Clyde Henry Hamilton
How Judge Hamilton rules, drawn from 32 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Hamilton no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Hamilton decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
An employment arbitration agreement has adequate consideration when both sides agree to be bound by the arbitration process for claims covered by the agreement; no separate promise to consider or grant employment is required.
“As in O’Neil, both parties in this case agreed to be bound by the arbitration process for the resolution of any claim required to be submitted to arbitration under the Dispute Resolution Agreement.”
After the employer produces a legitimate reason in an age-discrimination case, the plaintiff retains the ultimate burden to show both that the explanation was pretextual and that age actually drove the decision.
“the plaintiff bears the ultimate burden of proving both that the employer’s asserted reason was pretextual and that the plaintiffs age was the true reason for the challenged employment decision.”
Procedural preferences
A plan participant need not prove prejudice before a court may impose statutory penalties for failure to furnish required ERISA documents, although prejudice and administrator bad faith remain relevant to the penalty amount.
“Accordingly, prejudice to the party requesting the documents is not a prerequisite to the imposition of penalties.”
Cautions
Section 301 does not preempt a state-law employment claim merely because a collective bargaining agreement exists or might be consulted. Preemption requires the state claim's resolution to depend on interpreting the agreement.
“preemption occurs only when resolution of a state law claim depends upon the meaning of the collective bargaining agreement”
Under Virginia's civil conspiracy statute, treble damages already serve a punitive function. Adding a separate punitive award for the same conspiracy injury is an impermissible double recovery.
“the additional punitive damages award of $10,000 was erroneous because it represented a double recovery for Adelphia on Adelphia’s statutory conspiracy claim”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Because we find that Guess’ claims are barred by res judicata and application of District of Columbia Court of Appeals v. Feldman, 460 U.S. 462, 103 S.Ct. 1303, 75 L.Ed.2d 206 (1983), we affirm the district court’s dismissal of his action in Guess.”
“For reasons stated below, we affirm.”
“District 28, United Mine Workers of America (District 28), appeals the district court’s decision vacating the penalty portion of an arbitration award. For the reasons stated herein, we affirm.”
“For the reasons stated herein, we reverse and remand with instructions to enter judgment in favor of the Defendants.”
“For reasons that follow, we affirm the appellants’ convictions, but vacate the forfeiture of Wild’s house and remand for further proceedings.”
“For the reasons that follow, we vacate Harrison’s sentence and remand for resentencing.”
“For reasons that follow, we reverse Johnson’s convictions and remand for a new trial.”
“Because we conclude that the crime of felony attempted escape from custody, in violation of 18 U.S.C.A. § 751(a), in the abstract, ‘involves conduct that presents a serious potential risk of physical injury to another,’ USSG § 4B1.2(l)(ii), we vacate Dickerson’s sentence and remand for resentencing.”
“We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand with instructions.”
“We affirm the magistrate judge’s decision holding CQC liable for statutory conspiracy and affirm the magistrate judge’s award of damages to Adelphia, except the punitive damages award, which we vacate.”
“Because we conclude that there is no basis for our jurisdiction under these circumstances, we dismiss this appeal.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
Circuit judges do not have individually assigned trial-court caseloads. Hamilton's earlier District of South Carolina service is a separate body of work.
A historical record
Judge Hamilton 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.