Developments in an ethics dispute surrounding the secret relationship between a former bankruptcy judge and a local attorney have been largely kept from public view. Chief Judge Eduardo V. Rodriguez of the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas sealed approximately two hours of a hearing on the matter, which is part of pre-trial proceedings addressing fee disputes and the undisclosed relationship between former Houston bankruptcy judge David R. Jones and a former partner at Jackson Walker LLP.
Rodriguez cited concerns over the disclosure of potentially “very sensitive” information as the reason for the closure of part of the hearing to the public. Notably, attorneys from the Department of Justice were also barred from attending these sealed portions of the hearing. More details can be read on the Bloomberg Law website.
- Chief Judge Eduardo V. Rodriguez sealed two hours of the hearing.
- The hearing is part of pre-trial proceedings on fee disputes.
- The dispute involves a previously undisclosed relationship between former Houston bankruptcy judge David R. Jones and a former partner at Jackson Walker LLP.
- DOJ attorneys were also excluded from parts of the hearing.
- Rodriguez cited concerns over revealing “very sensitive” information.