James Russell Sweeney II
How Judge Sweeney decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In employment-discrimination cases, grants a defendant's summary judgment where the plaintiff shows no pretext — treating summary judgment as the 'put up or shut up' moment.
“IUHP's Cross Motion for Summary Judgment, (ECF No. 138), is granted on all claims. The case is over, and final judgment shall issue accordingly.”
Applies notice pleading faithfully — a claim 'need not plead law,' so an arguably wrong statutory label is no ground for dismissal.
“Butler's Motion to Dismiss Howell's Crossclaim, (ECF No. 74), is denied.”
Procedural preferences
Reads a forum-selection clause as permissive where its language is non-exclusive, declining to transfer, and dismisses for lack of personal jurisdiction and improper venue.
“Defendants' Motions to Dismiss, (ECF Nos. 38, 40, 49), are granted. ... This case is dismissed pursuant to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 12(b)(2) and 12(b)(3).”
Cautions
On prisoner civil-rights claims, grants a defendant's summary judgment where no constitutional violation occurred, without reaching qualified immunity.
“defendant's motion for summary judgment, dkt. [48], is granted. Final judgment consistent with this Order shall now issue.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Butler's Motion to Dismiss Howell's Crossclaim, (ECF No. 74), is denied.”
“Defendants' Motions to Dismiss, (ECF Nos. 38, 40, 49), are granted. ... This case is dismissed pursuant to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 12(b)(2) and 12(b)(3).”
“The motions for summary judgment, (ECF Nos. 65 and 69), are denied as moot.”
“Dr. Leon's Motion for Summary Judgment, (ECF No. 134), is denied, and IUHP's Cross Motion for Summary Judgment, (ECF No. 138), is granted on all claims.”
“IUHP's Cross Motion for Summary Judgment, (ECF No. 138), is granted on all claims. The case is over, and final judgment shall issue accordingly.”
“the plaintiff's motion for summary judgment, dkt. [47] is denied, and defendant's motion for summary judgment, dkt. [48], is granted.”
“defendant's motion for summary judgment, dkt. [48], is granted. Final judgment consistent with this Order shall now issue.”
“Defendants' motion for summary judgment (ECF No. 45) is granted. ... Marnocha's claims are dismissed on the merits with prejudice.”
“construes Defendant Sandra Olson-Steil's filing at ECF No. 43 as a Motion to Dismiss, and grants that Motion, (ECF No. 43). Olson-Steil is dismissed from this case.”
“Steil's Motion for Summary Judgment, (ECF No. 47), is granted and Wendy Steil is awarded the Death Benefits under policy No. 31333-5 GAT.”
“The defendants' motion to dismiss, dkt. [50], is granted insofar as the Court has dismissed the case with prejudice”
“the motion to stay, dkt. [52], is denied as moot.”
“Mahurin's Motion for Summary Judgment, (ECF No. 92), is granted.”
“The remaining Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment, (ECF No. 88), is granted.”
“Mr. Jordan's petition for a writ of habeas corpus must be denied and the action dismissed.”
“his motion for relief pursuant to § 2255 is DENIED and this action is dismissed with prejudice.”
“the new motion for summary judgment, (ECF No. 75), is denied.”
Screening order under 28 U.S.C. Section 1915A in a prisoner Section 1983 case. The court dismissed the amended complaint, finding the jail failure-to-protect and conspiracy claims arising from a June 2020 attack time-barred under Indiana's two-year limitations period, the claims about disparaging songs frivolous and delusional, and the song-related defendants improper private actors not subject to Section 1983. The court gave the plaintiff until July 13, 2026 to show cause why judgment should not enter, and denied his several ancillary motions (including an unrelated preliminary-injunction request for paternity testing) as lacking any nexus to the case. Grounding: 'As presented, this case is frivolous and deserves no further judicial time.'
Put Judge Sweeney's record to work
Ezel drafts and answers grounded in this exact profile: how Judge Sweeney actually rules, not a generic AI guess.
Opens in Ezel Pro. Every answer is grounded in Judge Sweeney's own signed orders and cites them.