Earl Eugene O'Connor
Judge O'Connor no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge O'Connor decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
O’Connor left causation for the factfinder when the evidence did not permit only one result.
“the issue of causation must be decided by the trier of fact.”
He enforced an arbitration clause where the claims fell within its scope and federal policy favored arbitrability.
“evinces a strong federal policy in favor of arbitration.”
Procedural preferences
He allowed amendment when fraud allegations could be brought into compliance with the federal pleading rules.
“Plaintiffs are granted leave to amend their Complaint”
He awarded the costs and attorney fees associated with obtaining an improper-removal remand.
“plaintiffs’ request for recovery of their costs and attorneys’ fees associated with obtaining this remand order is granted.”
Cautions
He required more than the possibility of ultimate success at the pleading stage, while preserving claims that were adequately stated.
“we simply hold that he has stated a claim.”
He denied relief from a default judgment when the movant failed to present a meritorious defense.
“has not stated a meritorious defense to plaintiff’s claim.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“defendant’s motion to dismiss (Doc. # 16) is denied.”
“defendant’s motion to dismiss (Doc. #4) is granted.”
“plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment against defendant Bill Owens d/b/a Beamer’s Garage Bar & Grill (Doc. #24) is denied.”
“defendant Gehl’s motion for summary judgment (Doc. # 42) is denied.”
“Appellants’ motion to reconsider (Doc. # 12) is denied.”
“the Clerk tax costs against plaintiff Marcell E. Denmon in the amount of $4,074.21.”
“defendant Wayne C. Buford’s Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment (Doc. # 5) is denied.”
“Appellants’ emergency motion for stay and injunction pending appeal of the bankruptcy court’s order of conversion to Chapter 7 is denied.”
“the joint motion of Sunflower Racing, Inc., doing business as The Woodlands, and Hollywood Park, Inc., for a stay pending appeal of the bankruptcy court’s order denying confirmation of Debtor’s reorganization plan (Doc. # 2) is denied.”
“plaintiffs’ motion to remand (Doc. #4) is granted.”
“defendant’s first motion in limine (Doc. # 84) is denied.”
“defendants’ Motion to Dismiss (Doe. #3) is denied.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
Median case duration in the sampled dockets: 1595 days (N = 20).
The 20 located assigned cases filed from 1976 through 1987 were all terminated and are not a career-wide caseload measure.
A historical record
Judge O'Connor no longer hears cases. This profile stays available as a record of how they ruled. If you're preparing for a matter, start from the court's current bench.