John E. Ryan
How Judge Ryan rules, drawn from 21 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Ryan no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Ryan decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Recovery restored appreciated value to the estate rather than freezing relief at the transfer-date value.
“Trustee may recover the appreciated value of the asset, provided it is for the benefit of the estate.”
A dissolution-ordered sale qualified as a forced sale because it enforced a money judgment and preserved a timely homestead claim.
“Therefore, the Judgment constitutes a forced sale of the Property for the purpose of satisfying a money judgment.”
Conversion supporting nondischargeability also supported exemplary damages under state law.
“Because Plaintiffs § 523(a)(6) claim arose from conversion, Plaintiff is entitled to exemplary damages under CCC § 3294(a).”
Procedural preferences
A settlement with one transferee did not deprive other respondents of a meaningful opportunity to contest avoidance.
“Respondents have a constitutional right to defend the claims asserted against them before they can be deprived of their property.”
Judicial estoppel prevented a claimant from recasting an obligation after earlier inconsistent claim treatment.
“Dulles is barred by judicial estoppel from claiming that the construction obligation is rent.”
Claim withdrawal turned on legal prejudice, not the inconvenience of continued litigation in another forum.
“No legal prejudice results against the County from granting the Motion.”
Cautions
A self-settled retirement trust's spendthrift restriction was unenforceable under California law.
“a spendthrift provision in a self-settled trust is not enforceable under California law even if the primary purpose of the trust is to pay a pension.”
A federal receiver remained a governmental unit for the bankruptcy sovereign-immunity analysis.
“the FDIC in its capacity as receiver is a governmental unit subject to 11 U.S.C. § 106(a).”
A confirmed plan bound counsel to the fee treatment it stated and could not be bypassed through a payment motion.
“The Motion seeks to pay Debtor’s attorney the amount of the Fee Award in violation of the Plan.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Trustee’s motion for reconsideration, therefore, is approved.”
“the motion of Defendant, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, as Receiver for Mission Viejo National Bank, to dismiss this adversary proceeding is denied.”
“Trustee, therefore, is unable to avoid Plaintiffs’ equitable claim to the Huntington Beach property.”
“Plaintiffs are entitled to $18,246.80 in fees and $3,652.74 in costs.”
“Movant’s motion for reconsideration of its final fee application is denied.”
“Debtors’ past due taxes for the years 1984 through 1986 and 1989, as well as Kathleen E. Tibaldo’s individual taxes (returns filed October 10, 1990) for the years 1982 and 1983, are not dischargeable.”
“Plaintiff is the prevailing party in this adversary proceeding and is entitled to an award of $50,000.00 exemplary damages, prejudgment interest, and costs.”
“Plaintiff, however, is not entitled to its attorneys fees.”
“Accordingly, the Motion is granted.”
“This court concludes that based on the allegations in the Complaint, the Eleventh Amendment precludes this court from exercising jurisdiction over this proceeding. Debtors may amend the Complaint as stated above.”
“Therefore, for the foregoing reasons, the 1989 Taxes are not dischargeable.”
“Therefore, the Motion is DENIED.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
The five valid sampled bankruptcy matters were terminated, but their empty electronic timelines do not support a motion or duration analysis.
A historical record
Judge Ryan 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.