Christopher D. Baker
How Judge Baker decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
On summary judgment, issues a split recommendation -- granting exhaustion-based summary judgment for some defendants (dismissing without prejudice) while denying it for others.
“Defendants Brainard and Stohl's motion for summary judgment based on failure to exhaust administrative remedies (Doc. 63) be GRANTED and claims against these defendants be dismissed without prejudice”
Procedural preferences
Grants partial summary judgment, dismissing specific counts with prejudice while letting others proceed.
“City Defendants' motion for partial summary judgment (Doc. 53) is GRANTED IN PART to the following extent: i. The motion is GRANTED to the extent of dismissing counts two, seven, eight, and ten with prejudice, and count six with prejudice as to Defendants Anderberg and the City of Bakersfield; ii. The motion is DENIED as to count nine (Fourth Amendment - search and seizure of vehicle).”
Cautions
In Social Security appeals, denies the claimant's motion for summary judgment and affirms the Commissioner's decision.
“Plaintiff's motion for summary judgment (Doc. 20) is DENIED; 2. 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.
“Defendants Brainard and Stohl's motion for summary judgment based on failure to exhaust administrative remedies (Doc. 63) be GRANTED and claims against these defendants be dismissed without prejudice”
“Defendant Arevalos's motion for summary judgment (Doc. 77) be DENIED”
“Plaintiff's motion for default judgment (Doc. 79) be DENIED”
“Defendants' motion for summary judgment for a failure to exhaust administrative remedies (Doc. 37) be DENIED, subject to an evidentiary hearing.”
“Plaintiff's motion for summary judgment (Doc. 20) is DENIED; 2. The decision of the Commissioner of Social Security is AFFIRMED.”
“City Defendants' motion for partial summary judgment (Doc. 53) is GRANTED IN PART to the following extent: i. The motion is GRANTED to the extent of dismissing counts two, seven, eight, and ten with prejudice, and count six with prejudice as to Defendants Anderberg and the City of Bakersfield; ii. The motion is DENIED as to count nine (Fourth Amendment - search and seizure of vehicle).”
“Plaintiffs' motion for default judgment (Doc. 15) is recommended GRANTED.”
“Plaintiff's motion for award of attorney's fees (Doc. 49) is GRANTED.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
Baker presides over a Bakersfield-division consent Social Security docket in which the parties proceed under 28 U.S.C. 636(c) and he enters the final merits judgment himself. His broader referral docket carries prisoner civil-rights (42 U.S.C. 1983) matters, habeas corpus petitions (28 U.S.C. 2254 and 2241), civil motions in diversity and federal-question cases, and criminal matters arising on federal lands.
Put Judge Baker's record to work
Ezel drafts and answers grounded in this exact profile: how Judge Baker actually rules, not a generic AI guess.
Opens in Ezel Pro. Every answer is grounded in Judge Baker's own signed orders and cites them.