Simon Ernest Sobeloff

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit circuit Deceased · served 1956–1973 Appointed by Dwight D. Eisenhower (Republican) 25 signed orders read

Judge Sobeloff no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.

How Judge Sobeloff decides

Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.

What persuades

Defers to labor-board findings when the whole record contains substantial evidence of discriminatory conduct.

“since there is substantial evidence for the Board’s conclusion that the discharges were discriminatory, we enforce its order”

Requires disability-review courts to examine informal administrative records closely for fairness and consistency with Congress's design.

“the courts closely scrutinize the administrative proceedings to insure a result consistent with congressional intent and elemental fairness.”

Procedural preferences

Treats venue as a waivable convenience rule rather than a limit on judicial power.

“Venue is a doctrine of convenience and is not jurisdictional”

Remands when inconsistent trial findings prevent meaningful appellate review of responsibility and indemnity.

“the place to resolve mutually repugnant findings and conclusions is ordinarily in the District Court, not here.”

Cautions

Will not sustain a criminal conviction resting only on an inference that is no stronger than innocent alternatives.

“no conviction may stand upon mere speculation”

Signed rulings

A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.

Padgett v. United States
· 1967-07-05
Appeal (federal-prisoner-petitioner) Granted

“we deem it appropriate, with the consent of the District Court, to remand the case to that court for further consideration”

National Labor Relations Board v. Terry Industries of Virginia, Inc.
· 1969-03-24
Petition for review (labor-board-petitioner) Granted

“the Board’s order is enforced in its entirety.”

Johnson v. Tamsberg
· 1970-07-31
Appeal (public-housing-tenant-appellant) Denied

“Affirmed.”

United States v. Brown
· 1967-08-01
Appeal (criminal-defendant-appellant) Denied

“The judgment of the District Court is Affirmed.”

Lewis v. Celebrezze
· 1966-04-06
Appeal (benefits-claimant-appellant) Denied

“Since there was substantial evidence to support the Hearing Examiner’s decision, the judgment of the District Court is Affirmed.”

United States v. Dyer
· 1968-02-01
Appeal (criminal-defendant-appellant) Denied

“The judgment of the District Court is Affirmed.”

Flack v. Cohen
· 1969-07-14
Appeal (benefits-claimant-appellant) Denied

“the Secretary’s decision denying benefits is supported by substantial evidence. Therefore, the judgment of the District Court is Affirmed.”

United States v. Ketchem
· 1969-12-29
Appeal (criminal-defendant-appellant) Granted

“Reversed and remanded.”

United States v. Hildreth
· 1967-12-04
Appeal (criminal-defendant-appellant) Denied

“In these circumstances, the judgment of the District Court will be Affirmed.”

Bethlehem Steel Corp. v. Devers
· 1968-01-12
Appeal (defendant-appellant) Denied

“Affirmed.”

United States v. Hollis
· 1970-03-30
Appeal (United States-appellant) Granted in part

“the case will be remanded to the District Court for explicit findings clarifying whether or not Hollis was negligent, and to award or withhold indemnity accordingly. Remanded.”

Cantrell v. United States
· 1966-01-25
Appeal (retired-federal-employee-appellant) Denied

“the District Court properly dismissed appellant’s complaint. Affirmed.”

A historical record

Judge Sobeloff 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.