José R. Almonte
How Judge Almonte decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
A mandatory forum-selection clause receives controlling weight unless exceptional circumstances overcome the parties' chosen forum; language using “shall” made New York obligatory in the sampled maritime dispute.
“The word ‘shall’ gives this forum-selection clause mandatory effect and confers sole jurisdiction to New York”
For lost electronic evidence, proof of loss and a preservation duty may establish spoliation, but severe sanctions depend on intent and prejudice.
“Perhaps it acted negligently, but not necessarily with the intent to deprive Two Canoes of its claims.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“For the reasons set forth above, Plaintiff’s Motion is GRANTED with modification to the relief sought.”
“ORDERED that the Koppel Defendants’ motion to quash, or alternatively, for a protective order (ECF No. 134) is DENIED;”
“Plaintiffs’ Motion (ECF No. 19) is deemed WITHDRAWN.”
“I recommend that Judge Wigenton GRANT Plaintiff’s request in part and DENY it in part.”
“I respectfully recommend that Plaintiff’s motion to enforce the settlement agreement be GRANTED”
“GRANTED with respect to corporate Defendant MI PTS8 and DENIED with respect to individual Defendant Iyer.”
“Zydus’s Motion is GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART.”
“I hereby GRANT Defendants’ Motion (ECF No. 237) and strike Plaintiffs’ jury demand.”
“GRANT Plaintiff’s Motion (ECF No. 6) and remand the matter to State Court.”
“For the foregoing reasons, Able South Korea’s Motion (ECF No. 82) is GRANTED.”
After a court-initiated show-cause process, Almonte fined counsel $3,000, struck a reply containing fabricated authorities, required self-reporting, and ordered notice to the client. The order states: “ORDERED that Plaintiff’s counsel, Mr. Cho, is sanctioned with a fine of $3,000.00 under Rule 11(c).”
“For the reasons set forth above, ICSP’s motion to compel is DENIED.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
Five direct-assignment civil matters were identified in the 2022-2024 filing window. They included wage-and-hour, insurance, premises-liability, and product-liability disputes; all ultimately terminated, often after settlement or stipulated dismissal.
Put Judge Almonte's record to work
Ezel drafts and answers grounded in this exact profile: how Judge Almonte actually rules, not a generic AI guess.
Opens in Ezel Pro. Every answer is grounded in Judge Almonte's own signed orders and cites them.