--- title: "Mike K. Nakagawa | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mike-k-nakagawa-8891" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Mike K. Nakagawa U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada · U.S. Bankruptcy Judge ## Profile - Court: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada - State: Nevada - 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, D. Nevada, 2006-present - Judge on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada, appointed in 2006 and reappointed in 2020 - Clerkship: Chief Judge, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California - Judge Nakagawa’s career spans judicial service, academic teaching, and professional legal practice, with a focus on bankruptcy law ### Education - University of California, Davis, 1980; law review member and editor (J.D.). - in Political Economy — University of the Pacific — B.A. (1977) ### Additional information - October 2008 – September 2015 (Chief Bankruptcy Judge). - His leadership as Chief Bankruptcy Judge and ongoing teaching role reflect his continued influence in the field ## 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/8891/mike-k-nakagawa/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8891/mike-k-nakagawa/) - [U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8891/mike-k-nakagawa/) - [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/8891/mike-k-nakagawa/) - [U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Mike K. Nakagawa of the District of Nevada Reappointed | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Nevada](https://www.nvb.uscourts.gov/news-rss/announcements/2020/0812-nakagawa-reappointment) - [Mike Nakagawa - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mike_Nakagawa) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mike-k-nakagawa-8891", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mike-k-nakagawa-8891", "name": "Mike K. Nakagawa | KnowJudges", "description": "Mike K. Nakagawa, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada. 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/mike-k-nakagawa-8891#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mike-k-nakagawa-8891#judge", "name": "Mike K. 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