Timothy Kimbrue Lewis
Judge Lewis no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Lewis decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Gives strong effect to the limited judicial role in reviewing labor-arbitration awards.
“In sum, that the arbitrator's interpretation of "proper cause" was a legitimate reading of that phrase compels the conclusion that the arbitrator's award both construed and drew its essence from the CBA.”
Treats evidence that an employer's stated reason is unworthy of belief as sufficient to reach a jury.
“Because we conclude that the district court's grant of summary judgment was improper, in light of its failure to consider the grievance committee's finding of arbitrariness as probative evidence of racial animus, we need not reach Stewart's contention that Rutgers' proffered reasons for her tenure denial are "unworthy of credence."”
Procedural preferences
Requires an evidentiary hearing before successor liability is imposed when material facts and credibility are disputed.
“We merely hold that in circumstances such as these, where facts are disputed and the credibility of explanations for some of them is at issue, the district court should have conducted an evi-*76dentiary hearing.”
Documents the basis and type of contempt before selecting sanctions.
“On remand, the district court should ensure that it documents its reasons for finding Gubitosi in contempt, the type of contempt applicable (civil or criminal) and its rationale for the particular sanctions that it ultimately imposes.”
Cautions
Avoids premature judicial review while an agency process may still eliminate the controversy.
“Because neither the Township nor anyone else will experience any effects from the Corps’ decision unless and until Pennsylvania grants a water quality certificate, when fill work can begin, this case is not ripe.”
Treats a complete failure to investigate an available defense as an uninformed judgment rather than strategy.
“Instead, his failure to investigate or research the insanity issue at all resulted in a cursory, uninformed judgment call which deprived Kauffman of the affirmative defense of insanity and the meaningful representation which the Constitution requires.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Thus, for the reasons stated, this appeal will be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.”
“In conclusion, we will vacate the district court’s grant of judgment to the Corps and remand this case to the district court so that the district court may dismiss it as being unripe.”
“For the reasons set forth above, we will affirm the district court’s application of the “one book rule.” We will, however, remand to the district court for resentencing and reconsideration in accordance with this opinion.”
“For the foregoing reasons, we will reverse and remand with instructions to confirm the arbitration award.”
“In conclusion, we will reverse the district court’s decision to treat the Manville Trust as a settled defendant and its calculation of delay damages. The judgment of the district court will be vacated and this case remanded for entry of judgment consistent with this opinion.”
“We will modify the judgment of the district court to clarify that dismissal of Spence’s suit is without prejudice to Spence bringing another suit under the Rehabilitation Act if and when he exhausts his Title VII administrative remedies under the Act. In all other respects, the district court will be affirmed.”
“We will reverse and remand for further proceedings in accordance with this opinion.”
“For the foregoing reasons, we will affirm the judgment of the district court.”
“For the foregoing reasons, we will affirm the district court’s decision in its entirety.”
“Accordingly, we will reverse the judgment of the district court, and remand for resentencing in accordance with this opinion.”
“Therefore, we will grant the NLRB’s petition for enforcement of its July 24,1997 order.”
“For the foregoing reasons, we will affirm the judgment of the District Court.”
A historical record
Judge Lewis 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.