Bernath v. Seavey

Filing 276

ORDER denying 274 Plaintiff Daniel A. Bernath's Motion Recuse Article III Judge Chappell for Bias. Signed by Judge Sheri Polster Chappell on 11/14/2017. (LMF)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA FORT MYERS DIVISION DANIEL A. BERNATH, Plaintiff, v. Case No: 2:15-cv-358-FtM-38CM MARK CAMERON SEAVEY, Defendant. / OPINION AND ORDER1 This matter comes before the Court on Plaintiff Daniel Bernath’s Motion to Recuse Article III Judge Chappell for Bias. (Doc. 274). Bernath, appearing pro se, filed a complaint against Defendants alleging various trademark infringement and fraud claims. He now moves, once again, to disqualify the undersigned for striking some of his filings and for ruling against him. (Doc. 274). Under 28 U.S.C. § 455(a), a federal judge “shall disqualify h[er]self in any proceeding in which h[er] impartiality might reasonably be questioned.” Any doubt “must be resolved in favor of recusal.” Murray v. Scott, 253 F.3d 1308, 1310 (11th Cir. 2001). When considering recusal, the potential conflict must be considered as it applies to the entire case. See id. at 1310-11. A judge contemplating recusal should not ask whether she believes she is capable of impartially presiding over the case but whether “[the 1 Disclaimer: Documents filed in CM/ECF may contain hyperlinks to other documents or websites. These hyperlinks are provided only for users’ convenience. Users are cautioned that hyperlinked documents in CM/ECF are subject to PACER fees. By allowing hyperlinks to other websites, this Court does not endorse, recommend, approve, or guarantee any third parties or the services or products they provide on their websites. Likewise, the Court has no agreements with any of these third parties or their websites. The Court accepts no responsibility for the availability or functionality of any hyperlink. Thus, the fact that a hyperlink ceases to work or directs the user to some other site does not affect the opinion of the Court. judge’s] impartiality might reasonably be questioned.” Parker v. Connors Steel Co., 855 F.2d 1510, 1524 (11th Cir. 1988). But a judge has a duty to sit when there is no legitimate reason to recuse as when the law and facts require. See United States v. Malmsberry, 222 F. Supp. 2d 1345 (11th Cir. 2002) (citation omitted). Moreover, § 455(b) provides certain situations in which partiality is presumed and recusal is required. If the judge reviews the enumerated conflicts of interest in which § 455(b) mandates recusal, and does not find that any apply, the judge is obligated to continue to preside over the case. See Lawal v. Winners Int’l Rests Co. Ops., Inc., No. 1:04-cv-0913-WSD, 2006 WL 898180 at *4 (N.D. Ga. Apr. 6, 2006). Based on the foregoing and having carefully considered Bernath’s motion, the undersigned finds no reason to recuse herself because of bias or impartiality. The undersigned thus will continue to preside over this case. Accordingly, it is now ORDERED: Plaintiff Daniel A. Bernath’s Motion Recuse Article III Judge Chappell for Bias (Doc. 274) is DENIED. DONE and ORDERED in Fort Myers, Florida this 14th day of November 2017. Copies: All Parties of Record 2

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