George La Plata
How Judge Plata rules, drawn from 20 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Plata no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Plata decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
The court applied judicial estoppel after the employee had obtained a large injury award by asserting permanent disability and then sought reinstatement on an inconsistent theory.
“Plaintiff did assert an inconsistent position in the prior FELA action.”
Procedural preferences
The court excluded estimates of unliquidated emotional-distress damages because the interrogatory answers could mislead the jury and inhibit candid discovery responses.
“the probative value, if any, of Plaintiff’s Answers to Defendant’s Second Set of Interrogatories numbered 38 and 39 is greatly outweighed by the unfairness”
Cautions
The school board's open-meetings violation was established, but the court sent the intent question forward because civil liability required an intentional violation.
“this Court cannot determine, as a matter of law, whether the transgression of the five board members was intentional.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“WHEREFORE, Plaintiff’s Motion to Remand the ease to the Wayne County Circuit Court is DENIED.”
“Accordingly, Plaintiff’s Motion to Remand is DENIED.”
“the Court DISMISSES the action with prejudice, pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 37(b)(2)(C).”
“Accordingly, Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment is GRANTED.”
“Therefore, Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment is GRANTED.”
“WHEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Motion to Remand be GRANTED.”
“IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Motion for Attorney’s Fees be DENIED.”
“WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs Motion to prohibit Defendant from introducing her answers to the two aforementioned interrogatories is GRANTED.”
“Accordingly, plaintiffs’ motion is GRANTED and summary judgment is ENTERED barring arbitration of the 14 investments made between July 1983 and February 1987.”
“plaintiffs’ application for leave to bring this action is GRANTED.”
“temporary restraining order is DENIED.”
“are hereby preliminarily enjoined:”
“Consequently, Plaintiff’s Motion to Strike Defendant’s Counterclaim is DENIED.”
“Consequently, Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment is GRANTED.”
“this Court GRANTS Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
La Plata carried a general civil and criminal trial docket in the Eastern District of Michigan. The contested outcomes described here come from his published district-court opinions.
A historical record
Judge Plata 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.