Andrew L. Teel
How Judge Teel decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
On Social Security appeals, Teel remands when the ALJ fails to reconcile conflicting medical-opinion evidence in the residual-functional-capacity finding, even where the claimant's brief raises just one argument.
“It is difficult to understand how Sands’ report could be rejected for containing not enough limitations and yet the ALJ failed to include any for the suggested postural limitations in the RFC.”
He will affirm a Social Security appeal outright when the claimant's brief does not engage with the substantial-evidence standard, even reading a pro se filing liberally.
“Underdeveloped arguments, including those by pro se plaintiffs, are considered waived.”
Procedural preferences
On motions to dismiss met with a motion to amend, he prefers to let the amendment go forward and have any remaining futility argument raised in a fully briefed renewed motion to dismiss, rather than resolve futility summarily within the amendment briefing.
“Defendants' arguments in opposition to the motion to amend, even if merited, remain better left for full briefing on a motion to dismiss.”
Cautions
He dismisses pro se cases with prejudice for repeated failure to appear, but only after a documented pattern (multiple missed hearings) and an explicit, unambiguous show-cause warning -- including in his own general civil docket, not just referred cases.
“Martratt has been adequately warned of the possibility of dismissal of this case.”
On summary judgment in Section 1983 cases against multiple individual defendants, he looks for evidence of that specific defendant's own personal conduct, not just their membership on a board or department that collectively took the challenged action, and will grant judgment to defendants the record does not tie to an individual act.
“For a defendant to be held liable under section 1983, he must have been personally involved in the violation of the plaintiff's constitutional rights.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“For the foregoing reasons, the Commissioner’s decision is REVERSED and the case REMANDED for further proceedings. The Clerk is DIRECTED to enter a judgment in favor of Wilson and against the Commissioner.”
“OPINION AND ORDER: The Commissioner's decision is REVERSED and the case REMANDED for further proceedings. The Clerk is DIRECTED to enter a judgment in favor of Carper and against the Commissioner.”
“OPINION AND ORDER GRANTING 19 Consent Motion for Attorney Fees Pursuant to EAJA. Pla is awarded $8,000 for attorney fees and expenses and $405 in costs in full satisfaction of any and all claims that may be payable to Plaintiff in this matter under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), 28 U.S.C. Section 2412.”
“OPINION AND ORDER: The Commissioner's decision is AFFIRMED. The Clerk is DIRECTED to enter a judgment in favor of the Commissioner and against Black.”
“OPINION AND ORDER: The Commissioner's decision is AFFIRMED. The Clerk is DIRECTED to enter a judgment in favor of the Commissioner and against Costin.”
“OPINION AND ORDER: The Commissioner's decision is AFFIRMED. The Clerk is DIRECTED to enter a judgment in favor of the Commissioner and against Moore.”
“OPINION AND ORDER Counsel's motion for authorization of attorney fees pursuant to Section 406(b) 26 is GRANTED.”
“OPINION AND ORDER GRANTING 28 Motion for Authorization of Attorney Fees Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Section 406(b) filed by Pla Jerjuana S Chambers in the amount of $16,600. Counsel is reminded of her duty to refund to Pla the $7,900 in EAJA fees previously awarded to Counsel.”
“Given that "the [C]ourt should freely give leave when justice so requires" at the Court's discretion, under Rule 15(a)(2), Plaintiffs' motion to amend (ECF 11) is GRANTED. ... Defendants' motion to dismiss (ECF 7) is DENIED as moot.”
“For the foregoing reasons, the undersigned Magistrate Judge sua sponte RECOMMENDS that Plaintiff Isaiah Malik Benjamin Martratt's claims be DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE pursuant to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 16(f)(1) and 41(b) and the Court's inherent power to manage its own affairs as a result of Martratt's failure to attend three Court proceedings -- including a show-cause hearing -- or to otherwise prosecute his case.”
“REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS: I RECOMMEND that Plaintiff Izet Tursunovic's claims be DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE pursuant to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 16(f)(1) and 41(b) and the Court's inherent power to manage its own affairs as a result of Plaintiff's failure to attend two hearings and the PPTC and respond to the Court's December 3, 2025, show-cause Order, or to otherwise prosecute his case.”
“REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION: The undersigned Magistrate Judge sua sponte RECOMMENDS that Plaintiff Diana Tran's claims be DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE pursuant to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 16(f)(1) and the Court's inherent power to manage its own affairs as a result of Plaintiff's failure to cure the deficiencies in her complaint or to otherwise prosecute her case.”
Put Judge Teel's record to work
Ezel drafts and answers grounded in this exact profile: how Judge Teel actually rules, not a generic AI guess.
Opens in Ezel Pro. Every answer is grounded in Judge Teel's own signed orders and cites them.