Effective August 1, 2022, Administrative Order #145 Order on Hearings in Middle District Bankruptcy Court Facilities will go into effect. The order reiterates our current guidance on COVID masking and entry requirements (masks are optional). The order also implements the continued use of telephonic hearings for “mass calendar” events and pre-trial conferences. These mass calendar events include chapter 13 motions to dismiss, chapter 13 plan confirmations, and motions for relief from stay, as well as pre-trial conferences. Please see Administrative Order #145 for more guidance on in-person hearings. Administrative Order #145 can be accessed here.

PRIOR TO ATTENDING AN IN-PERSON HEARING, please contact the appropriate courtroom deputy if you are unsure whether your hearing is a telephonic hearing or not.

 Courtroom Deputies

Name Telephone Number Email Address
Rhonda Thomas (Judge Smith)  478-749-6813 Rhonda_Thomas@gamb.uscourts.gov
Shirley Williams (Judge Laney)  706-596-7153 Shirley_Williams@gamb.uscourts.gov
Valerie Vaughn (Judge Carter)  478-749-6885 Valerie_Vaughn@gamb.uscourts.gov

 

You are encouraged to contact the Clerk’s Office at 478-752-3506 in Macon or 706-649-7837 in Columbus prior to traveling to our court facilities to determine if we can assist you over the phone and to provide you additional means of filing documents.

Effective August 1, 2022 the language for notices of hearing referenced in Administrative Order #145 (see below) is to replace the language we requested that you add to your notices of hearing in February 2021.

Parties should consult the Court’s website (www.gamb.uscourts.gov) concerning whether the hearing will be in-person, telephonic, or virtual. Please refer to Administrative Order #145 for more guidance.

 Telephonic Hearing Information

Judge Telephone Number Access Code
Judge James P. Smith 1-877-336-1839 7930011
Judge John T. Laney, III 1-888-684-8852 8196200
Chief Judge Austin E. Carter 1-888-398-2342 5569600


Court Locations and Operating Hours

U.S. Bankruptcy Court
Middle District of Georgia
433 Cherry Street
Macon, GA 31201

Phone: 478-752-3506

U.S. Bankruptcy Court
Middle District of Georgia
901 Front Avenue
One Arsenal Place
Columbus, GA 31902

Phone: 706-649-7837

Operating Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

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