United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Virginia
About This Court
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia is a unit of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and operates under the jurisdiction of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. The court handles bankruptcy cases filed under Title 11 of the United States Code, including cases under Chapters 7, 11, 12, and 13. The Eastern District of Virginia encompasses a significant portion of the state, including the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., the Richmond metropolitan area, and the Hampton Roads region.
The court is widely recognized in the legal community as one of the busiest and most demanding bankruptcy courts in the country. It has a long-standing reputation for moving cases efficiently, a characteristic sometimes referred to by practitioners as the 'rocket docket,' a term also associated with its parent district court. The Alexandria division in particular handles a high volume of complex Chapter 11 reorganization cases, attracting filings from large corporations nationwide due to the court's experienced bench and expedited scheduling.
The court maintains several divisions across the district to serve its broad geographic area, with judges and clerk's office staff stationed at multiple locations. Practitioners before this court should be prepared for strict adherence to procedural rules and local bankruptcy rules, as the court expects prompt and organized litigation.
Handles cases filed under the federal Bankruptcy Code within the jurisdiction of the Eastern District of Virginia. Bankruptcy judges are appointed by the court of appeals for 14-year terms. Proceedings are governed by the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure.
Divisions
Alexandria Division (Alexandria), Richmond Division (Richmond), Newport News Division (Newport News), Norfolk Division (Norfolk)
Caseload
The Eastern District of Virginia Bankruptcy Court consistently ranks among the highest-volume bankruptcy courts in the nation, handling tens of thousands of cases annually across all chapters. The Alexandria division is particularly notable for large and complex Chapter 11 corporate reorganizations filed by national and international companies.
Bar Admission
Attorneys must be admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in order to appear before the bankruptcy court. Admission to the district court requires membership in good standing with the Virginia State Bar or eligibility under the court's local rules for pro hac vice admission.
Clerk's Office
200 South Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 258-1200
Local Rules
The Local Rules of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, which supplement the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. See the court's official website for the authoritative text.