Stephanie Marie Rose

United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa Appointed by Barack Obama (Democratic) 7 signed orders read

How Judge Rose decides

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

What persuades

Rose applies a lenient standard to a self-represented litigant's application to proceed without prepaying fees when indigence and the nature of the action are adequately shown, even if the underlying filing is later dismissed or remanded.

“Although the Court would have welcomed a more detailed affidavit, the Court, aware that Defendant is pro se, finds Defendant has satisfied the requirements of section 1915(a) and the removal filings shall be docketed without prepayment of costs.”

Procedural preferences

Rose resolves subject-matter jurisdiction before addressing the merits when a motion combines jurisdictional and failure-to-state-a-claim arguments.

“As a threshold matter, the Court must address Defendants’ claim under Rule 12(b)(1) that this Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction.”

Summarily remands improper pro se removals: she promptly examines a notice of removal under 28 U.S.C. 1455(b)(4) and remands where 1443's requirements are not met or Rooker-Feldman/Younger bar jurisdiction, rather than letting the case linger.

“Removal here was improper and remand is appropriate.”

Cautions

Rose denies summary judgment when the record presents a genuine dispute over a material fact, including disputes about defective equipment or compliance with a safety rule.

“The parties dispute whether Andrews correctly followed BNSF's training and rules governing the release of hand brakes.”

On a Rule 12(b)(6) motion she declines to consider a movant's extraneous exhibits (FDA webpages, regulatory affidavits) and will not convert the motion to summary judgment to reach a preemption defense; the defense must wait for a developed record.

“For the reasons outlined below, the motion to dismiss is DENIED.”

Signed rulings

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

Farris v. American Medical Systems, Inc.
· 2015-08-14
Motions to dismiss (defendant) Denied

“For the reasons outlined below, the motion to dismiss is DENIED.”

Charleston v. McCarthy
4:15-cv-00372-SMR-HCA · 2016-03-30
Motions to dismiss (defendant) Granted

“Because the Court concludes that Plaintiffs Complaint in this case fails to state a claim that is plausible on its face, the Court grants Defendants’ motion to dismiss.”

Motion to abate (defendant) Moot / procedural

“ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO DISMISS AND DENYING AS MOOT MOTION TO ABATE”

Andrews v. BNSF Railway Co.
· 2018-01-04
Summary judgment (defendant) Denied

“As explained below, BNSF's motion is DENIED.”

J.S.X. ex rel. D.S.X. v. Foxhoven
· 2019-02-19
Summary judgment (defendant) Granted in part

“As explained below, Defendants' motion is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part.”

State v. Tennant
· 2017-06-23
Motion for leave to proceed ifp (defendant (pro se)) Granted

“the Court, aware that Defendant is pro se, finds Defendant has satisfied the requirements of section 1915(a) and the removal filings shall be docketed without prepayment of costs.”

Holladay v. Rockwell Collins, Inc.
1:18-cv-00009 · 2019-01-24
Summary judgment (defendant) Denied

“Before the Court are the parties' cross-motions for summary judgment, [ECF Nos. 33; 35]. ... For the reasons set out below, the motions are DENIED.”

Summary judgment (plaintiff) Denied
Business Leaders in Christ v. University of Iowa
· 2019-02-06
Summary judgment (plaintiff) Granted in part

“Plaintiff Business Leaders in Christ (‘BLinC’) seeks summary judgement in its favor on its various claims that the University violated its First Amendment rights ... As explained below, both motions are GRANTED in part and DENIED in part.”

Summary judgment (defendant) Granted in part

“Defendants ... move for partial summary judgment in favor of the individual Defendants on the grounds of qualified immunity. ... As explained below, both motions are GRANTED in part and DENIED in part.”

Put Judge Rose's record to work

Ezel drafts and answers grounded in this exact profile: how Judge Rose actually rules, not a generic AI guess.

Opens in Ezel Pro. Every answer is grounded in Judge Rose's own signed orders and cites them.