Thomas Bennett at a glance
- Current role
- District Magistrate Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Kansas · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Thomas Bennett
District Magistrate Judge · Kansas 24th Judicial District Court
Biography
Professional career
- Judge Thomas B. Bennett (Ret.) held the role of a U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Alabama from 1995 to 2015, including a tenure as Chief Judge from 2011 to 2015.
Education
- He obtained a B.Sc. in Economics (1970) and an M.A. in Economics (1973) from West Virginia University, before pursuing a J.D. at West Virginia University College of Law, where he was a member of the Moot Court Board and graduated Order of the Coif in 1976.
Additional information
- Bennett was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 6, 1949, and grew up with three brothers and a half-sister.
- During his career, he applied economic theory and historical research to resolve complex legal issues, particularly in municipal and mass tort bankruptcy cases
- Widely recognized for overseeing the Jefferson County, Alabama bankruptcy, which was one of the largest municipal bankruptcies in U.S. history, second only to Detroit’s filing.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Media Electronic Device Coverage
Statewide
Kansas statewide Rule 1001 requires media members to obtain written court permission before using an electronic device to photograph, record, transmit, or provide live coverage of a court proceeding.
A media member must get written permission from the court before using an electronic device to photograph, record, transmit, or provide live coverage of a court proceeding.Kansas Supreme Court Rule 1001: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings ↗
Advance Media Request Timing
Statewide
Kansas statewide Rule 1001 directs media members to request permission at least one week before the proceeding, unless the court waives the timing requirement for good cause.
At least one week before a court proceeding, a media member must ask the court or media coordinator for permission to use an electronic device during the proceeding.Kansas Supreme Court Rule 1001: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings ↗
Judge Controlled Device Location
Statewide
Kansas statewide Rule 1001 leaves the authorized device location to the judge, presiding judge, or appellate clerk depending on the court, and local orders control when they conflict with Rule 1001.
A judge will designate where a media member may use an electronic device during a district court proceeding.Kansas Supreme Court Rule 1001: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Kansas Supreme Court Rule 1001: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings
Kansas 24th Judicial District Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 26, 2026.
Kansas Judicial Branch official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Kansas Judicial Branch official judicial roster ↗Kansas Supreme Court Rule 1001: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Kansas Supreme Court Rule 1001: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings ↗