Attorneys and parties are welcome to come to court in person for any hearing in front of Judge Colton. All trials and evidentiary hearings will be conducted only in person, unless specifically ordered otherwise by the Court. If you are concerned in any way about the quality of your internet connection, you are urged to attend hearings in person.
Attorneys and pro se parties may appear by telephone or video via Zoom for Preliminary Hearings, Status Conferences, Pre-Trial Conferences, and the Chapter 13 "Rocket Docket," unless a matter is specially set for an in-person hearing by the Court. In complex matters, the Court is likely to set a Final Pre-Trial Conference or a Summary Judgment Motion for an in-person hearing.
In Chapter 11 cases, "first day" matters will ordinarily be considered Preliminary Hearings. However, if any attorney or party anticipates presenting evidence or cross- examining any witness, at any hearing, you should plan to appear in person.
If directed to submit an order setting a "hybrid" hearing, please include all four paragraphs immediately below:
The Court shall conduct [INSERT HEARING INFORMATION] in this [CASE or ADVERSARY PROCEEDING] on [INSERT DATE AND TIME]. The hearing will take place in Courtroom 8A of the United States Bankruptcy Court, located at 801 North Florida Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33602.
Although the Court will conduct the hearing in person, any interested party may choose to attend the hearing remotely using the services of Zoom Video Communications, Inc. ("Zoom"), which permits remote participation by video or by telephone. To participate in the hearing remotely via Zoom (whether by video or by telephone), you must register in advance, no later than 3:00 p.m. one business day before the date of the hearing.
To register Click HERE or
manually enter the following web address into a browser:
https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItcOGopjMpG2gRKyn-ipk6SXFBnivGTDA#/registration
All participants, whether attending in person or remotely, must observe the formalities of the courtroom, exercise civility, and otherwise conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the dignity of the Court. This includes appropriate courtroom attire for those participants appearing in person or by video.
Courtroom 8A (8th Floor)
Sam M. Gibbons U.S. Courthouse
Tampa, Florida
Case Management Phone List (Case Matters)
Instructions and Procedures
**IMPORTANT** Chapter 13 Hearing Procedures effective April 19, 2023 (Judge Colton only)
Guidelines for Discovery Meet and Confer Requirements **NEW**
Procedure for Retention of Special Counsel to the Chapter 7 Trustee in Consumer Protection Cases