A record number of businesses – 256 – filed for bankruptcy in the Northern District of Texas federal court during the first six months of 2025, a 64% increase from the same period a year ago and more than any comparable period on record.  

Sidley Austin’sDuston McFaul told Texas Lawbook that the jump supports his belief that the Northern District of Texas was never “an unattractive venue.” 

“The Northern District’s complex local rules were modeled very closely with those of the Southern District’s, and as practitioners, we’re lucky to have incredibly dedicated, smart judges in both the venues and an ability to schedule hearings quickly in emergencies,” he said, adding that whether to file in the NDTX or SDTX is “usually driven more by the nerve center of the particular debtors” rather than a distinction between the venues.  

Read Why the D-FW Business Bankruptcy Rate is the Highest Since the Great Recession at TexasLawbook.net [Subscription Required]