Salvador E. Casellas
Judge Casellas no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Casellas decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
He held that a Rule 12 motion to dismiss is not a responsive pleading and therefore does not defeat a plaintiff's right to voluntarily dismiss without a court order.
“Congress has not expressly included motions to dismiss within the category of motions that defeat plaintiffs right to voluntary dismissal without a court order.”
He retained factually intertwined state-law claims under supplemental jurisdiction where they arose from a common nucleus of operative fact with the federal claims.
“this Court finds that supplemental, or party, federal jurisdiction exists over Plaintiffs’ pre-2004 claims against GCHC and Miranda.”
Procedural preferences
He strictly enforced the local summary-judgment rule, deeming a movant's supported facts admitted when the opponent failed to properly controvert them.
“all of Defendants’ well pleaded facts are deemed uncontested.”
He required strict compliance with Rule 11's safe-harbor provision, holding that formal service of the sanctions motion, not a warning letter, starts the safe-harbor period.
“the safe harbor period begins to run only upon service of the proposed Rule 11 motion upon the party against whom sanctions are sought.”
He declined to consider Spanish-language exhibits offered on summary judgment without a certified English translation or proper authentication.
“Plaintiff did not request leave to file said document in the Spanish language, nor filed a Certified English translation of the same in compliance with Local Rule 10(b).”
Cautions
He sharply criticized re-removing a case already remanded for lack of jurisdiction, warning that it invited forum- or judge-shopping.
“we strongly censure defendants’ action of filing for removal subsequent to our remand of the case to the local court.”
He warned against joining unrelated defendants in a single suit, a practice he found both misjoined parties and avoided filing fees.
“Plaintiff is advised that all future claims of this nature must be instituted separately against individual defendants.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Upon review of the parties arguments’ and the record before us, we deny plaintiffs’ request for attorneys’ fees.”
“Accordingly, Defendant’s motion of intent to introduce the necessity defense at trial is DENIED.”
“Defendant’s motion to dismiss is GRANTED, and Plaintiffs claim against the Police Department of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE for a lack of jurisdiction.”
“For all the reasons discussed above, Defendants’ motion for reconsideration is DENIED.”
“Hence, Defendants’ motion for certification and stay is also DENIED.”
“Therefore, Defendant’s petition for removal is DENIED and this case is hereby REMANDED to the Superior Court since it was improperly removed.”
“After reviewing the filings and the applicable law, Defendants’ motion will be GRANTED.”
“For the reasons stated above, the USWA’s motion for summary judgment is GRANTED and Longo’s cross motion is DENIED.”
“For the reasons set herein, Plaintiffs’ Motion for Reconsideration is DENIED.”
“Based on the foregoing, Defendants’ motion for summary judgment is GRANTED. The minors’ claims for emotional distress and mental anguish are DISMISSED with prejudice.”
“For the reasons set forth above, Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment is hereby GRANTED. Judgment shall be entered accordingly.”
“For the reasons stated above, Defendant’s motion to dismiss is hereby GRANTED. Plaintiffs claims under Title VII are hereby DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE, whilst Plaintiffs state-law claims are hereby DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.”
“Based on the foregoing, Defendants’ motion to dismiss is GRANTED, and Plaintiffs claims are DISMISSED without prejudice.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
The available record does not enumerate Judge Casellas's assigned cases, so it supports no claim about caseload mix or case duration.
A historical record
Judge Casellas 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.