Louis FitzHenry

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit circuit Retired 1935 · served 1933–1935 Appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt (Democratic) 25 signed orders read

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

How Judge FitzHenry decides

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

Procedural preferences

FitzHenry declined to decide abstract legal propositions when the record did not establish an actual dispute over the funds at issue.

“Federal courts are without power to decide questions unless a case is presented in which the rights of persons or property are actually involved.”

In habeas review, he limited federal intervention to violations of fundamental rights protected by federal law.

“It is well established that it is only when fundamental rights secured by the Federal Constitution are invaded that the interference of federal courts is warranted.”

Cautions

A party could not use a void reconsideration order to extend a statutory appeal deadline.

“Appellant acquired no rights by reason of it, and the appeal must therefore be dismissed for want of jurisdiction.”

Signed rulings

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

Mitchell v. New York Life Ins.
75 F.2d 107 (7th Cir. 1934) · 1934-12-13
Appeal (appellants) Denied

“The decree is affirmed.”

Seifer Furniture Co. v. Surprise
78 F.2d 196 (7th Cir. 1935) · 1935-05-28
Appeal (creditor/appellant) Moot / procedural

“the appeal must therefore be dismissed for want of jurisdiction.”

Brown v. United States
73 F.2d 309 (7th Cir. 1934) · 1934-10-27
Appeal (insurance claimant/appellant) Denied

“The judgment is affirmed.”

O'Connell v. Mitchell
78 F.2d 395 (7th Cir. 1935) · 1935-07-02
Appeal (probate judge/appellant) Denied

“Affirmed.”

Culhane v. Rockford Finance & Thrift Co.
74 F.2d 1 (7th Cir. 1934) · 1934-12-08
Appeal (bank receiver/appellant) Denied

“The judgment is affirmed.”

United States v. Polley
67 F.2d 598 (7th Cir. 1933) · 1933-11-02
Appeal (United States/appellant) Denied

“the judgment must be, and is, affirmed.”

United States v. Krueger
77 F.2d 171 (7th Cir. 1935) · 1935-04-02
Appeal (United States/appellant) Granted

“Reversed.”

Wisconsin & Michigan Transp. Co. v. Pere Marquette Line Steamers
67 F.2d 937 (7th Cir. 1933) · 1933-12-22
Appeal (steamship operator/appellant) Denied

“It is therefore ordered that the decree of the District Court be affirmed.”

United States v. Beller
70 F.2d 463 (7th Cir. 1934) · 1934-04-23
Appeal (United States/appellant) Denied

“the judgment must be, and is, affirmed.”

Commissioner v. Cora B. Igleheart Trust Estate
75 F.2d 151 (7th Cir. 1935) · 1935-01-03
Appeal (tax litigants/petitioners) Granted in part

“the decision of the Board must be reversed, and the cause remanded, with directions to take the valuation of the stock as of the date of the death of the donor to-determine the amount of profit from the sale. In all other respects the decision of the Board is affirmed.”

City of New York Fire Ins. v. Chapman
76 F.2d 76 (7th Cir. 1935) · 1935-03-26
Appeal (insurers/appellants) Denied

“The judgment is affirmed.”

Cohan v. United States
77 F.2d 140 (7th Cir. 1935) · 1935-04-30
Appeal (insured veteran/appellant) Granted

“The judgment is reversed, and the cause remanded for a new trial.”

Caseload & timing

From public federal docket records for this judge.

Circuit judges do not carry a single assigned trial caseload.

A historical record

Judge FitzHenry 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.