An ex-bankruptcy judge at the center of an ethics scandal has been ordered to appear in court—or face an arrest warrant—to explain why he gave an “off the record” interview with a law firm without court approval. Chief Judge Eduardo V. Rodriguez issued an order on Saturday instructing David R. Jones and attorneys at Jackson Walker LLP to appear in his Houston courtroom on Aug. 7. Failure to do so will result in a bench warrant.
The case revolves around a dispute over more than $13 million in legal fees that Jones approved for Jackson Walker without disclosing that he was in a longstanding relationship with an attorney from the firm. The interview and the resulting controversy underscore the ongoing ethical challenges facing the judiciary, particularly when personal relationships intersect with professional decision-making.
Legal professionals following this case will find further details and developments in the Bloomberg Law article.