Jacqueline Chooljian

U.S. District Court for the Central District of California magistrate Retired 2026 · served 2006–2026 3 signed orders read

Judge Chooljian no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.

How Judge Chooljian decides

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

What persuades

Sitting by consent, Chooljian remands a Social Security denial where the ALJ's analysis rests on an incomplete or inaccurate characterization of the record, or improperly substitutes lay judgment for a treating physician's limitations, and the error is not harmless.

“the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security is REVERSED in part, and this matter is REMANDED for further administrative action consistent with this Opinion.”

Cautions

She affirms the Commissioner where the ALJ properly resolved the case (for example at step four), adequately considered the medical opinions and the claimant's obesity, and the findings are supported by substantial evidence.

“the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security is affirmed.”

Signed rulings

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

R.S. ex rel. Guardian Ad Litem v. Berryhill
(reported, C.D. Cal.; 357 F. Supp. 3d 1033) · 2019-01-24
Social security appeal (plaintiff) Granted in part

“the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security is REVERSED in part, and this matter is REMANDED for further administrative action consistent with this Opinion.”

Neydavoud v. Astrue
(reported, C.D. Cal.; 830 F. Supp. 2d 907) · 2011-11-18
Social security appeal (plaintiff) Granted in part

“the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security is reversed in part, and this matter is remanded for further administrative action consistent with this Opinion.”

Campos v. Astrue
(reported, C.D. Cal.; 656 F. Supp. 2d 1179) · 2009-08-24
Social security appeal (plaintiff) Denied

“the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security is affirmed.”

Lauter v. Anoufrieva
(reported, C.D. Cal.; 642 F. Supp. 2d 1060) · 2009-07-14
Motions to dismiss (defendant) Granted in part

“The Court concurs with and adopts the Report and Recommendation with the following modifications ... IT IS HEREBY ORDERED: (1) the Motion to Dismiss is [granted] in part and denied in part; ... (4) Plaintiff's Summary Judgment Motions are denied”

Caseload & timing

From public federal docket records for this judge.

Across four terminated 2025 consent dockets the median time from filing to termination is about 75 days; the Americans with Disabilities Act access cases and the contract removal resolved especially fast (18-105 days), consistent with early settlement or default. This is a small final-year sample, not a tenure-wide census, and is not representative of her earlier Social Security and habeas caseload.

A historical record

Judge Chooljian 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.