Michael T. Liburdi

United States District Court for the District of Arizona district Appointed by Donald Trump (Republican) 7 signed orders read

How Judge Liburdi decides

Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.

What persuades

On removal, applies the Grable/Gunn framework and remands where the state-law claim does not necessarily raise a substantial, disputed federal issue.

“IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED: (1) The State of Arizona’s motion to remand (Doc. 12) is GRANTED. The Clerk of Court is directed to REMAND this matter to the Arizona Superior Court in Maricopa County.”

Procedural preferences

Under the Telecommunications Act, requires a provider to show the least intrusive means through a feasibility analysis of alternative sites, upholding a permit denial supported by substantial evidence.

“IT IS ORDERED Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 28) is GRANTED.”

Treats summary judgment filed before a responsive pleading and discovery as premature when the record cannot yet show whether a genuine factual dispute exists.

“Without discovery or a responsive pleading, the Court cannot yet determine whether there is a genuine issue of material fact, so the Court must deny the motions for summary judgment (Docs. 24, 28, 32) as premature.”

Requires substantial evidence before appointing a guardian ad litem and applies the exceptional-circumstances standard to requests for counsel in civil cases.

“The record does not supply enough for the Court to conclude that Ms. Berent is incompetent, so the Court will not appoint a guardian ad litem.”

Cautions

Dismisses a securities-fraud complaint that is an impermissible 'puzzle pleading' failing to allege which statements were false and why or to plead a strong inference of scienter under the PSLRA.

“IT IS ORDERED granting Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss (Doc. 50) and Underwriters’ Joinder (Doc. 52). For the reasons stated above, all Defendants, including Garcia Senior, are dismissed, without prejudice.”

Signed rulings

A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.

United Association National Pension Fund v. Carvana Company
2:22-cv-02126-PHX-MTL
Motions to dismiss (defendant) Granted

“IT IS ORDERED granting Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss (Doc. 50) and Underwriters’ Joinder (Doc. 52). For the reasons stated above, all Defendants, including Garcia Senior, are dismissed, without prejudice.”

McQueen v. University of North Dakota
2:24-cv-03368-PHX-MTL
Motions to dismiss (defendant) Denied

“IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the Motion to Dismiss (Doc. 15) is denied.”

State of Arizona v. GlaxoSmithKline LLC
2:25-cv-00860-PHX-MTL
Motions to remand (plaintiff) Granted

“IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED: (1) The State of Arizona’s motion to remand (Doc. 12) is GRANTED. The Clerk of Court is directed to REMAND this matter to the Arizona Superior Court in Maricopa County.”

Sun State Towers LLC v. County of Mohave
3:25-cv-08014-PCT-MTL
Summary judgment (defendant) Granted

“IT IS ORDERED Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 28) is GRANTED.”

Summary judgment (plaintiff) Denied

“IT IS FURTHER ORDERED Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 30) is DENIED.”

Dansons US LLC v. ASmoke USA LLC
2:20-cv-01853 · 2020-12-11
Motions to dismiss (defendant) Granted

“IT IS ORDERED granting ASmoke's Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Personal Jurisdiction (Part of Doc. 13).”

Preliminary injunction (plaintiff) Moot / procedural

“IT IS FURTHER ORDERED denying as moot Dansons' Renewed Motion for Preliminary Injunction (Doc. 26).”

Kelly v. Young et al.
2:25-cv-02376 · 2025-12-01
Motion to transfer venue (plaintiff) Denied

“IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Motion to Retransfer Venue (Doc. 32) is DENIED.”

Summary judgment (plaintiff) Moot / procedural

“Without discovery or a responsive pleading, the Court cannot yet determine whether there is a genuine issue of material fact, so the Court must deny the motions for summary judgment (Docs. 24, 28, 32) as premature.”

Summary judgment (plaintiff) Moot / procedural
Summary judgment (plaintiff) Moot / procedural
Motion for entry of default (plaintiff) Moot / procedural

“The Court therefore does not have the authority to enter default at this time. And because seeking a default judgment is a two-step process that first requires an entry of default, the Court cannot enter a default judgment. The Court denies Mr. Kelly’s motion for entry of default (Doc. 37) and motion for default judgment (Doc. 39).”

Default judgment (plaintiff) Moot / procedural
Motion for service by us marshals (plaintiff) Granted in part

“IT IS FINALLY ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Motion for Service by U.S. Marshals (Doc. 40) is GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART.”

Berent v. City of Surprise et al.
2:25-cv-02870 · 2025-12-05
Motion to appoint guardian or counsel (plaintiff) Denied

“IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Motions to Appoint Guardian Ad Litem or Pro Bono Counsel (Docs. 2, 24) are DENIED.”

Motion to appoint guardian or counsel (plaintiff) Denied
Motion to reassign case (plaintiff) Denied

“IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Motion to Reassign Case as Related Case (Doc. 6) is DENIED.”

Motion for service by us marshals (plaintiff) Moot / procedural

“IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Motion for Service by U.S. Marshals (Doc. 6) is DENIED.”

Motion to require bond (plaintiff) Denied

“IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Motion for Order Requiring Defendants to Post Bond to Secure Judgment (Doc. 6) is DENIED.”

Petition for writ of mandamus (plaintiff) Denied

“IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Emergency Motion for Writ of Mandamus (Doc. 22) is DENIED.”

Motion for reconsideration (plaintiff) Denied

“IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Motion for Reconsideration (Doc. 23) is DENIED.”

Motion to seal (plaintiff) Denied

“IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Motion to Seal (Doc. 28) is DENIED.”

Put Judge Liburdi's record to work

Ezel drafts and answers grounded in this exact profile: how Judge Liburdi actually rules, not a generic AI guess.

Opens in Ezel Pro. Every answer is grounded in Judge Liburdi's own signed orders and cites them.