Mary Geiger Lewis
How Judge Lewis decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
A recusal request must identify a disqualifying basis beyond adverse judicial rulings; unsupported allegations of unfairness did not warrant removing the magistrate judge.
“that the Magistrate Judge’s rulings have disfavored him are insufficient to remove her from this case.”
Procedural preferences
Requires objections to identify a specific error in a magistrate judge's recommendation; general or conclusory objections do not trigger de novo review.
“This Court, however, need not conduct a de novo review of the record ‘when a party makes general and conclusory objections that do not direct the court to a specific error in the [Magistrate Judge’s] proposed findings and recommendations.’”
Where defendants had actual notice, Lewis declined to rest dismissal on technical service defects and instead addressed the alternative immunity, state-action, and pleading grounds.
“It is undisputed the Defendants had actual notice of Guess’s claims, as evidenced by the motions to dismiss filed by Judge Coble, Stout, and Travelers and by a settlement offer Bayne emailed Guess. Therefore, the Court turns to the alternative grounds for dismissal noted in the Report.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“it is the judgment of the Court that Defendant's motion for summary judgment will be granted.”
“it is the judgment of this Court that it will grant Defendants' motions to transfer, which effectively transfers the motions to dismiss.”
“the Court will grant Defendant's motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(1) to the extent it will abstain from exercising jurisdiction under the Younger abstention doctrine.”
“it is the judgment of the Court Defendants' motion for summary judgment will be granted in part and dismissed without prejudice in part.”
“Wherefore, based on the foregoing discussion and analysis, it is the judgment of this Court Plaintiff's motion for partial summary judgment is DENIED, whereas McCallum's and Budget's motions for partial summary judgment are GRANTED.”
“Wherefore, based on the foregoing discussion and analysis, it is the judgment of this Court that Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment is GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART. The Court issues a DECLARATORY JUDGMENT that the provision in Plaintiffs' Policy authorizing Defendant to offset UIM benefits payable to Plaintiffs by the amount of MedPay benefits issued is enforceable, but the offset shall be applied only after Plaintiffs are fully compensated for their damages as determined by the underlying litigation.”
“Wherefore, based on the foregoing discussion and analysis, it is the judgment of this Court that Plaintiff's Rule 59(e) motion to alter or amend the Court's Order granting Defendant Bayview's motion for summary judgment is DENIED.”
“Consequently, based on the foregoing discussion and analysis, Defendants' Motion for Partial Summary Judgment and Plaintiff's Motion for Partial Summary Judgment are GRANTED.”
“It is the judgment of the Court Respondent's motion to dismiss is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE and the motion to transfer is GRANTED. Therefore, this case shall be transferred to District Court of the Virgin Islands for further proceedings.”
“Wherefore, based on the foregoing discussion and analysis, it is the judgment of the Court Plaintiff's Motion to Disqualify is DENIED. Each party will bear his/her own attorneys' fees and costs.”
“Wherefore, based on the foregoing discussion and analysis, it is the judgment of this Court American's motion to transfer venue is GRANTED. As a result, both American's motion to dismiss and Plaintiffs' contingent motion to dismiss are RENDERED MOOT. This case is TRANSFERRED to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division.”
“As a result, both American's motion to dismiss and Plaintiffs' contingent motion to dismiss are RENDERED MOOT.”
“Wherefore, based on the forgoing discussion and analysis, it is the judgment of this Court Defendants' motion to quash is DENIED. Counsel for BHOTS shall produce the relevant documents, consistent with the narrowed scope of the subpoena and with the terms of the Confidentiality Order, not later than thirty (30) days from the date of entry of this Order.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
Median case duration in the sampled dockets: 154 days (N = 8).
Lewis's sampled caseload includes ERISA benefit disputes, insurance and diversity actions, Social Security appeals, prisoner civil-rights and habeas matters, consumer-protection suits, and federal criminal cases. Many of the civil matters ended through settlement-dismissal orders or reassignment before a merits ruling.
Put Judge Lewis's record to work
Ezel drafts and answers grounded in this exact profile: how Judge Lewis actually rules, not a generic AI guess.
Opens in Ezel Pro. Every answer is grounded in Judge Lewis's own signed orders and cites them.