Communications with Chambers: Counsel or a pro se party should contact Chambers by sending an email to the Courtroom Deputy only to alert Chambers that a proposed order (whether new or amended) has been uploaded after a hearing or to alert Chambers when filing a motion to shorten time to respond and/or request for an immediate hearing. All other inquiries should be directed to the Clerk’s Office.
Attorney Appearances: An attorney’s appearance is required unless expressly excused.
Hearings on Self-Docketed Matters: Click here for available hearing dates on self-docketed motions. Motions for relief from stay and other self-docketed matters that will take more than 15 minutes must be specially set. Please contact the Courtroom Deputy for a hearing date and time as soon as it becomes apparent that the matter will exceed the 15-minute limit.
Motions for Relief from the Automatic Stay: Judge Ruark hears motions for relief from the automatic stay on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. The movant’s counsel must send an email to the Courtroom Deputy (with a copy to the debtor’s counsel or, if the debtor is pro se, with a copy to the debtor) by 12:00 p.m. on the immediately preceding business day to advise the Court whether the matter is going forward, has been resolved by consent, has been continued, or should be taken off the calendar as a “no response.” In the absence of timely notification to the Courtroom Deputy, the motion will be called at the scheduled date and time even if no response has been filed. If the motion includes a request for an equitable servitude against the property, the relief will not be granted by default and a hearing must be held.
First Day Motions in Business Chapter 11 Cases: Counsel should send a courtesy email to the Courtroom Deputy to alert Chambers of the filing of first day motions and to schedule all first day matters. The debtor’s counsel is encouraged to file an affidavit or declaration of the debtor’s authorized representative in support of any first day motions.
Objections to Claims: An objection to a proof of claim may be sustained by the Court without need for a hearing only if the objecting party provides sufficient evidence to overcome the prima facie evidence of the validity and amount of the claim described in Bankruptcy Rule 3001(f). In re Herron, 381 B.R. 184 (Bankr. D. Md. 2008); In re Gates, 214 B.R. 467 (Bankr. D. Md. 1997). An affidavit or declaration in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 1746 (that is, sworn or made under the penalty of perjury) by the debtor, if properly supported, may provide such evidence.