Spottswood William Robinson III
How Judge Robinson rules, drawn from 7 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Robinson no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Robinson decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In Carl Zeiss, Robinson required more than a request to verify an executive's description of protected material before ordering further judicial inspection.
“The necessity the moving party must show is considerably more than a demand that someone other than his adversary look at the materials in question to make certain that statements as to their character are accurate.”
In Hoffa, Robinson disqualified shared counsel because a union seeking restoration of funds could become directly adverse to the accused officer that counsel also represented.
“In that event the interests of the International and the officer would become seriously adverse, and the responsibilities of counsel irreconciliably conflicting”
Procedural preferences
In Trailways, Robinson confined judicial review to statutory authority, adequate findings, and substantial evidence rather than reweighing the agency's competing factual conclusions.
“Our function is limited to determining whether the Commission’s order is within the range of its statutory authority and is predicated upon adequate findings supported by substantial evidence.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“For these reasons, the injunctive relief sought will be denied and the action will be dismissed.”
After trial, Robinson found no negligent act by the electric utility and no substantial physical injury supporting the claimed emotional-distress damages. No party motion is classified from the trial judgment.
“For the reasons discussed herein, judgment will be entered in favor of the defendants.”
“The policy of lenity has no room for operation in this case, and the motion must be denied.”
“Since the complaint provides no basis for the action the motion seeks, the motion will be denied.”
“and it must be dismissed.”
“The motion will be granted.”
“The International’s motion that it be dropped as a plaintiff and permitted to intervene as a defendant will be denied without prejudice to renewal by independent counsel appearing in its behalf.”
“The motion of the trustees ad litem for disqualification will be granted and the International’s proposed answer in intervention rejected.”
“The Government’s motion for modification will be granted.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
No exact-name federal docket records were returned for Robinson's 1964–1966 district tenure, so no historical caseload mix is reported.
A historical record
Judge Robinson 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.