Jennifer C. Boal
How Judge Boal decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
On a motion to dismiss, Boal will deny dismissal of a putative class action and reject a parallel demand for a more definite statement where the complaint's allegations are adequate -- she does not require the heightened specificity defendants often seek at the pleading stage.
“I recommend that the District Court deny the Defendants' motions to dismiss and for a more definite statement.”
Procedural preferences
Boal is reluctant to certify questions of state law to the Massachusetts SJC where she can resolve the issue and grant summary judgment on existing law -- a litigant hoping to forestall an adverse MSJ via a certification motion should not count on it.
“this Court recommends ... that she grant Supervalu's motion for summary judgment (Docket No. 62) and deny the Estate's motion to certify questions of law to the SJC (Docket No. 78).”
Cautions
Statutory pre-suit notice requirements are enforced at the pleading stage: a plaintiff who fails to ALLEGE that the required written notice was given risks Rule 12(b)(6) dismissal of the claim.
“Here, Butler does not allege that he provided Shire with written notice retaining his right”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“this Court recommends to the District Judge to whom this case is assigned that she grant Supervalu's motion for summary judgment (Docket No. 62)”
“and deny the Estate's motion to certify questions of law to the SJC (Docket No. 78).”
“For the foregoing reasons, I recommend that the District Court deny the Defendants' motions to dismiss and for a more definite statement.”
“this Court recommends that the District Court deny Bear Hill's [motion for summary judgment]; ... judgment should be denied.”
“For the foregoing reasons, this Court recommends that the District Judge assigned to this case grant the defendants' motion to dismiss.”
“For the foregoing reasons, this Court finds that any efficiency gains and cost benefits to the Plaintiff from joining the Doe Defendants in a single action are substantially outweighed by fairness concerns and inefficiencies... Accordingly, this Court recommends that the District Judge assigned to this case exercise its discretion to sever Does 2-22 from this action.”
“Having found that the subpoenas contain erroneous information and given the attendant risks and burdens imposed upon potentially innocent subscribers, the Court hereby quashes all twenty-two subpoenas in this case.”
“For the foregoing reasons, as well as the reasons included in my report and recommendation on the parties' cross-motions for summary judgment, I recommend that Judge Sorokin grant in part and deny in part the parties' motions to strike.”
“Based on all of the circumstances, the Court finds that dismissal is not warranted in this case. ... Accordingly, the Court declines to recommend that the District Court dismiss this case.”
“For the following reasons, this Court grants in part both motions.”
“This Court denies Defendants' motion for spoliation without prejudice to renewal after the May 16, 2025, production.”
“This Court denies Da Veiga's request for sanctions and attorney's fees.”
“For the following reasons, this Court grants in part and denies in part the motion. ... Accordingly, this Court orders Zealand US to remove redactions regarding the three disputed categories.”
“As the Defendants have failed to show that she was in fact not adequately prepared, this Court denies their request for an order compelling One World to again provide a Rule 30(b)(6) witness and grant the Plaintiffs' motion for an order barring any further deposition of a corporate representative of One World.”
“Accordingly, I deny Chaleplis's motion for a protective order barring any further deposition and order Chaleplis to appear for a continued deposition in person in Boston at a mutually agreeable date within 30 days.”
“Attorney Kasolas's conduct in recording the deposition was improper. At this time, however, this Court declines to impose sanctions.”
“For the foregoing reasons, this Court denies the motion.”
“this Court grants in part and denies in part Plaintiffs' request for sanctions.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
Boal writes reports and recommendations on referred dispositive motions, directly decides discovery and sanctions matters assigned for pretrial management, and enters final decisions in Social Security cases when the parties consent under 28 U.S.C. § 636(c). The Social Security sample excludes stipulated remands conceded by the agency so those agreements do not distort the claimant-outcome counts.
Put Judge Boal's record to work
Ezel drafts and answers grounded in this exact profile: how Judge Boal actually rules, not a generic AI guess.
Opens in Ezel Pro. Every answer is grounded in Judge Boal's own signed orders and cites them.