William Hedgcock Webster
Judge Webster no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Webster decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Refuses summary judgment when a genuinely disputed fact is material to the governing liability rule.
“Because we find that the existence of the lease is a fact both genuinely disputed and material, we reverse.”
Tests disability decisions against substantial evidence in the record as a whole, including critical medical testimony.
“The Secretary’s denial of Lund’s claim is thus not supported by substantial evidence in the record as a whole.”
Procedural preferences
Treats dismissal with prejudice as one option among less drastic tools for managing litigation misconduct.
“Alternatives to dismissal with prejudice include requiring payment of court costs and jury expenses, dismissal without prejudice, and civil contempt proceedings.”
Applies the rule that leave to amend should ordinarily be granted when justice requires it.
“leave shall be freely given when justice so requires.”
Cautions
Ends claims that have become moot or lack jurisdiction without converting the disposition into a merits ruling.
“the present mootness of the Section 1983 claim and the absence of jurisdiction under the habeas corpus claim are so apparent that further hearings are unnecessary.”
Requires a proper request before reversing for omission of a lesser-included-offense instruction because the choice carries tactical consequences.
“Because of the tactical implications of giving or not giving a lesser included offense instruction, our Court has held that a proper request made and denied is a condition precedent for reversal on this ground.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“The Order of the Board directing Southern Paper Box Company to bargain with the union is hereby enforced.”
“The judgment of dismissal is therefore vacated and the cause is remanded to the District Court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.”
“The Board’s order is hereby enforced.”
“The judgment of conviction is affirmed.”
“Reversed and remanded for further proceedings in accordance with this opinion.”
“The judgment of the District Court is affirmed.”
“The judgment and sentence are affirmed.”
A historical record
Judge Webster 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.