Lawrence Paul Zatkoff
How Judge Zatkoff rules, drawn from 18 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Zatkoff no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Zatkoff decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
The court declined to turn the closed federal contract action into a separate dispute over a former lawyer's lien and claimed third-party rights.
“judicial economy and comity are better served by allowing a Michigan court to make the determinations of Michigan law required to resolve McAlpine’s claims.”
Procedural preferences
The court refused to dismiss a former inmate's medical-care action under a prisoner-only exhaustion provision.
“Since Plaintiff was not a prisoner at the time he commenced the present suit, the PLRA’s exhaustion requirement does not apply.”
Cautions
Although several product theories failed, conflicting evidence about design defect required a jury determination and kept implied warranty in the case.
“whether the router was defective is a genuine issue of material fact to be decided by the jury.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that McAlpine’s Motion to Enforce Charging Lien and Settlement Agreement [dkt. 29] is DENIED.”
“IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Government’s motion to withdraw the bankruptcy reference (Case Nos. 10-71403, 10-71404) [dkt 2] is GRANTED.”
“Defendant Nautilus's Motion for Default Judgment [dkt. # 20] is hereby DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.”
“IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Smirman’s motion to quash subpoena [dkt 1] is GRANTED IN PART;”
“IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiffs’ unopposed motion to seal Exhibits D and E to their response brief [dkt 6] is GRANTED.”
“Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss based on Plaintiffs failure to exhaust administrative remedies must be DENIED.”
“IT IS ORDERED that defendant’s Motion to Reassign Case is denied insofar as it seeks reassignment pursuant to E.D.Mich. LR 83.11(b)(2).”
“IT IS ORDERED that Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment is GRANTED and Plaintiffs’ Motion for Summary Judgment is DENIED as moot.”
“the Court hereby ORDERS that the Government’s Motion to Dismiss the Indictment With Prejudice (Docket # 27) is GRANTED.”
“For the above reasons, the Court HEREBY GRANTS, in part, Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment.”
“IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiffs’ Emergency Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order [dkt. 8] is GRANTED.”
“IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiffs motion for summary judgment [dkt 18] is DENIED”
“IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants’ motion for summary judgment [dkt 21] is GRANTED.”
“IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Defendant’s motion for summary judgment [dkt. 36] is GRANTED.”
“Defendant’s motion for leave to file excess pages [dkt. 35] is GRANTED”
“Defendant’s second-filed motion for summary judgment [dkt. 37] is DENIED as MOOT.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
Zatkoff carried a general civil and criminal trial docket, served as chief judge, and continued handling cases in senior status. The contested outcomes described here come from his published district-court opinions.
A historical record
Judge Zatkoff 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.