1993, she held the role of the first Region 18 U.S. Trustee - Before her judicial appointment, Judge Heston was a shareholder at Lane Powell PC in Seattle and Portland - focusing on commercial litigation, business reorganizations, international insolvency, and acquisition of troubled businesses and assets. - overseeing bankruptcy cases and fiduciaries in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, and Montana. - United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington, based in Tacoma. - She has also taught bankruptcy courses for over 20 years at Seattle University School of Law and the University of Washington Law School. - She presides over bankruptcy cases, including evidentiary hearings, trials, and specially set motions, with procedures for in-person, telephonic, and remote appearances depending on the type of hearing and location. - Judge Heston’s chambers and courtroom procedures are detailed on the Western District of Washington Bankruptcy Court website, including guidance for remote and in-person hearings, motion continuances, and confirmation processes. - She is a frequent speaker and author on topics including international insolvency, creditors’ rights, and commercial and consumer bankruptcy issues. - Her community service focuses on military and veterans’ financial and bankruptcy-related issues, including work with the Pro Bono Committee of ABI’s Veterans and Servicemembers Affairs Task Force. ## 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/9000/mary-jo-heston/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9000/mary-jo-heston/) - [U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9000/mary-jo-heston/) - [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/9000/mary-jo-heston/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mary-jo-heston-9000", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mary-jo-heston-9000", "name": "Mary Jo Heston | KnowJudges", "description": "Mary Jo Heston, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington. 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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.