Andrew J. Wistrich
Judge Wistrich no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Wistrich decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In Social Security appeals decided by consent, where the record is fully developed and an improperly-rejected treating-physician opinion compels a disability finding, reverses and remands for an immediate award of benefits rather than further proceedings.
“Accordingly, defendant's decision is reversed, and the matter is remanded for an award of benefits consistent with this memorandum of decision.”
Procedural preferences
On discovery disputes, resolves motions to compel granularly -- granting in part and denying in part after analyzing the governing statute and work-product doctrine.
“For the reasons explained above, defendant's motion to compel is granted in part and denied in part.”
Cautions
Applies the deference side of substantial-evidence review: where the agency's decision is supported, denies the claimant's motion, grants the Commissioner's, and affirms.
“Accordingly, plaintiffs motion for summary judgment is denied, defendant's motion for summary judgment is granted, and defendant's decision is affirmed.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Accordingly, defendant's decision is reversed, and the matter is remanded for an award of benefits consistent with this memorandum of decision.”
“For the reasons stated above, plaintiffs motion for summary judgment is granted, defendant's motion for summary judgment is denied, and the case is remanded to defendant for payment of benefits.”
“plaintiffs motion for summary judgment is granted in part, defendant's motion for remand is granted in part, and this case is remanded to the Commissioner for further proceedings consistent with this memorandum of decision.”
“Accordingly, plaintiffs motion for summary judgment is denied, defendant's motion for summary judgment is granted, and defendant's decision is affirmed.”
“Accordingly, plaintiffs motion for an award of fees and costs under the EAJA is granted in the total amount of $5,095.97.”
“For the reasons explained above, defendant's motion to compel is granted in part and denied in part.”
“For the foregoing reasons, defendant's motion for a protective order is granted.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
Seven reviewed consent Social Security appeals took a median of about 384 days from filing to termination, or roughly thirteen months, with most concluding within twelve to sixteen months. This measures total case duration rather than the time needed to decide a particular motion.
A historical record
Judge Wistrich 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.