Thomas J. Shields
How Judge Shields decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Procedural preferences
Shields actively manages his consent cases toward resolution and uses unresisted-motion rules to keep them moving: in Limon v. Azteca he granted plaintiffs' unresisted motions to amend under Local Rule 7(f), granted conditional FLSA certification, entered a stipulated protective order, and -- when no closing documents were filed after a reported settlement -- set a status/settlement hearing and ordered a corporate officer to appear in person until closing papers were filed. Practical note: before this judge, comply with deadlines (he will set hearings and compel appearances to enforce them) and expect unresisted motions to be granted promptly under L.R. 7(f).
“ORDER granting 20 Plaintiffs' Motion for Conditional Certification and Notice to Class Members. Signed by Magistrate Judge Thomas J. Shields on 4/5/2011.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
Median case duration in the sampled dockets: 426 days (N = 8).
Median motion-to-ruling time: 188 days (N = 2).
Sample of iasd dockets that docket lists with Thomas J. Shields as assigned/presiding judge, filed 2004-2014. Heavy on consent civil cases -- employment/civil-rights (Title VII), FLSA wage collective actions, ERISA, consumer credit -- and Social Security appeals, plus petty-offense/misdemeanor criminal matters (3:xx-mj). Treat as caseload shape, not a census; some entries reflect his referred (non-presiding) role.