Tana Lin
How Judge Lin rules, drawn from 12 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
How Judge Lin decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
A forum-non-conveniens motion must identify an adequate alternative forum and address both private and public interests; an initial unsupported motion was denied, while a renewed motion succeeded after supplying that analysis.
“As both the private and public interest factors weigh in favor of dismissal, the Court concludes that this matter should be dismissed for forum non conveniens.”
Procedural preferences
Lin frequently REFERS dispositive motions (motions to dismiss) to a magistrate judge (Tsuchida, Christel) for a report and recommendation, then rules by adopting the R&R, so her early merits dispositions often arrive as short adoption orders rather than authored opinions.
“The Court also hereby refers to Magistrate Judge Tsuchida for preparation of a report and recommendation the pending motion to dismiss (Dkt No. 18). Signed by Judge Tana Lin.”
Watches subject-matter jurisdiction sua sponte: when the federal-claim defendants dropped out, Lin issued an order to show cause and then remanded the remaining state-law claims rather than reaching a pending summary-judgment motion.
“ORDER OF REMAND. The matter is REMANDED to Lewis County Superior Court ... All pending motions and deadlines in this matter are VACATED.”
She gave a pro se contract plaintiff one opportunity to identify the allegedly breached terms and correct service, then dismissed with prejudice when the amended pleading still identified no enforceable obligation.
“It may be misleading for Defendant to state in a policy that fake engagement will be removed while admitting in its briefing that its policies are merely aspirational. But that does not make Defendant’s actions here a breach of contract.”
Cautions
Default judgment is premature before completed service and proof of service; issuance of a summons by the clerk does not itself serve the defendant.
“As Defendant has not yet been properly served, the Court DENIES Plaintiff’s motion without prejudice.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“ORDER ADOPTING 29 REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION. McPeak's Motion to Dismiss (Dkt. 19) is GRANTED-IN-PART and DENIED-IN-PART. Butcher's counterclaims are dismissed without prejudice for failure to state a claim, but the Court declines to issue Rule 11 sanctions.”
“ORDER ADOPTING 40 REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION. Docklight Brands Inc.'s Motion to Dismiss Counterclaims, Affirmative Defenses, and to Strike Portions of the Answer of Defendants and Counterclaimants Tilray, Inc. and High Park Holdings Ltd. (Dkt. No. 18) is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part.”
“Defendant’s motion (Dkt. No. 18) is GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART.”
“Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim and Insufficient Service of Process (Dkt. No. 10) is GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART with leave to amend and serve process.”
“Accordingly, Defendant's motion to dismiss (Dkt. No. 25) is GRANTED, and Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint (Dkt. No. 23) is DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE.”
“As Defendant has not yet been properly served, the Court DENIES Plaintiff’s motion without prejudice.”
“For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiff’s Motion for Appointment of Counsel is DENIED.”
“Defendant Valve Corporation’s motion to dismiss (Dkt. No. 47) is GRANTED”
“Defendant Zhao’s motion to dismiss (Dkt. No. 30) is DENIED AS MOOT.”
“Defendant Valve Corporation’s Motion to Dismiss Second Amended Complaint Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6) (Dkt. No. 54) is GRANTED. Defendant Valve is DISMISSED from this action.”
“Defendant Zhao’s Motion to Dismiss (Dkt. No. 53) and Additional Motion to Dismiss (Dkt. No. 55) are DENIED.”
“Accordingly, Defendant Xue Zhao’s Motion to Dismiss Under the Doctrine of Forum Non Conveniens (Dkt. No. 65) is GRANTED.”
“Accordingly, Plaintiffs’ Motion for Reconsideration (Dkt. No. 70) is DENIED.”
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