Peter G. Sheridan
How Judge Sheridan rules, drawn from 10 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Sheridan no longer sits on this court. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled here.
About Judge Sheridan
Peter G. Sheridan served on the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey after receiving his commission on June 12, 2006. He assumed senior status on June 14, 2018, and is now a retired senior judge.
How Judge Sheridan decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In Van Deventer v. Johnson & Johnson Pension Committee, Sheridan upheld an ERISA benefits denial under deferential review. He found the committee’s decision supported by several medical and vocational opinions that the claimant could perform sedentary work, despite contrary evidence from a treating physician and a disability award.
“the Pension Committee gave more weight to the opinions of the medical witnesses supporting Van Deventer's ability to perform a sedentary job. The Court found no evidence of any breach of any fiduciary duty owed to Van Deventer.”
In TelQuest v. Dedicated Business Systems, Sheridan dismissed a CFAA claim because lost customers and investigative costs did not establish computer damage or a service interruption. He retained the state claims after weighing judicial economy and fairness.
“TelQuest does not allege that it suffered a loss of revenue because their computer functions were inoperative, but because they lost customers as a result of defendants’ business activities. This does not constitute loss under the CFAA.”
Procedural preferences
In Waiters v. Hudson County Correctional Center, Sheridan allowed the Title VII retaliation count to proceed on allegations of temporal proximity but dismissed the race and ancestry claims as speculative. He also found claims tied to the earlier right-to-sue letter untimely and rejected a continuing-violation theory for discrete acts in that case.
“Plaintiff bases her race and ancestry allegations on mere speculation about the motives behind her discipline and discharge. ... 'Speculation is simply not evidence of discrimination.' ... therefore, counts two and three are dismissed.”
Cautions
In Flowers v. Wheeler, Sheridan denied a prisoner's preliminary-injunction request because the complaint failed to state a claim, leaving him unable to show likely success on the merits. He dismissed the complaint without prejudice and allowed amendment.
“Here, Plaintiff's motion fails on the first factor. Plaintiff has not demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits because his complaint has failed to state a claim upon which relief may be granted.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Plaintiff's motion for partial summary judgment and a preliminary injunction are denied.”
“Defendants' motion is granted with respect to dismissing the CFAA claim and denied with respect to dismissing the state law claims.”
“ORDERED that Plaintiff's second motion for summary judgment (ECF No. 31) is denied; and it is further”
“ORDERED Defendant's cross-motion for summary judgment (ECF No. 35) is granted.”
“the defendants' motion to dismiss is granted and the complaint is dismissed without prejudice. ... Plaintiff may move to amend his complaint within 45 days of this Opinion and Order.”
“Plaintiff's motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction is denied.”
“Defendant's motion to dismiss is granted in part and denied in part. Defendant's motion is denied as to the first count, and the remaining counts (2-5) are hereby dismissed.”
“ORDERED that defendant's Motion to Dismiss (ECF No 12) is hereby DENIED for the reasons stated on the record”
“ORDERED that defendant's Motion to Dismiss (ECF No 31) is hereby DENIED for the reasons stated on the record”
“ORDERED that defendant's Motion to Modify Conditions of Release (ECF No 37) is hereby DENIED for the reasons stated on the record”
“ORDERED that defendant's Motion to Compel Discovery (ECF No 40) is hereby DENIED as moot for the reasons stated on the record.”
“For these reasons and those below, the AR-15 Provision of Assault Firearms Law is unconstitutional. The LCM Amendment is constitutional. Both Daubert motions are also denied.”
“The AR-15 Provision of Assault Fireanns Law is unconstitutional. The LCM Amendment is constitutional. Both Daubert motions are also denied.”
“ORDERED that Heligren and Cox’s Motion for Remand (ECF No. 1129) is hereby DENIED.”
“ORDERED that Defendant’s motion to overturn the Order revoking bail in the EDPA Criminal Action is DENIED”
“ORDERED that the United States of America’s motion to strike Defendant’s pro se pleading (ECF No. 55) is GRANTED”
“ORDERED that, for the reasons stated in the May 16, 2024 Memorandum and on the record on May 13, 2024, Defendant Joseph Cammarata’s motions (ECF No. 134, 137) are DENIED”
“ORDERED that, for the reasons stated in the May 16, 2024 Memorandum and on the record on May 13, 2024, the Government’s Motion to Strike (ECF No. 138) is DENIED as MOOT.”
Pending matters in the official report
Judge Sheridan was last listed in the Civil Justice Reform Act report as of September 30, 2024.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2024 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 2024 | 5 | 33 |
| Sep 2023 | 0 | 28 |
| Mar 2023 | 0 | 30 |
| Sep 2022 | 1 | 39 |
| Mar 2022 | 1 | 41 |
| Sep 2021 | 0 | 42 |
| Mar 2021 | 1 | 43 |
| Sep 2020 | 1 | 31 |
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.
A historical record
Judge Sheridan no longer sits on this court. This profile stays available as a record of how they ruled here. If you're preparing for a matter, start from the court's current bench.