Robert Foster Chapman
Judge Chapman no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Chapman decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Applies straightforward statutory text even when the result displaces a lower court's fact-intensive theory.
“the place to attack the New York judgment is in New York”
Affirms summary judgment when the material facts are undisputed and the governing product-liability rule forecloses responsibility.
“Summary judgment is appropriate where the material facts are not in dispute and a party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.”
Procedural preferences
Requires use of a detailed administrative-review scheme before a parallel civil-rights theory may proceed.
“cover and prescribe the only route to relief anticipated by Congress.”
Avoids premature judicial review when Congress has specified review after a final agency action.
“Piecemeal review of EPA decisions under section 304(Z) before final permit issuance would thwart this ambitious goal and should not be allowed.”
Cautions
Treats failure to appear after adequate notice and opportunity as insufficient cause to reopen an immigration proceeding.
“since Shah had reasonable opportunity to appear at the reopened proceeding, and since there was no reasonable cause for his failure to appear”
Requires foreign service procedures to comply with the governing treaty while favoring retention of the case long enough to permit valid service.
“the case should be retained on the docket pending effective service.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“we reverse the district court and remand for the entry of an order discharging these debts.”
A historical record
Judge Chapman 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.