Holly A. Brady
How Judge Brady rules, drawn from 10 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
How Judge Brady decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
On employment-discrimination summary-judgment motions Brady grants the defense where no genuine issue ties the adverse action to the protected characteristic, going straight to the pretext inquiry under McDonnell Douglas/Ortiz (for example where the selected candidates were rated higher or the plaintiff was fired for documented misconduct).
“Because FWCS has shown that it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law, its motion will be granted.”
At screening, Brady uses public court records to test whether the complaint's own factual premise is viable; where those records showed a timely probable-cause determination and a constitutionally prompt initial hearing, she dismissed and denied further amendment as futile.
“DISMISSES this case pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A because the complaint does not state any viable claims.”
In the reviewed preliminary-injunction ruling, Brady found a reasonable likelihood of success where a statutory amendment appeared to impose a new registration duty after the plaintiff's earlier obligation had expired, and she treated the continuing constitutional injury as irreparable harm.
“For the reasons explained above, the Court: (1) GRANTS the Motion for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction (ECF No. 3); and (2) Finds that no bond shall be required of Lacey under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(c).”
Procedural preferences
She gives self-represented litigants a concrete amendment roadmap when defects may be curable, including instructions to identify each defendant's conduct, use a short and plain statement, and separate unrelated claims; she denies another amendment when limitations or immunity make cure futile.
“GRANTS Michael Anthony Strack until November 7, 2024, to file an amended complaint; and (4) CAUTIONS Michael Anthony Strack if he does not respond by the deadline, this case will be dismissed under 28 U.S.C. § 1915A without further notice because the current complaint does not state a claim for which relief can be granted.”
At the pleading stage, Brady declined to resolve a contractual limitations defense when the complaint did not unambiguously establish the relevant dates, and she declined to convert the motion into one for summary judgment where discovery could clarify those facts.
“For the reasons stated above, the Court: (1) DENIES Sun Life’s Motion to Dismiss (ECF No. 14); and (2) GRANTS Cebalt leave to file, within fourteen days of the issuance of this order, an amended complaint amending only her bad faith claim.”
Cautions
On a 28 U.S.C. 2255 motion she denies relief and a certificate of appealability where the substantive grounds are procedurally defaulted under a knowing collateral-review waiver in the plea agreement and any ineffective-assistance claim fails Strickland's performance prong.
“Because his first two arguments are procedurally defaulted under the appeal waiver in his plea agreement and his ineffective assistance of counsel argument lacks merit, his 2255 petition will be DENIED.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Because the Court finds no genuine issue of fact connecting Tucker's termination and her pregnancy, Familia's motion for summary judgment will be granted.”
“Because FWCS has shown that it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law, its motion will be granted.”
“Because his first two arguments are procedurally defaulted under the appeal waiver in his plea agreement and his ineffective assistance of counsel argument lacks merit, his 2255 petition will be DENIED.”
Screening order for a self-represented former detainee. The complaint was too vague under Rule 8 and combined unrelated grievances against twenty defendants, but the court allowed amendment and gave detailed instructions for a short, plain, claim-specific pleading. Verbatim disposition: 'GRANTS Michael Anthony Strack until November 7, 2024, to file an amended complaint; and (4) CAUTIONS Michael Anthony Strack if he does not respond by the deadline, this case will be dismissed under 28 U.S.C. § 1915A without further notice because the current complaint does not state a claim for which relief can be granted.'
Screening dismissal of a prisoner's amended complaint challenging a 2020 vehicle seizure and a state judge's dismissal of related litigation. The pleaded dates showed the federal claim was time-barred, and judicial immunity barred the claim against the state judge; further amendment was denied as futile. Verbatim disposition: 'For these reasons, this case is DISMISSED under 28 U.S.C. § 1915A because it is frivolous.' The order did not state whether dismissal was with or without prejudice.
Screening dismissal of a prisoner's Fourth Amendment claims about the timing of probable-cause and initial-hearing proceedings. Judicially noticed state-court records showed probable cause was found less than twenty-four hours after arrest, and the post-holiday initial hearing was not objectively unreasonable. Further amendment was denied as futile. Verbatim disposition: 'DISMISSES this case pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A because the complaint does not state any viable claims.' The order did not state whether dismissal was with or without prejudice.
“Accordingly, Groeneweg’s Motion to Reconsider (ECF 32) is DENIED.”
“The Motion for Attorney Fees (ECF No. 23) is GRANTED in the amount of $14,959.50.”
“For the reasons stated above, the Court: (1) DENIES Sun Life’s Motion to Dismiss (ECF No. 14); and (2) GRANTS Cebalt leave to file, within fourteen days of the issuance of this order, an amended complaint amending only her bad faith claim.”
“For the reasons explained above, the Court: (1) GRANTS the Motion for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction (ECF No. 3); and (2) Finds that no bond shall be required of Lacey under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(c).”
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