Lois H. Goodman
Judge Goodman no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Goodman decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
On a claim of deliberative-process or attorney-client privilege over agency or municipal records, she applies the three-part procedural test strictly and will deny the privilege claim where the supporting affidavit gives only a conclusory reason (e.g., 'discussed with counsel') rather than precise, non-conclusory grounds -- an assertion of attorney-client privilege by itself does not satisfy the deliberative-process test's second prong.
“The responsible agency official needs to provide 'precise and certain reasons for asserting the privilege over the government information or documents at issue.' The Bianchi and Piedici Affidavits are fatally deficient in this regard. ... In essence, the only 'precise and certain reason' provided in the affidavits for asserting the deliberative process privilege is that the Township is entitled to the protection of the attorney-client privilege. This cannot suffice”
On a late motion to amend, she requires the movant to affirmatively show diligence (good cause) under Rule 16(b)(4) before reaching the more permissive Rule 15(a)(2) standard, and an opposing party's silence in earlier informal pre-motion correspondence does not waive its right to object once full briefing is filed.
“Atain does not argue that good cause exists because newly-discovered evidence came to light, nor does it argue good cause exists because of mistake or excusable neglect. ... this would not relieve Plaintiff of its independent obligation to show that it exercised diligence in seeking to make the late amendment.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“ORDERED that Insignia's Petition to compel compliance with the subpoenas duces tecum served upon Respondents Goodell and Edelstein [Docket Entry No. 1] be and it hereby is DENIED”
“ORDERED that the request for sanctions and fees against Respondents is DENIED”
“ORDERED that Plaintiffs' Second Motion to Compel [Docket Entry No. 56] is DENIED”
“Accordingly, the Court affirms the January 6, 2014 Order granting Plaintiff's Motion to Strike Certain Portions of Defendant's Expert Report.”
“Magistrate Judge Goodman's decision on Plaintiff's Motion to Strike was neither clearly erroneous nor contrary to law ... Having denied Defendant's Motion to Amend its Invalidity Contentions, Magistrate Judge Goodman reasoned that permitting Defendant to include the fifteen additional prior art references in its expert report would essentially negate the effect of her prior decision”
“ORDERED that the Report and Recommendation of Magistrate Judge Lois H. Goodman at docket entry 14 is hereby adopted as the opinion of the Court; and it is further ORDERED that Plaintiff's Complaint is dismissed with prejudice.”
“ORDERED that Plaintiff's Motion to Appoint Pro Bono Counsel [Docket Entry No. 23] is DENIED.”
“ORDERED that the Motion for a Protective Order [Docket Entry No. 52] is hereby DENIED; and it is further ORDERED that the parties shall schedule the depositions in question and shall notify the Court as to when they are to take place.”
“ORDERED that the Motion for Leave to Amend [Docket Entry No. 107] is DENIED”
“ORDERED that the Cross-Motion for Leave to Amend [Docket Entry No. 116] is also DENIED. ... Because the Court is denying Atain's Motion to Amend, the Court also denies the NMG Cross-Motion as moot.”
“ORDERED that Plaintiff's Motion to Compel [Docket Entry No. 53] is DENIED”
“ORDERED that BSHF's motion to quash the Subpoena and for a protective order [Docket Entry No. 6] is GRANTED”
“ORDERED that BSHF's motion for sanctions is DENIED.”
“ORDERED that Plaintiff's requests for pro bono counsel [Docket Entry Nos. 33 and 46] are DENIED”
“ORDERED that Plaintiff's Motion to Request Permission to Retain a Psychiatrist [Docket Entry No. 49] is DENIED”
“ORDERED that Plaintiff's Motion for a Stay [Docket Entry No. 51] is DENIED as moot”
“For the foregoing reasons, and for good cause shown, the Motion for a Protective Order [Docket Entry No. 48] is hereby DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.”
“Because Judge Wolfson already granted Plaintiff leave to file an amended complaint, Plaintiff's Motion for Leave to File a First Amended Complaint is moot.”
A historical record
Judge Goodman 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.