J. Skelly Wright
How Judge Wright rules, drawn from 28 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Wright no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled here.
About Judge Wright
James Skelly Wright was a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Appointed by President John F. Kennedy, Judge Wright received a commission on March 30, 1962. Judge Wright previously served on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, commissioned there on March 9, 1950. Judge Wright assumed senior status on June 1, 1986 and served until death on August 6, 1988.
How Judge Wright decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In Robinson v. Diamond Housing Corp., Wright reversed summary judgment on a retaliatory-eviction defense because the disputed question of the landlord’s motivation required factual resolution.
“But questions of motivation are particularly inappropriate for resolution on a motion for summary judgment.”
A product defect or mechanical failure need not be proved by identifying a broken component through direct physical evidence. Circumstantial evidence can establish the failure and its origin.
“The law does not require plaintiffs to prove the mechanical failure by specific physical evidence, nor does it require plaintiffs to prove exactly what part of the car was defective, as plaintiffs may prove the mechanical failure solely by circumstantial evidence.”
Procedural preferences
Agency action needs more than a policy conclusion. The record must show reasoned consideration and a rational connection between the agency’s analysis and its result.
“demonstrably has given reasoned consideration to the issues, and has reached a result which rationally flows from its conclusions.”
Cautions
Expert causation testimony loses evidentiary force when it rests on possibilities rather than probability. An opinion that amounts to conjecture does not bridge the causal gap.
“the cases citing Brownhill v. Kivlin adopt a test for expert opinion testimony which discredits such testimony where the expert cannot speak in terms of probability; where, in other words, his opinion is merely a guess based on possibilities.”
Commercial impracticability requires an unexpected contingency, a risk not allocated by agreement or custom, and performance made commercially impracticable by that event. Failure on any element defeats the defense.
“First, a contingency — something unexpected— must have occurred. Second, the risk of the unexpected occurrence must not have been allocated either by agreement or by custom. Finally, occurrence of the contingency must have rendered performance commercially impracticable.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Reversed, for a new trial.”
“Affirmed in part and reversed and remanded in part.”
“The judgment of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals is reversed and the cases are remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.”
“These cases are remanded to the District of Columbia Court of Appeals for reconsideration in the light of this opinion.”
“Reversed and remanded with instructions.”
“appellant’s conviction must be reversed”
“In all other respects, however, we find the Regulations to be valid.”
“We therefore do not disturb the regulations as promulgated.”
“The judgment of the District Court is reversed and the case is remanded for further proceedings in conformity with this opinion.”
A historical record
Judge Wright 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.