In an unfolding legal drama, former U.S. bankruptcy judge David Jones has been mandated to undergo ethics training as a consequence of an off-the-record discussion with his romantic partner’s former law firm, Jackson Walker LLP. This decision was handed down by Houston Chief Bankruptcy Judge Eduardo Rodriguez, who criticized Jones for his actions during the July 18 interview with Jackson Walker representatives.
Judge Rodriguez condemned Jones for violating judicial policy, which forbids judges from discussing their official duties without proper authorization. Rodriguez highlighted that Jones, who stepped down from his role in October 2023, acted in bad faith when he tried to justify his actions, labeling his legal defense as “contrived.”
The situation has its roots in a broader scandal that disrupted the Houston court last year. Jones had been in a long-term, undisclosed relationship with Liz Freeman, a former bankruptcy partner at Jackson Walker—a firm frequently appearing before his court. This revelation added to the scrutiny of Jones’ actions, raising questions about the impartiality of his judicial conduct.
While Judge Rodriguez refrained from sanctioning Jackson Walker and its associated attorneys, he expressed disbelief that seasoned lawyers would engage in such a legally questionable discussion with Jones. The law firm, represented by Jason Boland of Norton Rose Fulbright and Texas litigator Rusty Hardin, along with Jones’ attorney, Benjamin Finestone of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, all declined to comment on the matter.
In addition to the ethics training, Judge Rodriguez has prohibited Jones from offering any testimony without explicit court approval. Meanwhile, the U.S. Trustee’s Office is pushing for Jackson Walker to return millions in legal fees approved by Jones in 33 bankruptcy cases, with Rodriguez presiding over that ongoing case.
