Michael A. Crawford
How Judge Crawford rules, drawn from 14 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
How Judge Crawford decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
A preliminary-injunction movant must establish every required element; proof of only one factor did not justify stopping an arbitration that could efficiently liquidate a bankruptcy claim.
“At best Ferrandino has satisfied one of the four elements necessary to obtain a preliminary injunction.”
Procedural preferences
At summary judgment, the court rejected new conspiracy and recourse theories that were absent from the complaint after discovery had closed.
“Thomas may not expand the pleadings in an attempt to recover funds for conspiracy or to make out some kind of claim pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 1111(b)(1)(A)”
Cautions
In a contested compensation application, extensive block billing contributed to an award below the amount requested even though the court allowed more than the former customary amount.
“For these reasons, Mr. Hoke’s application, as supplemented and amended on March 24, 2023, is approved over the objection and the amended objection of the Trustee, but only for a fee of $3,480”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Accordingly, the court finds in favor of Defendants and against Plaintiffs on all counts.”
“Accordingly, the debt evidenced by the Judgment is deemed nondischargeable under section 523(a)(6) of the Bankruptcy Code on account of Stutsman’s willful and malicious injury suffered at the hands of Shaun.”
“For these reasons, Mr. Hoke’s application, as supplemented and amended on March 24, 2023, is approved over the objection and the amended objection of the Trustee, but only for a fee of $3,480”
“After hearing argument of counsel on summary judgment, and for the reasons orally rendered, the court denied summary judgment”
“much less in a willful manner warranting sanctions. Therefore, Debtor is not entitled to an award of actual damages (she has none) or discretionary punitive damages.”
“At the time of trial, however, the Debtor had already received the post-petition funds and therefore turnover as a remedy has been rendered moot.”
“Accordingly, the Motion for Preliminary Injunction is denied.”
“Therefore, Mr. Hicks’ objection to their claim will be sustained in the amount of $74,065.45.”
“Therefore, the Rincons are entitled to a money judgment of $70,184.51. Finally, because this award of money damages emanates from Mr. Hicks’ actual fraud, it is deemed nondischargeable pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2)(A).”
“The court finds that competent summary judgment evidence demonstrates that there are no genuine issues of material fact with respect to the Banks’ Motion, and MRB and MMB are entitled to judgment as a matter of law without the need for a trial.”
“Thomas’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment is denied in its entirety.”
“Kologik’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment is granted in part and denied in part.”
“To the extent not mooted by the rulings herein, the Motion in Limine is granted.”
“Accordingly, the United States’ Motion to Quash is granted.”
“Ms. Smith’s Motion to Dismiss is being treated as one seeking summary judgment because she expanded the pleadings with several affidavits. The motion is denied, however, because there are numerous contested issues of material fact”
“Tower’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment is granted in part and denied in part.”
“The court finds in favor of Ms. Smith and against Tower. Ms. Smith’s debt to Tower is a dischargeable debt in her bankruptcy case.”
“For these reasons, this case is dismissed for the Debtor’s failure to rebut the presumption of abuse under section 707(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code.”
“However, the dismissal will not be accompanied by a discretionary bar to refiling under section 349 of the Bankruptcy Code.”
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