Brooke Cotter Wells
Judge Wells no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Wells decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Procedural preferences
On referred dispositive motions she writes complete R&Rs that the district judges consistently adopt: she resolves multiple defendants' motions to dismiss in a single recommendation, reaches summary judgment with a computed money judgment, and recommends dismissal for failure to state a claim where the pleadings are deficient.
“recommending that this Court: (1) grant the motion to dismiss filed by Defendant Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and (2) grant the motion to dismiss filed by Defendant Security National Mortgage.”
With pro se plaintiffs she pairs dismissal with an explicit futility analysis, recommending that leave to amend be denied where further amendment could not cure the defect -- so a Wells dismissal of a pro se claim often forecloses repleading rather than inviting it.
“Plaintiff's motion to Amend/Correct the complaint (#18) and Supplemental motion to Amend/Correct the complaint (#19) are also DENIED as the R&R has determined that further amendment would be futile.”
Cautions
On the one Social Security appeal in this sample her R&R recommended affirming the Commissioner (claimant loses) and was adopted de novo. Illustrative only (N=1), not a base rate.
“recommending that the Commissioner's decision in this case be affirmed”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“On February 4, 2010, Judge Wells issued a Report and Recommendation, recommending that this case be dismissed for failure to state a claim. ... the court hereby APPROVES AND ADOPTS Judge Wells' Report and Recommendation, and DISMISSES this case for failure to state a claim.”
“the motion to dismiss filed by Defendant Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (docket no. 12) is GRANTED.”
“the motion to dismiss filed by Defendant Security National Mortgage (docket no. 13) is GRANTED.”
“AIG's Motion for Summary Judgment is GRANTED. ... judgment is entered against Robert James Mixdorf in the amount of $51,735.01, plus post-judgment interest and taxable costs of court.”
“Plaintiff's objections are without merit and are OVERRULED. The well reasoned R&R is ADOPTED. ... All Plaintiff's claims are DISMISSED.”
“Plaintiff's motion to Amend/Correct the complaint (#18) and Supplemental motion to Amend/Correct the complaint (#19) are also DENIED as the R&R has determined that further amendment would be futile.”
“Judge Wells filed a Report and Recommendation (Dkt. 21) recommending that the Commissioner's decision in this case be affirmed. ... The Report and Recommendation (Dkt. 21) is ADOPTED IN FULL. The Commissioner's decision in this case is AFFIRMED.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
Sitting by the parties' consent under 28 U.S.C. Section 636(c), Wells served as the final judge of record on a modest civil docket alongside a larger volume of referral work and criminal duty. The sampled consent cases skew toward short-lived ADA Title III access suits, product-liability removals, trademark, and Social Security appeals. Composition and durations only; not a grant rate.
A historical record
Judge Wells 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.