IN RE: STEINMETZ PLUMBING (2026)

CHAPTER 11

ORDER

Granting Vacatur And Setting A Further Hearing

Resolving ECF Nos. 10; 48; 49

Pending before the Court is the “Expedited Motion To Reconsider And Vacate Order Approving Employment Of The Lane Law Firm, PLLC As Counsel For The Debtor”¹ filed on April 9, 2026 by the U.S. Trustee. On May 13, 2026, the Court held a final hearing. For the reasons stated in the accompanying Memorandum Opinion, it is therefore:

ORDERED: that

1. The “Expedited Motion To Reconsider And Vacate Order Approving Employment Of The Lane Law Firm, PLLC As Counsel For The Debtor”2 filed on April 9, 2026 by the U.S. Trustee is GRANTED.

2. The Court's January 8, 2026 Order 3 approving the Lane Law Firm PLLC as Debtor's Counsel is VACATED.

3. The “Application To Employ The Lane Law Firm PLLC As Counsel For The Debtor-In-Possession”4 filed on December 17, 2025 is DENIED.

4. The Lane Law Firm is hereby DISQUALIFIED from representing the Debtor in this bankruptcy case.

5. No Later than July 24, 2026, the Debtor shall file an application to retain counsel to prosecute this bankruptcy case. Failure to do so may result in automatic dismissal of this bankruptcy case.

6. The Interim Application for Compensation by the Lane Law Firm, PLLC at ECF No. 45 is UNABATED.

7. On Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. (Central Standard Time) an evidentiary hearing will be held on the Interim Application for Compensation by the Lane Law Firm, PLLC at ECF No. 45 before the United States Bankruptcy Court, Houston Division. For persons wishing to appear in person, the hearing will be conducted from the United States Courthouse, Bob Casey Federal Building, Courtroom #401, 515 Rusk, Houston, TX 77002.

8. Furthermore, at the August 5, 2026 hearing, the Lane Law Firm and its representatives must be prepared to show cause as to why the Court should not enter sanctions against the Lane Law Firm for its failure to comply with the Bankruptcy Code requirements governing payment and retention of bankruptcy professionals, including disgorgement of any fees and expenses paid to the Lane Law Firm by the Debtor.5

9. Representatives of the Lane Law Firm wishing to be heard must appear in person at the hearing.

10. Pursuant to Bankruptcy General Order 2021-05 and Bankruptcy Local Rule 9017-1, parties may either appear electronically or in person unless otherwise ordered by this Court.

11. To participate electronically, parties must follow the instructions set forth on Judge Rodriguez's web page located at: https://www.txs.uscourts.gov/content/united-states-bankruptcy-judge-eduardo-v-rodriguez. Parties are additionally instructed to: (i) call in utilizing the dial-in-number for hearings before Judge Rodriguez at 832-917-1510, conference room number 999276 and (ii) log on to GoToMeeting for video appearances and witness testimony, utilizing conference code: judgerodriguez. Parties MUST HAVE TWO SEPARATE DEVICES to appear by video and telephonically. One device will be used to log on to GoToMeeting and the other will be used to call the telephonic conference line.

12. Parties must comply with Bankruptcy Local Rule 9013-2 and Judge Rodriguez's Court Procedures Section VII(b) regarding the exchange and submission of electronic exhibits.

13. For any witness and exhibits, parties must utilize Form 1-100 Witness & Exhibit List which can be located on this Court's home page at https://www.txs.uscourts.gov/content/chiefunited-states-bankruptcy-judgeeduardo-v-rodriguez

14. No later than Friday, June 26, 2026, the Lane Law Firm must serve a copy of this Order on the United States Trustee and all parties entitled to notice of the hearing and file a certificate of service with the Clerk of Court.

SIGNED Wednesday, June 24, 2026

FOOTNOTES

1.   ECF No. 49. See also ECF No. 48 (expedited motion to reconsider corrected by the filing at ECF No. 49).

2.   ECF No. 49. See also ECF No. 48 (expedited motion to reconsider corrected by the filing at ECF No. 49).

3.   ECF No. 22.

4.   ECF No. 10.

5.   See 11 U.S.C. § 329(b).

Eduardo V. Rodriguez Chief United States Bankruptcy Judge