Keri L. Holleb Hotaling
How Judge Hotaling decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
When the administrative record lacked supporting medical opinion evidence, she treated the resulting gap between raw findings and a functional-capacity assessment as a reason to remand.
“ALJs, after all, ‘must rely on expert opinions instead of determining the significance of particular medical findings themselves.’”
At summary judgment, she allowed a remediation claim to proceed where the evidence supported a causal link and experts disputed whether the contractor had restored acceptable conditions.
“the Court is persuaded that enough of a causal link has been demonstrated between the February 1, 2019 water intrusion events and the mold remaining in the property after Belfor’s remediation efforts”
Procedural preferences
She requires diligence before reopening a long-closed discovery period and does not treat a later change in strategy as good cause.
“Defendants’ motion reflects strategic reconsideration, not diligence, and the Seventh Circuit has made clear that lack of diligence is fatal under Rule 16.”
For retained experts, she expects a disclosure detailed enough to permit a deposition and an informed decision about rebuttal evidence.
“That’s it, and nothing more. It is simply nowhere near enough.”
Cautions
She excluded evidence disclosed after the opposing expert could use it, concluding that the resulting prejudice could not be repaired on the eve of trial.
“Ultimately, Belfor held off providing Ford’s declaration to the Wexlers until after it was too late for the Wexlers to take any discovery on it or even allow Rush to consider it in forming his own opinion.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment [Dkt. 12] is DENIED and Defendant’s motion for summary judgment [Dkt. 14] is GRANTED.”
“Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment (Dkt. 19) is DENIED, and the Commissioner’s motion for summary judgment (Dkt. 22) is GRANTED.”
“Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment [Dkt. 12] is DENIED and Defendant’s motion for summary judgment [Dkt. 20] is GRANTED.”
“Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment (Dkt. 17) is GRANTED, and the Commissioner’s motion for summary judgment (Dkt. 19) is DENIED.”
“Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment [Dkt. 12] is GRANTED and the Commissioner’s motion for summary judgment [Dkt. 14] is DENIED; the Court hereby remands this matter for further proceedings.”
“Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment (Dkt. 15) is DENIED and Defendant’s motion for summary judgment (Dkt. 20) is GRANTED.”
“Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment (Dkt. 12) is GRANTED, and the Commissioner’s motion for summary judgment (Dkt. 13) is DENIED.”
“Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment [Dkt. 13] is GRANTED and Defendant’s motion for summary judgment [Dkt. 14] is DENIED; the Court hereby remands this matter for further proceedings.”
“For all the foregoing reasons, Defendant Chubb National Insurance Co.’s motion for summary judgment [Dkt. 252] is granted in part and denied in part.”
“The Wexlers’ motion [Dkt. 257] to exclude is granted.”
“For all the foregoing reasons, the Wexlers’ motion for partial summary judgment [Dkt. 268] is granted only as to Chubb’s First Affirmative Defense.”
“Defendant Belfor USA Group Inc.’s Motion for Summary Judgment [Dkt. 259] is DENIED.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
The eleven analyzed matters consist of eight consent Social Security appeals, one insurance-contract action, one shareholder and fiduciary-duty dispute, and one civil-rights action after appellate remand. This fixed evidence-rich sample describes the decisions reviewed, not the judge's overall caseload.
Put Judge Hotaling's record to work
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Opens in Ezel Pro. Every answer is grounded in Judge Hotaling's own signed orders and cites them.