Christine A. Nowak
How Judge Nowak rules, drawn from 8 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Nowak no longer sits on this court. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled here.
About Judge Nowak
Christine A. Nowak served as a United States Magistrate Judge in the Sherman Division of the Eastern District of Texas from 2015 until 2023. She then joined the 493rd Judicial District Court in Collin County, Texas.
How Judge Nowak decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In Newton v. State Farm Lloyds, Magistrate Judge Nowak recommended granting summary judgment on the Chapter 541 and certain prompt-payment claims while allowing the claims under sections 542.058 and 542.060 to proceed.
“Specifically, the Court recommends GRANTING summary judgment for State Farm on Plaintiff’s Chapter 541 claims under the Texas Insurance Code and any claims under §§ 542.055, 542.056, and 542.057 of the Texas Insurance Code. The Court further recommends DENYING summary judgment as to Plaintiff’s prompt payment claims under §§ 542.058 and 542.060 of the Texas Insurance Code and permitting such claims to proceed to trial.”
Procedural preferences
In Fitzsimmons v. Watts, Nowak recommended dismissal without prejudice after the self-represented plaintiff failed to prosecute the case or obey a court order; the district judge adopted the recommendation.
“ORDERED that the complaint is DISMISSED without prejudice for want of prosecution and failure to obey an order of the court.”
In Braden v. Collin County Detention Facility, Nowak recommended dismissal with prejudice of claims against the detention facility because it was not a suable entity. She also recommended against amendment because the plaintiff had shown no inclination to prosecute.
“Plaintiff’s claims against CCDF may also be dismissed with prejudice because CCDF is a nonjural entity with no capacity to be sued.”
Cautions
In Wallace v. Director, TDCJ-CID, Magistrate Judge Nowak recommended denying a time-barred habeas petition; the district judge adopted that recommendation over the petitioner’s objections and dismissed the case with prejudice.
“ORDERED that the petition for writ of habeas corpus is DENIED and Petitioner’s case is DISMISSED with prejudice. A certificate of appealability is DENIED.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“ORDERED that Movant’s motion for default judgment (Dkt. # 12) is DENIED.”
Prisoner suit recommended dismissed without prejudice for want of prosecution and failure to obey an Order; adopted in full. 'It is therefore ORDERED that Plaintiff’s complaint is DISMISSED without prejudice.'
Recommended dismissed without prejudice for want of prosecution (Rule 41(b)); adopted. 'ORDERED that the complaint is DISMISSED without prejudice for want of prosecution and failure to obey an order of the court.'
“ORDERED that the petition for writ of habeas corpus is DENIED and Petitioner’s case is DISMISSED with prejudice. A certificate of appealability is DENIED.”
“It is therefore ORDERED the motion to vacate, set aside, or correct sentence is DISMISSED without prejudice.”
“the Court recommends Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss [Dkt. 18] be GRANTED and Plaintiff’s claims against Defendants be DISMISSED.”
“The Court further recommends that Plaintiff Nelson R. Locke’s Corrected Motion for Leave to Amend [Dkt. 33] be DENIED.”
“the Court recommends the Motion to Dismiss be GRANTED, and Plaintiff’s claims against all Defendants be dismissed as set forth herein.”
“the Court recommends GRANTING summary judgment for State Farm on Plaintiff’s Chapter 541 claims under the Texas Insurance Code and any claims under §§ 542.055, 542.056, and 542.057 of the Texas Insurance Code. The Court further recommends DENYING summary judgment as to Plaintiff’s prompt payment claims under §§ 542.058 and 542.060 of the Texas Insurance Code and permitting such claims to proceed to trial.”
Pending matters in the official report
Judge Nowak was last listed in the Civil Justice Reform Act report as of March 31, 2024.
| Motions pending more than six months | 0 |
| Bench trials submitted more than six months | 0 |
| Bankruptcy appeals pending more than six months | 0 |
| Social Security appeals pending more than six months | 0 |
| Civil cases pending more than three years | 0 |
| Report | Motions over six months | Cases over three years |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2024 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 2023 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 2023 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 2022 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 2022 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 2020 | 0 | 0 |
A snapshot on that date: matters listed may since have been decided or reassigned. A motion referred to a magistrate judge is counted for both judges. Motions in multidistrict litigation, section 2255 cases and Social Security appeals are not counted, and a very large three-year count is generally a multidistrict docket. Source: Appendix A of the report (PDF); about the report.
A historical record
Judge Nowak 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.