Joseph Wilson Morris
Judge Morris no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Morris decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In removal disputes, he focused on the state-court plaintiff's initiating pleading rather than counterclaims or cross-claims created by defendants.
“In a removed case where the Court is called upon to determine the existence of a separate and independent controversy under 28 U.S.C. § 1441(c), the Court may look only to the allegations of the State Court plaintiff’s petition or complaint by which the action was initiated.”
Cautions
He denied leave to amend when the movants offered no valid explanation for neglect and delay.
“Since plaintiffs have not shown any valid reason for their neglect and undue delay, leave to amend will be denied.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“The Motion to Remand is accordingly granted and this case is remanded to the District Court of Muskogee County, Oklahoma, from which it was improvidently removed.”
“For the reasons set forth herein plaintiff’s complaint and cause of action should be dismissed.”
“The motion of the third party defendant Bond is accordingly granted and Aetna’s motion for summary judgment is denied.”
“The court concludes that it has discretionary authority to grant the extension defendant requests and, in the exercise of its discretion, grants defendant United States Asphalt Corporation ten days from the date of this order to file an answer containing any defenses and objections that it may wish to raise.”
“Accordingly, the court concludes that as plaintiff has failed to comply with the time limitations of § 2000e-5(f)(l), this action must be, and is, dismissed as to defendant Fansteel for lack of jurisdiction.”
“Defendant’s motion to dismiss the action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction is accordingly granted and the action is hereby dismissed.”
“This disposition renders moot plaintiff’s motion to remand.”
“Since the payments accrued at the time of removal did not exceed $10,000.00 the case was improvidently removed to this court and must therefore be remanded to the District Court of Wagoner County.”
“Summary judgment is accordingly entered in favor of the defendant Wilma N. Page and against the plaintiff, and the court hereby declares that defendant is entitled to the proceeds of the group insurance policies Nos. GL-101 and G-20135-F in the total amount of $25,000.00.”
“It follows that plaintiffs are entitled to summary judgment as against the defendant United States and the court hereby grants plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment.”
“As this order dismisses the action against all defendants for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, plaintiffs’ motion of July 27, 1977 styled ‘Order to Show Cause and Temporary Restraining Order’ is hereby rendered moot.”
“Plaintiff’s motion to have this case set for nonjury trial is granted.”
“The court concludes that the liability protection of the insurance policy in question does not cover the July 6,1976, accident and accordingly grants plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment.”
A historical record
Judge Morris 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.