Kevin Hunter Sharp
How Judge Sharp rules, drawn from 10 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Sharp no longer sits on this court. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled here.
About Judge Sharp
Kevin Hunter Sharp was a judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. Appointed by President Barack Obama, Judge Sharp received a commission on May 3, 2011. Judge Sharp resigned on April 15, 2017.
How Judge Sharp decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Sharp treated comparative-fault allocations as trial questions when the record permitted competing views of responsibility.
“comparative fault is a question of fact within the jury’s province, which should not lightly be invaded by the trial court.”
Procedural preferences
At the pleading stage, Sharp allowed fact-dependent claims to proceed while expressly leaving room to revisit them on a developed summary-judgment record.
“The foregoing rulings may be revisited in the context of a motion for summary judgment after the factual record has been developed.”
Cautions
Sharp distinguished lawful preparation to compete from allegations of taking company material and soliciting employees while still employed.
“ProductiveMD’s allegations go far beyond mere preparation to compete.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“The Court will grant in part, and deny in part, Defendants’ Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings.”
“With those ruling, Defendants’ Motion to Ascertain Status (Docket No. 62) is rendered moot.”
“the Court will DENY Defendant Katz, Sapper & Miller, LLP’s motion for summary judgment (Docket No. 69)”
“DENY Defendants’ motion for partial summary judgment (Docket No. 97)”
“DENY Plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment (Docket No. 71)”
“DENY Plaintiffs’ motion to strike (Docket No. 88).”
“denying the Gas Authority’s Motion to Dismiss as moot”
“denying its Motion for Summary Judgment on Smyrna’s TFCA, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract and damages claims.”
“the Court GRANTS IN PART and DENIES IN PART the parties’ cross-motions for summary judgment”
“Defendant’s Renewed Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff’s First Amended Complaint (Docket Entry No. 143) will be granted in part and denied in part.”
“an appropriate Order denying W&O’s Partial Motion to Dismiss will be entered.”
“Defendants are entitled to dismissal of (1) all claims against Crabtree, except for the intentional infliction of emotional distress claim; (2) a claim for malicious harassment; and (3) the common law claim for retaliation against the Hospital.”
“the Court will grant Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment”
“deny Plaintiffs Motion for Summary Judgment.”
“the Court will grant in part and deny in part Defendant Vanderbilt’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Docket Entry No. 35).”
“The Court will also deny Defendant Drake’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Docket Entry No. 39)”
“will deny Plaintiffs Motion for Partial Summary Judgment against Defendant Vanderbilt University (Docket Entry No. 42).”
“Metro’s motion to strike is DENIED.”
“Defendant Metro’s motion to dismiss the Second Amended Complaint is GRANTED with respect to all claims against Metro. They are dismissed without prejudice.”
“Metro’s motion to dismiss the First Amended Complaint is DENIED AS MOOT.”
“Defendant Gallagher’s motion to dismiss the Second Amended Complaint is GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART.”
“Gallagher’s motion to dismiss the First Amended Complaint is DENIED AS MOOT.”
“Gallagher’s motion to stay discovery is DENIED AS MOOT.”
“The joint motion for relief under Local Rule 83.03 is DENIED.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
Median case duration in the sampled dockets: 100 days (N = 13).
The thirteen sampled closed matters include civil-rights, labor, contract, consumer, bankruptcy, habeas, Social Security, and personal-injury disputes. The sample is too small to represent the full caseload.
A historical record
Judge Sharp no longer sits on this court. This profile stays available as a record of how they ruled here. If you're preparing for a matter, start from the court's current bench.