Alvin Benjamin Rubin

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit circuit Deceased · served 1977–1991 Appointed by Jimmy Carter (Democratic) 25 signed orders read

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

How Judge Rubin decides

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

What persuades

Applies contract language as written when no latent or patent ambiguity exists.

“Absent latent or patent ambiguities, the meaning of a contract is for the court as a matter of law.”

Requires the prosecution's evidence to establish every element rather than merely support suspicion.

“Entry into the building was not proved and cannot on the record be inferred.”

Procedural preferences

Treats timely filing as a jurisdictional prerequisite when a rule expressly requires filing within a fixed period.

“The clear language of both provisions specifies that the notice must be filed within the ten-day period to be effective.”

Uses reassignment to the same judge as a practical way to preserve judicial economy in a renewed action.

“Economy of judicial administration can be accomplished by assigning the new case to the same judge if that is desirable.”

Cautions

Rejects attempts to litigate generalized objections without an injury personal to the plaintiff.

“No litigant in the federal courts may appear as a self designated ombudsman for the rights of others.”

Resists summary judgment when the record leaves a material question about the plaintiff's knowledge.

“The district court should not, therefore, have rendered a summary judgment.”

Signed rulings

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

Antonio Perez v. Louie L. Wainwright, Secretary, Department of Offender Rehabilitation
· 1980-10-08
Appeal (state corrections official appellant) Denied

“the order of the district court, 440 F.Supp. 1037, granting writ of habeas corpus is AFFIRMED and the case is REMANDED for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.”

Frank M. Burke, Jr. v. G. William Miller, Secretary of the Treasury
· 1981-01-23
Appeal (taxpayer appellants) Denied

“AFFIRMED.”

In the Matter of Leland Robinson. Leland Robinson v. Helen M. Robinson
· 1981-03-26
Appeal (former spouse appellant) Granted

“The judgment is VACATED and the case remanded with instructions.”

Jo Ann Ellis v. Richard S. Schweiker, Secretary of Health and Human Services
· 1981-11-30
Appeal (disability-benefits claimant appellant) Denied

“Accordingly, the decision is AFFIRMED.”

John R. Woods, Jr. v. United States of America, Department of Transportation and United States Coast Guard
· 1982-08-04
Appeal (Coast Guard license holder appellant) Denied

“For these reasons, the judgment is AFFIRMED.”

Buddy J. Loftin v. Carl Thomas, Sheriff
· 1982-07-26
Appeal (state prisoner appellant) Denied

“Accordingly, the judgment is AFFIRMED.”

Stanley A. La Fargue v. The Supreme Court of Louisiana
· 1981-01-16
Appeal (civil-rights plaintiff appellant) Denied

“The judgment of the District Court is AFFIRMED.”

Donald Joseph Battig v. The Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company
· 1980-01-16
Appeal (injured student plaintiff appellant) Denied

“For these reasons, the judgment is AFFIRMED.”

Lorenzen v. South Central Bell Telephone Co.
· 1983-03-28
Appeal (employment plaintiff appellant) Denied

“AFFIRMED for the reasons given by the district court. 546 F.Supp. 694 (S.D.Miss.1982).”

Howell Petroleum Corporation v. Eldridge v. Weaver
· 1986-01-17
Appeal (civil RICO plaintiff appellant) Granted

“The judgment of dismissal for failure to state a claim is, therefore, REVERSED”

William Hamilton Gartrell v. James A. Lynaugh, Director Texas Department of Corrections
· 1987-12-07
Appeal (state habeas petitioner appellant) Granted

“For these reasons, the judgment of dismissal is vacated and the case is remanded for further proceedings.”

Judge Jim Scott v. Fort Bend County
· 1989-03-07
Appeal (removed justice of the peace appellant) Denied

“For these reasons, the summary judgment is AFFIRMED.”

A historical record

Judge Rubin 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.