Timothy Kimbrue Lewis
How Judge Lewis rules, drawn from 25 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Lewis no longer sits on this court. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled here.
About Judge Lewis
Timothy K. Lewis was a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Appointed by President George H.W. Bush, Judge Lewis received a commission on October 9, 1992. Judge Lewis previously served on the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, commissioned there on June 18, 1991. Judge Lewis resigned on June 30, 1999.
How Judge Lewis decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In United Transportation Union v. Suburban Transit, he restored an arbitration award because the arbitrator’s reading of “proper cause” drew its essence from the agreement.
“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.”
In Stewart’s tenure-discrimination appeal, he reversed summary judgment because the district court had not considered an earlier grievance committee finding of arbitrariness as circumstantial evidence.
“the district court declined to consider a significant piece of circumstantial evidence offered by Stewart: the grievance committee's conclusion that the denial of tenure to Stewart in 1992-93 was ‘arbitrary and capricious.’”
Procedural preferences
In Luxliner P.L. Export Co. v. RDI/Luxliner, Inc., he reversed an order joining an alleged corporate successor to a judgment under Rule 25(c) because conflicting affidavits about the successor's status required an evidentiary hearing.
“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.”
In General Insurance v. Eastern Consolidated Utilities, he directed the district court on remand to explain its contempt finding, classify it, and justify any 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
In New Hanover Township v. Army Corps of Engineers, he found the permit dispute unripe while a state water-quality certificate remained pending.
“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.”
In United States v. Kauffman, he found counsel’s complete failure to investigate an insanity defense constitutionally ineffective and ordered a new trial.
“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 sits on this court. This profile stays available as a record of how they ruled here. If you're preparing for a matter, start from the court's current bench.