Matthew W. Brann
How Judge Brann rules, drawn from 28 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
How Judge Brann decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In a supervisory-liability civil-rights claim, the judge looked specifically for a pleaded factual link between the individual defendant and the alleged conduct, not just that defendant's formal supervisory title.
“The complaint thus lacks any nexus between the facts alleged by Plaintiff and the conclusory allegation that Defendant Wetzel was 'deliberately indifferent' for not enforcing a no smoking policy.”
In a university disciplinary due-process claim, the judge treated the case as turning on a single dispositive question, whether the outcome hinged on witness credibility, and found cross-examination constitutionally required only because the panel's decision rested on credibility findings about absent witnesses.
“A case that resolves itself into a problem of credibility cannot itself be resolved without a mutual test of credibility, at least not where the stakes are this high.”
Procedural preferences
On a trade-secret misappropriation claim, the judge required specific, non-conclusory identification of the confidential information at issue rather than accepting broad categorical descriptions.
“TTS must do more than include vague, general descriptions of tools and processes.”
Where a magistrate judge's report and recommendation drew no timely objection, the judge reviewed it only for clear error rather than de novo, and adopted it on that limited standard.
“Where no objection is made to a report and recommendation, this Court will review the recommendation only for clear error.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Based on the foregoing, the Motion to Dismiss will be granted and Defendant Wetzel will be dismissed without prejudice as a party.”
“Defendants' Rule 12(b)(1) motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction is denied and the motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6) is granted in part and denied in part.”
“Defendants' Partial Motion to Dismiss pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6) is granted in part and denied in part. Plaintiffs' Counts II and III may proceed to discovery. Plaintiffs' Counts V and VI are dismissed with prejudice.”
“Aulisio's motion (Doc. 28) for default judgment is DENIED.”
“Petitioner Joseph G. Aulisio's amended petition for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Section 2254 is DISMISSED. A certificate of appealability shall not issue, as Aulisio has not made a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right.”
“Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss, Doc. 27, is DENIED AS MOOT.”
“Defendants’ motion for summary judgment (Doc. 103) is GRANTED.”
“Defendant Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 19) is DENIED IN PART AND GRANTED IN PART, as follows: a. DENIED as to Plaintiff Jane Doe’s claim of quid pro quo sexual harassment under Title IX. b. GRANTED as to Jane Doe’s state-law claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent supervision.”
“Plaintiffs’ Motion for Preliminary Injunction (Doc. 3) is DENIED.”
“Her motion for remand will therefore be denied.”
“Defendant State National Insurance Co.’s Cross-Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings (Doc. 23) is GRANTED; Defendant The Charter Oak Fire Insurance Co.’s Cross-Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings (Doc. 25) is GRANTED; The Plaintiff’s Complaint (Doc. 1-1) is DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE.”
“Accordingly, Stanko’s motion to suppress is granted.”
“For the foregoing reasons, Dewald’s Motion to Suppress Evidence will be denied.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
- The sampled window spans an employment/FMLA discrimination suit, an insurance-subrogation diversity action, a Social Security appeal, and a prisoner civil-rights/habeas matter: consistent with the district's mixed civil docket.
- Most sampled cases in this narrow window resolved by settlement, voluntary dismissal, or a motion mooted by an amended pleading before any dispositive ruling issued, which is typical for a small early-filing-year sample rather than a sign of missing coverage.
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