Karla R. Spaulding
How Judge Spaulding rules, drawn from 7 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Spaulding no longer sits on this court. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled here.
About Judge Spaulding
Karla R. Spaulding became a United States Magistrate Judge in the Orlando Division of the Middle District of Florida in December 1997 and retired on February 28, 2019. She earned her law degree from Northwestern University and previously worked as a federal prosecutor.
How Judge Spaulding decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In International Marine Research Institute v. Rumpel, she recommended partial summary judgment that a $300,000 loan did not create a maritime lien, while leaving a separate claimed necessaries lien for further proceedings.
“I respectfully recommend that Plaintiff International Marine Research Institute Inc.'s Dispositive Motion for Summary Judgment ... be GRANTED as to the claim in Count One ... and DENIED in all other respects.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“I respectfully recommend that Plaintiff International Marine Research Institute Inc.'s Dispositive Motion for Summary Judgment ... be GRANTED as to the claim in Count One that Rumpel does not have a maritime lien against the Vessel Victoria ... in the amount of $300,000, and DENIED in all other respects.”
“The Motion for Entry of Default Final Judgment (Doc. No. 60) is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part.”
“I respectfully recommend that the Court DENY without prejudice Plaintiffs' Motion for Class Certification (Doc. No. 72), with leave to refile it, if appropriate ...”
“The Motion for Attorneys’ Fees and Costs by Richard L. Goble (Doc. No. 155) is DENIED.”
“The decision of the Commissioner is hereby REVERSED, and this case is REMANDED for further proceedings consistent with the Report and Recommendation.”
“The United States' Motion to Strike and/or Dismiss Third Party Petitioner's Claim is hereby GRANTED. Karla M. Rodriguez-Colon's Forfeiture Claim (Doc. No. 80) is hereby DISMISSED.”
In this federal capital case, Judge Spaulding held two competency hearings and recommended finding the defendant unable to stand trial and committing him for restoration treatment. She declined to require advance notice to defense counsel of medications, and the district judge overruled the limited objection and adopted her recommendation in full.
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
The reviewed caseload is descriptive and does not establish a grant rate. Judge Spaulding's referred matters produced reports and recommendations, while cases assigned with the parties' consent were dominated by Social Security appeals. Her 2017-2018 consent work also included other civil cases carried to judgment, including a TCPA suit that settled and was dismissed without prejudice.
A historical record
Judge Spaulding no longer sits on this court. This profile stays available as a record of how they ruled here. If you're preparing for a matter, start from the court's current bench.