Ralph Karl Winter Jr.
Judge Winter no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Winter decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Reads federalism and comity as a strong limit on the federal courts' power to supervise the internal workings of state court systems, abstaining from suits that would require an ongoing federal audit of state proceedings.
“Even the relief now sought by Kaufman would be so intrusive in the administration of the New York court system that we must, based on applicable precedent, abstain.”
Enforces commercial expectations pragmatically, binding a non-signatory alleged to be a successor in interest to a contract's forum-selection clause and forum non conveniens waiver.
“We hold that such a non-signatory may be so bound.”
Procedural preferences
Insists on a properly structured record before the merits are decided, vacating a judgment entered on disputed facts absent an agreed statement or a Rule 56 motion because meaningful appellate review was impossible.
“because appellate review regarding the merits and even subject matter jurisdiction is impossible on the present record, we vacate and remand for further proceedings.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“The district court dismissed the complaint for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. Sawma appeals, and we affirm.”
“We further hold that such review afforded appellant due process. We therefore affirm.”
“Because adequate state procedures exist to correct any evidentiary error committed by the AU, we hold that Marino was not denied procedural due process and affirm.”
“We otherwise affirm the district court’s denial of the contempt motion.”
“FHLMC has thus failed to demonstrate that the regulations constitute either a physical or regulatory taking under governing caselaw, and we affirm.”
“Because the district court employed an incorrect test to determine whether the crime-fraud exception applies, we reverse and remand with directions.”
“We thus reverse the dismissal of Brodsky’s complaint.”
“We have considered Singh’s remaining arguments and find them to be without merit. We affirm.”
A historical record
Judge Winter no longer hears cases. This profile stays available as a record of how they ruled. If you're preparing for a matter, start from the court's current bench.