Thomas Morrow Reavley
How Judge Reavley rules, drawn from 28 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Reavley no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled here.
About Judge Reavley
Thomas Morrow Reavley was a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Appointed by President Jimmy Carter, Judge Reavley received a commission on July 13, 1979. Judge Reavley assumed senior status on August 1, 1990 and served until death on December 1, 2020.
How Judge Reavley decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In Ashford's prison assault suit, he held that a specific prison policy constrained officials' discretion and reversed summary judgment on the Federal Tort Claims Act claim.
“Here, however, there is a specific policy in place that constrained the decision-making ability of the prison officials.”
In Soriano's immigration appeal, he held that substantial evidence supported the finding that Soriano was inadmissible and denied review.
“Soriano did not meet his burden to establish that he was clearly admissible, and thus the BIA’s holding was supported by substantial evidence.”
Procedural preferences
In Walters's criminal appeal, he enforced the defendant's sentencing-agreement appeal waiver after Walters received its promised benefit.
“benefit of his bargain”
Cautions
In Lanier's fraud appeal, he criticized defense counsel's unsupported accusations about opposing counsel's integrity.
“could not have been made in good faith”
In Greenwich's insurance dispute, he held that federal law did not preempt the state association's reporting deadlines after the insurer failed to comply.
“We must decide whether, under the facts of this case, reporting deadlines imposed by the Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association are preempted by federal law. They are not.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“The conviction and sentence are otherwise AFFIRMED.”
A historical record
Judge Reavley no longer hears cases. 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.