Joseph F. Leeson, Jr.

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania district Appointed by Barack Obama (Democratic) 17 signed orders read

Motion outcomes

Counted from classified signed orders only. Percentages are shown only where the sample is large enough to be meaningful; smaller samples are reported as raw counts.

Summary judgment
N = 12
Granted: 5Granted in part: 4Denied: 3 75% granted
Motions to dismiss
N = 10
Granted: 1Granted in part: 6Denied: 3 70% granted
Motion to dismiss failure to prosecute
N = 1
Granted: 1 counts only
Motion to enforce
N = 1
Moot / procedural: 1 counts only
Motion to consolidate
N = 1
Moot / procedural: 1 counts only

A "1 of 1" is one ruling, not a tendency. Treat small samples as illustrative, not predictive.

Signed rulings

A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.

House v. Smith
2:18-cv-04283 · 2022-11-28
Motion to dismiss failure to prosecute (defendant) Granted

“Motion to Dismiss, ECF No. 74 - Granted ... After weighing all the Poulis factors, the Court dismisses the above-captioned action for House's failure to prosecute.”

Motion to enforce (defendant) Moot / procedural

“Motion to Enforce, ECF No. 76 - Dismissed ... Smith unnecessarily filed a motion to enforce the October 18, 2022 Order. ... This motion did not restart the clock for House to respond to the motion to dismiss.”

Tohidi v. City of Reading Police Department
5:24-cv-00591 · 2024-06-13
Motions to dismiss (defendant) Granted in part

“The Motion to Dismiss, ECF No. 11, is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part as follows: A. Counts II and VII are dismissed with prejudice. B. The Motion to Dismiss is denied in all other respects.”

RLI Insurance Company v. Slaski
5:25-cv-02170 · 2026-03-04
Motions to dismiss (defendant) Granted in part

“The Motion to Dismiss the Amended Complaint, ECF No. 12, is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part ... DENIED with respect to Counts I, II, III, and VI. ... GRANTED with respect to Counts IV and V. ... Count IV (Declaratory Relief - Reimbursement) and Count V (Reimbursement) are DISMISSED with prejudice. Leave to amend is not warranted.”

Burgess v. Reading Parking Authority
5:23-cv-03390 · 2024-08-06
Motions to dismiss (defendant) Granted in part

“The motion to dismiss, ECF No. 12, is DENIED in part and GRANTED in part, without prejudice ... The motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction is DENIED. The motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim is GRANTED. Burgess's claims are DISMISSED without prejudice. ... Burgess shall file an amended complaint on or before August 26, 2024.”

Motion to consolidate (plaintiff) Moot / procedural

“The motion to consolidate is DENIED without prejudice. ... The motion may be submitted again for consideration should any of Burgess's claims proceed as amended.”

Cherkasky v. Boyertown Area School District
5:21-cv-05204 · 2022-06-06
Motions to dismiss (defendant) Granted in part

“Defendant's Motion to dismiss Cherkasky's claims of discrimination is GRANTED; Cherkasky's claims of discrimination, sexual harassment, hostile work environment, and constructive termination are DISMISSED with prejudice. ... Defendant's Motion to dismiss Cherkasky's claims of retaliation is DENIED.”

Ghafoor-Davis v. Community Action Lehigh Valley
5:24-cv-02640 · 2025-02-04
Summary judgment (defendant) Granted in part

“Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment is GRANTED with respect to Counts II and III; ... GRANTED with respect to Count IV insofar as it brings claims for harassment and retaliation; ... DENIED with respect to Count I; ... DENIED with respect to Count IV insofar as it brings a claim for discrimination.”

Brown v. Tower Behavioral Health
5:25-cv-05008 · 2026-06-02
Summary judgment (defendant) Granted

“Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment, ECF No. 18, is GRANTED. JUDGMENT IS ENTERED in favor of Defendant and against Plaintiff on all counts. The Clerk of Court is directed to CLOSE this case.”

Doe v. Franklin and Marshall College
5:23-cv-00943 · 2023-09-06
Motions to dismiss (defendant) Granted in part

“1. The Motion to Dismiss, ECF No. 20, is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part as follows: A. The request to dismiss Counts I, II, and III is GRANTED. Counts I, II, and III, only, are DISMISSED with prejudice. B. The request to dismiss Count IV is DENIED.”

Tawam v. APCI Federal Credit Union
5:18-cv-00122 · 2018-08-03
Motions to dismiss (defendant) Denied

“Defendant's Motion to Dismiss, ECF No. 11, is DENIED.”

Anthony v. Seltzer
5:14-cv-05554 · 2016-09-30
Motions to dismiss (defendant) Denied

“1. Defendant Alles's Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff's Amended Complaint, ECF No. 40, is DENIED.”

Motions to dismiss (defendant) Denied

“2. Defendants Seltzer and the City of Allentown's Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff's Amended Complaint, ECF No. 41, is DENIED.”

Motions to dismiss (defendant) Granted in part

“3. Defendants Barzev, Brett, and City of Allentown's Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff's Amended Complaint, ECF No. 45, is DENIED in part and GRANTED in part ... D. Defendants' motion to dismiss Count Four is GRANTED, and Count Four is DISMISSED with prejudice.”

Lloyd v. Pennsylvania State Board of Veterinary Medicine
5:25-cv-05171 · 2026-03-27
Motions to dismiss (defendant) Granted

“1. The Motion to Dismiss, ECF No. 16, is GRANTED. All claims against the individual defendants Roberts, Keefer, and Jarabeck are dismissed with prejudice. ... Count I (Sunshine Act) is dismissed without prejudice to be refiled in the appropriate state court. ... 2. The Amended Complaint, ECF No. 13, is DISMISSED with prejudice. 3. This case is CLOSED.”

Migliori v. Lehigh County Board of Elections
5:22-cv-00397 · 2022-03-16
Summary judgment (plaintiff) Denied

“Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment, ECF No. 33, is DENIED.”

Summary judgment (defendant) Granted

“Defendants' Motions for Summary Judgment, ECF Nos. 32 and 34, are GRANTED. JUDGMENT IS ENTERED in Defendants' favor and against Plaintiffs on all remaining Counts.”

Summary judgment (defendant) Granted

“Defendants' Motions for Summary Judgment, ECF Nos. 32 and 34, are GRANTED.”