William LeBaron Putnam
Judge Putnam no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Putnam decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Reads a tariff provision in the context of the statutory schedule in which Congress placed it.
“disconnected from the position which it occupies in “Schedule E — Silks and Silk Goods.””
Requires proof that negligence was the effective cause of maritime damage, not merely that damage occurred during the service.
“not only that the injury to the ship was caused by the bilge blocks, but also that the efficient reason that they wére injurious was its negligence”
Procedural preferences
Treats an injunction order entered after a merits hearing as final rather than immediately appealable under the interlocutory-order statute.
“this order, refusing to dissolve an injunction passed after hearing the merits of the cause and needing no further action to maintain its efficiency, was not an interlocutory order”
Uses a remittitur to correct an excessive verdict while allowing the prevailing party to preserve the supported portion.
“unless the plaintiff enters a stipulation in this court, waiving so much of its verdict as is in excess of $916.64, the verdict must be set aside”
Cautions
Rejects an artificially narrow construction of a remedial statute when the evidence supports a broader understanding of supervisory work.
“the defendant’s proposition would compel us to give an artificial and narrow construction to a remedial statute”
Requires a positive determination of a defendant's legal obligations before punishment for criminal contempt.
“In proceeding on a matter of contempt, involving a fine and imprisonment, Munroe was entitled to have his rights positively determined”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“The appeal is dismissed, with costs on the motion for the appellees.”
“The judgment of the circuit court is affirmed.”
“The decree of the district court is reversed, ■ and the case remitted to that court for further proceedings”
“this appeal be dismissed, with the costs of this court for the appellee”
“The decree of the district court is reversed, and the case is remanded to that court”
“The judgment of the circuit court is reversed, and the case is remanded to that court”
“The judgment of the circuit court is reversed, the verdict set aside, and the case is remanded to that court for further proceedings”
“The judgment of the circuit court is affirmed, and the costs of this court are awarded to the defendant in error.”
“The decree of the district court is affirmed, and the costs of appeal are awarded to the appellee.”
“The judgment of the circuit court is affirmed.”
A historical record
Judge Putnam 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.