Merrill E. Otis
How Judge Otis rules, drawn from 25 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Otis no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Otis decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In Anschutz, Otis treated a sufficiently pleaded negligence theory as capable of surviving dismissal even though particulars could later be required.
“the petition in this case states a cause of action good as against a motion to dismiss.”
Procedural preferences
In Pendergast, Otis emphasized a judge’s duty to remain on a case despite a party’s preference for someone else.
“No judge should step aside from any case merely because a litigant prefers some other judge.”
Cautions
In American Surety, Otis required a concrete threat to the federal court’s jurisdiction before enjoining related state proceedings.
“the effect of the state court proceedings would necessarily be to defeat or impair the jurisdiction of the federal court.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“For these reasons the motion is overruled.”
“The plea to the jurisdiction is overruled.”
“the motion to suppress the requests should be overruled.”
“that motion also should be overruled.”
“The order of the referee is confirmed and approved.”
“plaintiff’s complaint be and the same is dismissed.”
“the plaintiff have and recover nothing from the defendants”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
No assigned docket records were returned under three plausible Otis name variants.
A historical record
Judge Otis 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.