Harlin Dewayne Hale at a glance
- Current role
- U.S. Bankruptcy Judge
- Court
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas
- Jurisdiction
- Texas · Federal
- Judicial service
- November 1, 2002–present
Harlin Dewayne Hale
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge · U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas
Available research
Biography
Judicial service
- Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court, N.D. Texas, 2002-present
- Hale was appointed to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas in 2002 by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, serving until his retirement in 2022. He presided over thousands of cases, authored over 160 opinions, and was cited favorably by the U.S. Supreme Court in Czyzewski v. Jevic Holding Corp. (2017). His docket included major corporate reorganizations, Chapter 9, 11, 12, and 13 bankruptcy matters, and complex international insolvency cases under Chapter 15.
- Hon. Harlin DeWayne “Cooter” Hale is a retired U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Texas, serving for nearly 20 years, including a two‑year term as Chief Judge, and is now a JAMS mediator and arbitrator.
- Before joining the bench, Hale was a partner in the bankruptcy practice at Baker & McKenzie in Dallas, overseeing high‑profile Chapter 11 cases, healthcare insolvencies, and the bankruptcy of one of the largest U.S. poultry producers. He also clerked for then‑Louisiana Supreme Court Justice James L. Dennis and later for a federal bankruptcy judge.
- Since retirement, Hale has held the role of a JAMS mediator and arbitrator, and as a visiting professor of creditors’ rights at Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law for 15 years. He continues to be recognized for his mastery of bankruptcy law and his approach to resolving complex commercial disputes.
Education
- Louisiana State University · J.D.
Courtroom rules and guidance
Motion Form
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.
A motion must state its grounds with particularity and set forth the relief or order requested.Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure ↗
Motion Notice Timing
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.
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 ↗
Contested Matter Notice
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.
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 ↗
Disputed Fact Testimony
Present witness testimony on a disputed material factual issue in the same manner as testimony in an adversary proceeding.
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 ↗
Evidentiary Hearing Notice
Use the court's procedure to determine, reasonably before a scheduled hearing, whether it will be an evidentiary hearing at which witnesses may testify.
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 ↗
Evidence Rules
Prepare evidence under the Federal Rules of Evidence and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 43, 44, and 44.1, which apply in bankruptcy cases.
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 ↗
Oath Or Affirmation
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.
If an oath is required, a solemn affirmation suffices.Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure ↗
Sources
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas current judicial profile
Identity source · HTML · checked August 2, 2026
https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8967/harlin-dewayne-hale/Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure
Judge research source · PDF · checked July 30, 2026
https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf