Loyal Edwin Knappen
Judge Knappen no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Knappen decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Preserves a party's claim when evidence remains consistent with continuation of the original agreement.
“a failure to so indicate is not necessarily fatal to, or even inconsistent with, his claim that the original agreement still continued.”
Treats a fair trial and absence of reversible error as decisive despite multiple asserted complaints.
“The record impresses us that plaintiff in error has had a fair trial.”
Procedural preferences
Does not review a discretionary ruling absent an abuse of discretion.
“the denial of the motion is not subject to review'.”
Dismisses an attempted interlocutory appeal when the ruling is reviewable only with the final decision.
“its dismissal was therefore not the subject of appeal, in advance of final decision in the original suits.”
Cautions
Requires bad faith or failure to exercise honest judgment before imposing liability under a judgment-based standard.
“it should be made clear that they involve either bad faith or a refusal or failure to exercise honest judgment.”
Rejects patent protection when the asserted work falls short of invention.
“we think what Markel did fell short of invention.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Judgment reversed, and new trial ordered.”
“As to these two excepted matters, the order of the District Court is reversed, and the cause remanded”
“the judgment below is accordingly affirmed, with costs.”
“The appeal is therefore dismissed.”
“The judgment of the District Court is reversed, with costs, and a new trial ordered.”
“the order of the District Court should be reversed, with costs, and the cause remanded, with directions to dismiss the petition for'reclamation.”
“The judgment must be reversed, and the case remanded, with directions to award a new trial.”
“The judgment of the District Court is reversed, and the record remanded to that court, with directions to enter decree finding claim 1 invalid.”
“The order of the District Court is reversed, and the record remanded to that court, with directions to disallow the claims”
“The judgment of the District Court should be affirmed.”
A historical record
Judge Knappen 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.