Jessica S. Allen
How Judge Allen rules, drawn from 17 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
About Judge Allen
Jessica S. Allen was appointed a United States magistrate judge for the District of New Jersey on February 17, 2021. She previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey and as a partner at The Killian Firm.
Judge Allen's practices and standing orders
Rules for cases before Judge Allen, as published on the court's website (checked October 8, 2026). Judges revise these often, so confirm the current version on the court's site before you file.
Key rules
Filing
Mail one courtesy copy of submissions exceeding 20 pages.
“One courtesy copy of all submissions exceeding 20 pages should be sent by regular mail to chambers.”
Motions
Attach a redlined or blacklined proposed pleading to a motion to amend or add parties.
“Any motions for leave to amend the pleadings and/or add or join parties must include, as an exhibit in support of the motion, a black-lined or red-lined version of the proposed amended pleading that shows any changes.”
Discovery
Obtain leave before filing a formal discovery motion.
“No formal discovery motion shall be made without prior leave of Court.”
Standing orders for every case in this court
Orders the court applies to all of its cases, whichever judge has them, as published on the court's website (checked October 9, 2026).
- Second Amended Standing Order 2026-02: In Re Increase in Immigration-Related Habeas Corpus Petitions seeking Emergent Relief ↗
- Standing Order 2025-05: IN RE Procedures for Access to and Service of Sealed Documents ↗
- Standing Order 2025-04: IN RE "Schedule A" Cases ↗
- Standing Order 2024-03: In re: Amendment to Procedures for Requesting, Filing, and Management of Highly Sensitive Documents and Guidance for Same ↗
- Standing Order 2024-02: Electronic Signatures ↗
How Judge Allen decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
On a timeliness-based remand she follows the Third Circuit majority view: an amended pleading that would create federal jurisdiction does not become removable upon mere notice of, or consent to, a motion for leave to amend: only once the state court grants leave and the amendment becomes effective does the 30-day removal clock start. A removal filed within 30 days of that effective date is timely.
“an amended complaint that would provide a basis for subject matter jurisdiction does not become removable until the motion to amend is granted and the amended complaint becomes effective.”
In Township of Cranford v. Cranford Harrison Developers, Allen recommended remand after finding the defendants had not filed the removal notice with the state court clerk. She also found the municipality’s requested zoning relief did not establish the amount in controversy required for diversity jurisdiction.
“removal statutes 'are to be strictly construed against removal and all doubts should be resolved in favor of remand.' ... the Court finds, to a legal certainty, that Plaintiff cannot recover more than $75,000 based on the claims and allegations asserted.”
Cautions
In a default dispute, Allen vacated the entry after the defendant offered facially plausible defenses and the record did not establish willful or bad faith delay.
“has not been proven to be willful or in bad faith.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“this Court respectfully recommends that Plaintiff's Motion to Remand be DENIED. ... an amended complaint that would provide a basis for subject matter jurisdiction does not become removable until the motion to amend is granted and the amended complaint becomes effective.”
“this Court respectfully recommends that this matter be REMANDED, rather than dismissed, to the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division, Union County.”
“the Court cannot conclude that the removal was made for any improper purpose, and thus Defendants lacked an 'objectively reasonable basis.' Therefore, the Court declines to recommend an award of costs and fees.”
“Wise’s Motion to Stay, (ECF No. 44), is DENIED.”
“the Undersigned respectfully recommends that the District Court dismiss Plaintiff's Complaint, (ECF No. 1), for failure to provide discovery, failure to prosecute, and failure to comply with Court Orders, pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(f), 37 & 41(b).”
“D'Ambly's request to compel the News Defendants to produce documents withheld based on the attorney-client privileged is GRANTED IN PART AND DENIED IN PART.”
