Robert M. Illman
How Judge Illman rules, drawn from 12 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
How Judge Illman decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In financial elder-abuse claims, he applies the statutory knows-or-should-know standard rather than requiring conduct more culpable than negligence.
“There is no provision that requires a showing of more than mere negligence—all that is required for financial elder abuse is the taking or retention of an elder’s property by someone who knows or should know that such taking or retention will harm the elder.”
In consent Social Security appeals, he may remand for an immediate benefits award when the administrative findings lack substantial evidence.
“IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security is REVERSED, and this case is REMANDED for the immediate calculation and award of back-pay benefits. A separate judgment shall issue.”
Procedural preferences
He expects parties to narrow discovery disputes cooperatively and may criticize bilateral escalation that wastes party and court resources.
“This joint letter brief represents the parties’ latest failure to act reasonably and responsibly and is a waste of both their and the court’s resources.”
Before an answer is served, he applies the liberal amendment standard and recognizes amendment as a matter of course where Rule 15 permits it.
“Moreover, Plaintiff may file an amended complaint as a matter of course prior to the service of an answer. Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a). Accordingly, the Motion to Amend Complaint is GRANTED.”
Cautions
Even after liability is established, inconsistent calculations and unexplained damages submissions may require further evidence or trial before an award can be set.
“The court cannot calculate the overtime damages because of the legal ambiguity and factual insufficiency of Plaintiffs’ filings, and thus Plaintiffs have not shouldered their burden of proving up damages.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“The Court has carefully reviewed Magistrate Judge Robert M. Illman's Report and Recommendation (Dkt. No. 8 ('Report')) recommending that the notice of removal (Dkt. No. 1) be dismissed and the action be remanded to the Lake County Superior Court. No party filed an objection. The Court finds the Report correct, well-reasoned, and thorough, and adopts it in every respect.”
“Presently before the Court is a Report and Recommendation ('R&R') on Plaintiffs' motion for default judgment prepared by Magistrate Judge Robert M. Illman (the 'Magistrate'). ... the Court hereby defers full consideration of the R&R and directs Plaintiffs to show cause why the motion for default judgment should not be denied and the entry of default set aside to permit amendment of the complaint and proper service of summons. ... In this case, service on Foot Traffic Shoes was not in accord with the standards applicable to individuals.”
“Both parties have consented to the jurisdiction of a magistrate judge (dkts. 4, 9) and both parties have moved for summary judgment ... For the reasons stated below, Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment is granted, and Defendant's Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment is denied. ... This case is remanded for further proceedings consistent with this order.”
“Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment is granted, and Defendant's Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment is denied.”
“IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security is REVERSED, and this case is REMANDED for the immediate calculation and award of back-pay benefits. A separate judgment shall issue.”
“For the foregoing reasons, Defendant’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment is DENIED.”
“For the foregoing reasons, the court GRANTS IN PART and DENIES IN PART the Motion for Summary Judgment. Plaintiffs are entitled to damages, and to an award of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.”
“Accordingly, Robinhood’s Letter Brief (dkt. 103) is DENIED.”
“Accordingly, Plaintiffs’ Letter Brief (dkt. 104) is DENIED.”
“Defendants are ordered to carry out their offer to identify and map their production, without conditions, along with their offer related to the AutoBase production, but otherwise Plaintiffs’ motion is DENIED as overbroad.”
“Accordingly, the court GRANTS Defendants’ request for an order and ORDERS that Plaintiffs must cure the deficiencies as identified in the Letter Brief, with substantial completion to occur by June 30, 2026.”
“Motion to Appeal In Forma Pauperis is DENIED. However, some of the issues appealed are not frivolous, so the court does not certify that the appeal is made in bad faith, and Plaintiff may reapply to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for in forma pauperis status.”
“Accordingly, the Motion to Amend Complaint is GRANTED.”
“Accordingly, the Motion to Strike is DENIED.”
“For the reasons stated above, the court GRANTS Plaintiff’s counsel’s motion for attorney’s fees.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
As the resident North Coast magistrate judge, Illman handles a broad directly assigned caseload dominated by Social Security disability appeals, alongside civil-rights, disability-employment, federal tort and personal-injury, labor and employee-benefit, False Claims Act, and copyright matters. The durations measure filing to termination, not motion-to-ruling time.
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