Maria E. Garcia
How Judge Garcia decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
636(c) consent Social-Security review: applies the deferential Second Circuit substantial-evidence standard and will not reweigh evidence ('whether substantial evidence supports the ALJ's decision', not the claimant's view); treats documented treatment noncompliance and post-onset academic/work activity as permissible credibility factors.
“once an ALJ finds facts, [a reviewing court] can reject those facts only if a reasonable factfinder would have to conclude otherwise.”
Procedural preferences
Expects a timely, carefully-considered Rule 26(f) report and usually defers to counsel's scheduling agreements; does not accept letter briefs or unauthorized sur-replies; resolves discovery disputes by telephonic conference (per her chambers practices). Requires Local Rule 7(b) good cause for extensions.
“Judge Garcia expects counsel to prepare and timely file a carefully considered 26(f) Report.”
Cautions
Prisoner/pro se IFP: a blanket-zero financial affidavit that does not explain how the applicant supports himself is incomplete and will not establish entitlement; she orders the applicant to cure or pay rather than granting on a bare form.
“it is insufficient to write ‘0.00’ or ‘none’ on every line of the financial statement; rather, the plaintiff must indicate with greater specificity the amount of his income, the value of his assets, and the extent of his liabilities.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Plaintiff's Motion for Order Reversing the Decision of the Commissioner or in the Alternative Motion for Remand for a Hearing is DENIED (ECF No. 22)”
“the Commissioner's Motion for an Order Affirming the Decision of the Commissioner is GRANTED (ECF No. 25). The Clerk of the Court will enter judgment in favor of Defendant.”
“the Recommended Ruling, ECF No. 23, is ADOPTED in its entirety ... Plaintiff's Motion to Reverse the Decision of the Commissioner, ECF No. 16, is DENIED”
“Defendant's Motion to Affirm the Commissioner's Decision, ECF No. 21, is GRANTED.”
“the Court orders that, by June 26, 2024, Plaintiff must either (a) pay the filing fee or (b) submit a revised financial affidavit that fully and candidly explains how he supports himself.”
“Having certified a class as defined above, and for the reasons set forth supra section IV (A)(4) (Adequacy) pursuant to Rule 23(g), the Court appoints as class counsel the law firms of Minella, Tramuta & Edwards, LLC and McCarter & English, LLP. Based on the foregoing, Plaintiff's Renewed Motion for Class Certification is granted with the modifications to the class definition discussed above. ECF No. 192. Defendant is directed to file an answer to the Third Amended Complaint within twenty-one (21) days of the date of this Order.”
“Plaintiff's Motion to Compel documents listed on Defendant's July 7 and 25, 2025 privilege logs is GRANTED. Defendant shall turn over the documents to Plaintiff within fourteen (14) days of this Order. For the reasons stated, Plaintiff's Motion to Compel is GRANTED in part and MOOT in part. ECF No. 34.”
“Warden Martin moves to dismiss Count Two of the Amended Complaint, a First Amendment retaliation claim, arguing that Plaintiff failed to exhaust administrative remedies before filing his Amended Complaint as required by the Prison Litigation Reform Act (‘PLRA’) ... For the reasons that follow, Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss is denied. ECF No. 72. ... Accordingly, the motion to dismiss Count Two of the Amended Complaint on the ground that Plaintiff did not fully exhaust his available administrative remedies and/or was not thwarted from doing so is denied. ... Based on the foregoing, Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss Count Two of the Amended Complaint [ECF No. 72] is DENIED.”
“Accordingly, Plaintiff's Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis is GRANTED.”
“For the reasons stated, Plaintiff's Motion to Compel Inspection is granted over objection.”
“The Court has carefully considered Plaintiff's Objection, supplemental arguments and newly discovered facts, and is unpersuaded. For the reasons set forth herein, the Court GRANTS plaintiff's Motion for Reconsideration (ECF No. 44) but ultimately retains its position.”
“The Court denied Plaintiff's Motion to Compel finding that Plaintiff failed to meet his burden that there was a ‘compelling need’ for the information, thus failing to overcome this Circuit's strong presumption against lifting the law enforcement privilege protecting the CI's identity.”
“Plaintiff's Motion for Order Reversing the Decision of the Commissioner or in the Alternative Motion for Remand for a Hearing is GRANTED (ECF No. 18)”
“the Commissioner's Motion for an Order Affirming the Decision of the Commissioner is DENIED. (ECF No. 26)”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
Her civil docket includes consent Social Security appeals in which she enters the final judgment, along with referred discovery, case-management, class-certification, and prisoner matters.
Put Judge Garcia's record to work
Ezel drafts and answers grounded in this exact profile: how Judge Garcia actually rules, not a generic AI guess.
Opens in Ezel Pro. Every answer is grounded in Judge Garcia's own signed orders and cites them.