“the Report and Recommendation (ECF No. 50) is hereby adopted in its entirety and entered; and ... the motion for voluntary dismissal (ECF No. 46) is GRANTED and Plaintiff's claims are DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE”
“1. Plaintiff's Final Approval Motion is GRANTED in its entirety... 17. This Action is dismissed on the merits and with prejudice, permanently barring the Plaintiff and Class Members from filing, commencing, prosecuting, or pursuing the claims released per the terms of the Settlement... 19. This Order shall constitute a judgment for purposes of FRCP 58.”
“2. The Application is declared approved... 7. The complaint is dismissed without prejudice and without fees, costs, disbursements, damages, interest or attorneys' fees against any party. The Court shall retain jurisdiction over this matter until... Upon the last of the foregoing to occur, this action will be dismissed with prejudice.”
“6. The Court hereby approves the Settlement and hereby orders that the Settlement shall be consummated and implemented in accordance with its terms and conditions... 17. The operative Complaint in the Action and all claims asserted therein are hereby dismissed with prejudice and without costs... 25. Judgment: The Court hereby enters judgment on all claims, counts and causes of action alleged in the Action.”
“14. Class Counsel is awarded Attorneys' Fees in the amount of $150,000.00, and litigation costs and expenses ... The Court finds that Class Counsel's efforts in this litigation and the results achieved on behalf of the Class merit an award of the requested Attorneys' Fees.”
“16. The Court hereby grants final approval of the Class Settlement as set forth in the Settlement Agreement and all its terms and provisions... the Court has carefully analyzed each of the factors set forth in Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(e)(2), Girsh v. Jepson, 521 F.2 153, 157 (3d Cir. 1975)... 18. The Action is hereby dismissed with prejudice and without costs.”
“ORDER granting 110 Motion for Attorney Fees and Reimbursement of Expenses, as well as Plaintiffs' Service Awards. Signed by Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen on 1/15/2025.”
“motion to compel the deposition, (ECF No. 118), is DENIED”
“cross-motion for a protective order precluding the deposition is GRANTED”
“motion to enforce the settlement (ECF No. 90) is GRANTED in part”
Pending matters in the official report
Reported by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts under the Civil Justice Reform Act, as of March 31, 2026.
| Motions pending more than six months | 0 |
| Bench trials submitted more than six months | 0 |
| Bankruptcy appeals pending more than six months | 0 |
| Social Security appeals pending more than six months | 0 |
| Civil cases pending more than three years | 0 |
| Report | Motions over six months | Cases over three years |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 2025 | 0 | 1 |
| Sep 2024 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 2024 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 2023 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 2023 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 2022 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 2022 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 2021 | 0 | 0 |
A snapshot on that date: matters listed may since have been decided or reassigned. A motion referred to a magistrate judge is counted for both judges. Motions in multidistrict litigation, section 2255 cases and Social Security appeals are not counted, and a very large three-year count is generally a multidistrict docket. Source: Appendix A of the report (PDF); about the report.
How long civil cases take in this court
For the whole of U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, not for Judge Allen: median time from filing to disposition of the civil cases the court closed in the 12 months ending September 30, 2025, as reported by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.
| Cases | Median time | |
|---|---|---|
| All civil cases closed | 8,970 | 8.1 months |
| Closed with no court action | 370 | 4.6 months |
| Closed before pretrial | 6,266 | 5.3 months |
| Closed during or after pretrial | 2,317 | 14.4 months |
| Closed during trial | 17 | 36.6 months |
| 12 months ending | Cases closed | Median time |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | 8,970 | 8.1 months |
| Sep 2024 | 7,921 | 8.1 months |
| Sep 2023 | 8,378 | 10.3 months |
| Sep 2022 | 7,053 | 7.9 months |
| Sep 2021 | 9,064 | 9.2 months |
| Sep 2020 | 9,031 | 9.9 months |
| Sep 2019 | 10,590 | 9 months |
The table leaves out prisoner petitions, land condemnations, deportation reviews, recovery of overpayments and enforcement of judgments, and reports no median for fewer than 10 cases. A district that closed a large multidistrict litigation in the period shows very large counts and long medians for that year. Source: Table C-5, U.S. District Courts (spreadsheet).
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