Maria Araujo Kahn

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit circuit Appointed by Joseph R. Biden (Democratic) 11 signed orders read

How Judge Kahn decides

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

What persuades

She will vacate a judgment and remand for further proceedings where the district court erred on a controlling question.

“For the reasons set forth above, we VACATE the judgment of the district court and REMAND for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.”

Procedural preferences

On appeal she frequently affirms the district court's judgment, resolving many appeals through disposition.

“For the reasons set forth above, we AFFIRM the judgment of the district court.”

She addresses and rejects a party's remaining arguments as without merit before affirming, rather than leaving them unaddressed.

“We have considered the parties' remaining arguments on appeal and conclude that they are without merit. For the reasons set forth above, we DISMISS for lack of jurisdiction Ventura's claim that the district court erred by refusing to downwardly depart when imposing his sentence and otherwise AFFIRM the judgments of the district court.”

Signed rulings

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

Olin Holdings Ltd. v. State of Libya
22-825-cv · 2023-07-12
Appeal (appellant (respondent-appellant State of Libya)) Denied

“For the reasons set forth above, we AFFIRM the judgment of the district court.”

United States v. Schiller
22-1566-cv · 2023-08-30
Appeal (appellants (defendants Walter and Denise Schiller)) Denied

“For the reasons set forth above, we AFFIRM the judgment of the district court.”

Wheatley v. New York State United Teachers
22-2743-cv · 2023-09-05
Appeal (appellant (plaintiff Robin Wheatley)) Denied

“For the reasons set forth above, we AFFIRM the judgment of the district court.”

Doe v. Franklin Square Union Free School District
23-582-cv · 2024-04-25
Appeal (appellant (plaintiff Jane Doe, on behalf of her minor child)) Granted in part

“For the reasons set forth above, we AFFIRM in part and REVERSE in part the judgment of the district court and remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.”

In re Windstream Holdings, Inc.
22-2891-bk · 2024-06-24
Appeal (appellant (debtor-plaintiff Windstream Holdings, Inc.)) Denied

“For the reasons set forth above, we AFFIRM the judgment of the district court.”

United States v. Torres
22-2527-cr · 2024-12-20
Appeal (appellants (defendants Randy Torres, Walston Owen, Charles Ventura)) Denied

“We have considered the parties' remaining arguments on appeal and conclude that they are without merit. For the reasons set forth above, we DISMISS for lack of jurisdiction Ventura's claim that the district court erred by refusing to downwardly depart when imposing his sentence and otherwise AFFIRM the judgments of the district court.”

Article 13 LLC v. LaSalle National Bank Association
23-7247-cv · 2025-03-25
Appeal (appellant (defendant-appellant U.S. Bank, as Trustee, successor to LaSalle National Bank Association)) Moot / procedural

“Because the New York Court of Appeals has not addressed the identified state law questions, which are essential to deciding this appeal, we certify the questions to that court. ... This panel retains jurisdiction for the purpose of resolving this appeal once the New York Court of Appeals has responded to our certification.”

In re Archegos 20A Litigation
24-1162-cv · 2025-09-16
Appeal (appellants (plaintiff shareholders; lead plaintiff Alexander Shapovalov)) Denied

“For the reasons set forth above, we AFFIRM the judgment of the district court.”

Silva v. Schmidt Baking Distribution, LLC
24-2103-cv · 2025-12-22
Appeal (appellants (plaintiffs Nathaniel Silva and Phil Rothkugel)) Granted

“For the reasons set forth above, we VACATE the judgment of the district court and REMAND for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.”

J.M. v. Sessions
24-1997-cv · 2025-12-23
Appeal (appellant (plaintiff J.M., as administrator of the estate of her son C.B.)) Granted in part

“The order and judgment of the district court are VACATED and the case REMANDED for further proceedings in conformity with this opinion.”

United States v. Aryeetey
25-499-cr · 2026-03-03
Appeal (appellant (defendant Ivanjoel Aryeetey)) Denied

“Accordingly, the judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED.”

Put Judge Kahn's record to work

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

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