---
title: "Philip H. Brandt | KnowJudges"
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# Philip H. Brandt

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington · Former U.S. Bankruptcy Judge

## Profile

- Court: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington
- State: Washington
- Role: Former U.S. Bankruptcy Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

Former U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Western District of Washington. Brandt served from 1991, was Chief Judge from 2001 to 2005, retired from active service on January 5, 2010, and subsequently served in historical recall status.

## Biography

### Professional career

- U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Central District of California, appointed in 2010 by the Ninth Circuit to a renewable 14‐year term
- U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Western District of Washington, October 11, 1991–January 5, 2010
- Chief Judge, Ninth Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel, 2005–2007
- Judge, Ninth Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel, 1998–2007
- Chief judge service: Chief Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington, 2001–2005
- Federal Service: Attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Maritime Commission
- Also held the role of a recalled bankruptcy judge on the Eastern District of California
- In summary: Judge Philip H. Brandt is a long‐serving federal bankruptcy judge, now based in the Central District of California, with a career that spans over three decades in bankruptcy law, both in the federal judiciary and in private and public legal practice
- Early Career: U.S. Naval Officer (active military service) Deputy Prosecutor, Pierce County, WA Private practice at Simonarson Law Firm (Lynden & Bellingham, WA) and later Graham & Dunn (Tacoma, WA)

### Education

- B.A. in Economics, Harvard University (1966) J.D., University of Washington School of Law (1972)

### Additional information

- Member, Bankruptcy Judges Advisory Group to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, 2008–2011
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Washington — served from October 11, 1991, until his transfer to California in 2010.
- Reappointed to a second 14-year term effective October 11, 2005
- Previously sat on the Ninth Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel.
- Over 73,000 cases on public record across his judicial career.
- In the Western District of Washington, his rulings spanned a wide range of bankruptcy matters, including motions for relief from the automatic stay, Chapter 13 plan confirmations, and nondischargeability determinations.

## 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/9666/philip-h-brandt/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9666/philip-h-brandt/)
- [Houser et al. v. United States, First Amended Class Action Complaint, Case No. 13-607C](https://guptawessler.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Houser-amended-complaint-as-filed.pdf)
- [Western District of Washington archived general orders](https://www.wawd.uscourts.gov/node/155)
- [W.D. Washington Bankruptcy Court General Order 2013-4](https://www.wawb.uscourts.gov/sites/wawb/files/general-orders/GO%202013-4.pdf)
- [In re Pham, Ninth Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel](https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/bap/2015/09/02/Pham-14-1342.pdf)
- [U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington homepage](https://www.wawb.uscourts.gov/)
- [Ninth Circuit 2005 Annual Report](https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/judicial-council/publications/AnnualReport2005.pdf)
- [W.D. Washington Bankruptcy Court General Order 2010-2](https://www.wawb.uscourts.gov/sites/wawb/files/general-orders/GO%202010-2.pdf)
- [U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9666/philip-h-brandt/)
- [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf)

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