David R. Strawbridge
How Judge Strawbridge decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
On a Social Security appeal raising an Appointments Clause (Lucia) challenge to the ALJ, Strawbridge (sitting by consent) applies the Third Circuit's Cirko decision to hold the challenge is not forfeited by failing to raise it administratively, and vacates and remands for a new hearing before a properly appointed ALJ.
“For the reasons set out below, we grant Plaintiff's request for review, vacate the administrative decision, and remand the matter to the Commissioner for further proceedings. ... The precedential opinion in Cirko v. Commissioner of Social Security requires that the ALJ's opinion be vacated, and that J.D.K.'s case be remanded for a new hearing before a different, constitutionally appointed ALJ.”
Cautions
On referred 28 U.S.C. 2254 habeas petitions Strawbridge recommends denial or dismissal, including summary dismissal as untimely under AEDPA after computing PCRA statutory tolling, and treats procedurally defaulted ineffective-assistance claims as barred under Strickland/Martinez.
“Magistrate Judge David R. Strawbridge issued a Report and Recommendation ('R&R') recommending that the habeas corpus claims be denied and dismissed. ... the R&R is adopted, and the objections are overruled. ... the habeas claims are denied and dismissed.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Magistrate Judge David R. Strawbridge issued a Report and Recommendation ('R&R') recommending that the habeas corpus claims be denied and dismissed. ... the R&R is adopted, and the objections are overruled. ... the habeas claims are denied and dismissed.”
“after review of the Report and Recommendation of United States Magistrate Judge David R. Strawbridge, and the Objections filed by the Petitioner ... 1. Petitioner's Objections ... are OVERRULED; 2. The Report and Recommendation is APPROVED and ADOPTED; 3. The petition for writ of habeas corpus is DENIED;”
“Judge Strawbridge recommended summary dismissal of Petitioner's 2254 Petition ... as untimely ... The Court strikes Section II(C) of Judge Strawbridge's Report and Recommendation and approves and adopts all sections that remain thereof. ... Petitioner's 28 U.S.C. 2254 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus is denied.”
“For the reasons set out below, we grant Plaintiff's request for review, vacate the administrative decision, and remand the matter to the Commissioner for further proceedings. ... The precedential opinion in Cirko v. Commissioner of Social Security requires that the ALJ's opinion be vacated, and that J.D.K.'s case be remanded for a new hearing before a different, constitutionally appointed ALJ.”
“we deny the request for review and affirm the ALJ's decision”
“Plaintiff's request for review is DENIED and the final decision of the Commissioner denying disability benefits is AFFIRMED”
“Plaintiff's motion for fees (Doc. 30) is DENIED”
“‘Motion in Limine To Preclude Reference to Plaintiff, Franklin B. Hester's 2014 Guilty Plea to Driving Under the Influence’ (Doc. 48) is GRANTED; ‘Motion in Limine To Preclude Reference to Plaintiff, Franklin B. Hester's 2021 Guilty Plea of Retail Theft-Taking Merchandise’ (Doc. 49) is DENIED; and ‘Motion in Limine To Preclude Reference to Plaintiff, Franklin B. Hester's 2012 Guilty Plea of Retail Theft-Taking Merchandise’ (Doc. 50) is DENIED”
“the parties' expert witnesses are largely ‘qualified’ and that their opinions are ‘reliable’ and ‘fit’ the facts of this case”
“it is respectfully RECOMMENDED that the withdrawal of lien dispute be REJECTED and the matter be REMANDED to the Claims Administrator for further proceedings consistent with the Rules Governing Attorney Lien Disputes”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
Judge Strawbridge's consent docket includes Social Security disability appeals, insurance and personal-injury cases, and an Equal Credit Opportunity Act claim. He also handles referred habeas matters for district judges. Among the reviewed 2018–2022 Social Security cases, about a quarter ended in an agreed remand; among the contested decisions, roughly six in ten resulted in remand and the remainder affirmed the Commissioner. The reviewed diversity cases generally settled.
Put Judge Strawbridge's record to work
Ezel drafts and answers grounded in this exact profile: how Judge Strawbridge actually rules, not a generic AI guess.
Opens in Ezel Pro. Every answer is grounded in Judge Strawbridge's own signed orders and cites them.