Opinion
8:23-cv-2222-TPB-NHA
01-24-2024
ORDER OF RECUSAL
NATALIE HIRT ADAMS UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
This matter comes before the Court sua sponte. A judge shall disqualify herself in any proceeding in which her impartiality might reasonably be questioned. 28 U.S.C. § 455(a). When proper grounds exist, a judge has an affirmative and self-enforcing obligation to recuse herself sua sponte. United States v. Kelly, 888 F.2d 732, 744 (11th Cir. 1989).
Defendant SafeRent Solutions, LLC is represented by Foley & Lardner LLP. I was a partner at Foley & Lardner LLP from October 2022 to October 2023. While I cannot tell if section 455(b) requires my recusal, given the recency of my association with the law firm, I find that section 455(a) does require it.
Accordingly, the Clerk of Court is directed to reassign this case, by random draw, to another United States Magistrate Judge.