--- title: "Ronald B. King | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ronald-b-king-8979" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Ronald B. King U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas · U.S. Bankruptcy Judge ## Profile - Court: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas - State: Texas - 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, W.D. Texas, 1988-present - The long‐serving chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Western District of Texas, appointed in 1988 and recognized for over 37 years of judicial service ### Education - magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, University of Texas School of Law — J.D. (1977) - in Political Science, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Southern Methodist University — B.A. (1974) - J.D. — University of Texas at Austin ### Additional information - Appointed to the court on October 1, 1988, and his current term will expire on September 30, 2030. - Appointed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on October 1, 1988 to a renewable 14‐year term, and his current term runs through September 30, 2030. - In August 2026, King was selected to receive the 2026 American Inns of Court Bankruptcy Distinguished Service Award, honoring his dedication to legal ethics, professionalism, and justice. - Although he retired from the chief role in 2021, he continues to assist colleagues as a recall judge. - He held the role of chief U.S. bankruptcy judge from 2006 to 2021. - King presides over cases in the San Antonio and Waco divisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas. - For case dockets, virtual courtroom guidelines, and contact information, visit the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas’s official judge page. - Noted as the longest‐tenured bankruptcy judge in Texas history. - Prior to joining the court, King began his legal career as a briefing attorney for Justice James G. Denton of the Texas Supreme Court. - He then joined the law firm of Foster, Lewis, Langley, Gardner & Banack as an associate, where he eventually geared his practice toward a specialization in bankruptcy law. - Before joining the judiciary, King held a position as a briefing attorney for Justice James G. Denton of the Texas Supreme Court, then as an associate at Foster, Lewis, Langley, Gardner & Banack Inc., specializing in complex business litigation and bankruptcy law. - King is a founding member and inaugural president of the Hon. Larry E. Kelly Bankruptcy American Inn of Court, remains active on its executive committee, and serves as director of the San Antonio Federal Bar Association. - He has also led public‐school activities, taught financial literacy to high school students, and served on the Alamo Volleyball Association board. ## 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 ### electronic trial exhibits Scope: courtwide The Western District of Texas publishes JERS guidance for electronically capturing trial evidence and provides evidence-presentation equipment to members of the bar practicing in the district. Evidence excerpt: The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas uses the Jury Evidence Recording System (JERS) to capture evidence electronically during a trial. The Court provides evidence presentation equipment to any member of the bar practicing within the Western District of Texas. [JERS, Jury Evidence Recording System](https://www.txwd.uscourts.gov/for-attorneys/jers-jury-evidence-recording-system) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### electronic exhibit submission Scope: courtwide For JERS electronic exhibit submission, the Western District of Texas publishes a single-storage-device requirement and directs parties to submit files by the deadline set by the assigned courtroom deputy. Evidence excerpt: All files must be provided on a single storage device such as a CD, DVD, or USB drive. ... All files must be submitted based on the deadline set by the CRD associated with your case. [JERS, Jury Evidence Recording System](https://www.txwd.uscourts.gov/for-attorneys/jers-jury-evidence-recording-system) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### 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/8979/ronald-b-king/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8979/ronald-b-king/) - [U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8979/ronald-b-king/) - [JERS, Jury Evidence Recording System](https://www.txwd.uscourts.gov/for-attorneys/jers-jury-evidence-recording-system) - [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/8979/ronald-b-king/) - [Honorable Ronald B. King, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge](https://www.txwb.uscourts.gov/honorable-ronald-b-king-us-bankruptcy-judge) - [Ronald B. King - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Ronald_B._King) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ronald-b-king-8979", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ronald-b-king-8979", "name": "Ronald B. King | KnowJudges", "description": "Ronald B. King, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas. 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/ronald-b-king-8979#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ronald-b-king-8979#judge", "name": "Ronald B. King", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ronald-b-king-8979", "jobTitle": "U.S. Bankruptcy Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8979/ronald-b-king/" ], "alumniOf": [ { "@type": "EducationalOrganization", "name": "University of Texas at Austin" } ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Texas", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/texas" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ronald B. King", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ronald-b-king-8979" } ] } ] } ``` ## 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.