Janis van Meerveld
How Judge Meerveld decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Procedural preferences
On unopposed EAJA and lodestar fee motions, recommends granting a reasonable fee, applying a cost-of-living adjustment above the statutory cap where justified.
“it is RECOMMENDED that the plaintiff's motion for attorney's fees be GRANTED and that plaintiff be awarded $4077.50 in reasonable attorney's fees.”
Enforces expert-disclosure scheduling deadlines under the harmlessness factors, excluding a late expert whose delay is unexplained while admitting another subject to a monetary sanction.
“Because plaintiff has failed to establish good cause for her delay as to the Randle report, IT IS ORDERED that the Supplemental and Amending Motion in Limine to Exclude Expert Testimony of Randle (Rec. Doc. 104) is GRANTED. Randle will not be allowed to present expert testimony at trial.”
Cautions
On a Rule 12(b)(6) qualified-immunity motion in prisoner cases, recommends allowing a claim against an individual defendant to proceed while dismissing the remaining claims with prejudice.
“Magistrate Judge van Meerveld recommended that the Court deny defendants' motion to dismiss as to plaintiff's claim against EMT Jacob in his individual capacity, and grant the remainder of defendants' motion, dismissing the remaining claims against defendants with prejudice. ... The Court adopts Magistrate Judge van Meerveld's R&R as its opinion.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“it is RECOMMENDED that the plaintiff's motion for attorney's fees be GRANTED and that plaintiff be awarded $4077.50 in reasonable attorney's fees.”
“Magistrate Judge van Meerveld recommended that the Court deny defendants' motion to dismiss as to plaintiff's claim against EMT Jacob in his individual capacity, and grant the remainder of defendants' motion, dismissing the remaining claims against defendants with prejudice. ... The Court adopts Magistrate Judge van Meerveld's R&R as its opinion.”
“it is RECOMMENDED that the Motion be GRANTED and that the Court award plaintiff its reasonable attorneys' fees and costs in the amount of $17,107.”
“Because plaintiff has failed to establish good cause for her delay as to the Randle report, IT IS ORDERED that the Supplemental and Amending Motion in Limine to Exclude Expert Testimony of Randle (Rec. Doc. 104) is GRANTED. Randle will not be allowed to present expert testimony at trial.”
“Because the importance of the Dietze testimony outweighs the prejudice and Ms. Jefferson's failure to explain her delay, the Motion in Limine to Limit and Exclude Expert Testimony of Dr. Dietze (Rec. Doc. 101) is DENIED; however, as a sanction for the delay ... Ms. Jefferson's counsel shall pay Barriere's reasonable attorneys' fees of $7,500 within 30 days.”
Her R&R (2025-07-23, R. Doc. 10) is supported by DJ Vance's adoption order (2025-09-02). Pro se IFP state-prisoner sec1983 reviewed under 1915/Spears screening; recommended DISMISSAL WITH PREJUDICE as frivolous and for failure to state a claim. Objection overruled, ADOPTED (federal claims w/prej; state-law claims dismissed w/o prejudice). This screening dismissal did not resolve a party motion.
“Motions to Compel are hereby GRANTED in part and DENIED in part”
“a partial award of attorneys' fees is appropriate”
“GRANTED in part and DENIED in part”
“Motion for Leave to File First Amended and Supplemental Complaint (Rec. Doc. 20) is GRANTED”
“The Motion to Terminate or Dissolve the Consent Decree (Rec. Doc. 157) is taken under submission pending the resolution of the preceding questions”
Sua sponte screening recommendation of dismissal without prejudice for improper venue and lack of personal jurisdiction after a show-cause order (no party motion).
Put Judge Meerveld's record to work
Ezel drafts and answers grounded in this exact profile: how Judge Meerveld actually rules, not a generic AI guess.
Opens in Ezel Pro. Every answer is grounded in Judge Meerveld's own signed orders and cites them.