James T. Trimble, Jr.
Judge Trimble no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Trimble decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In diversity cases he applies a disciplined Erie analysis and declines to expand state tort law beyond what the state's high court has recognized: faced with a novel spoliation-of-evidence claim with no Louisiana precedent, he surveyed other jurisdictions and predicted the Louisiana Supreme Court -- which 'intends to move with caution in expanding new areas of delictual responsibility' -- would not recognize the tort absent an agreement, special relationship, or statute.
“Against the backdrop of decisions from other jurisdictions and these policy considerations this court concludes that the Louisiana Supreme Court would not recognize a cause of action in favor of Louisville under the circumstances of this case.”
Procedural preferences
On review of federal agency action he applies the deferential APA arbitrary-and-capricious standard but will set the decision aside where the agency departed from its own regulations and precedent without explanation, resolving the cross-motions for summary judgment on the administrative record.
“Accordingly, this court finds that DOI's decision was arbitrary, capricious and an abuse of discretion.”
Cautions
He reads the AEDPA/IIRIRA judicial-review bars to strip the district court of jurisdiction over challenges to final deportation orders by criminal aliens, dismissing such petitions without reaching the merits.
“petitioner's challenge to the order of deportation issued against him and request for a stay of deportation is DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE as this court is without subject matter jurisdiction to review these matters.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“DOI's Motion for Summary Judgment will be denied.”
“Shell's Motion for Summary Judgment will be granted in part and denied in part”
“IT IS ORDERED that the motion for summary judgment on behalf of Boeing Louisiana, Inc. be and the same is hereby GRANTED dismissing the third-party complaint of Louisville Ladder Company with prejudice.”
“IT IS ORDERED that petitioner's challenge to the order of deportation issued against him and request for a stay of deportation is DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE as this court is without subject matter jurisdiction to review these matters.”
“the first motion ... should be GRANTED in part and DENIED in part. The court finds that the second motion, filed by Mayor Hebron should also be GRANTED in part and DENIED in part.”
“Based on the foregoing, the motion for a permanent injunction will be granted in part and denied in part.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
Median motion-to-ruling time: 157 days (N = 8).
A representative caseload mix and case-duration median could not be computed because his docket predates reliable entry-level coverage. During his active service he carried a general civil and criminal docket in the Lake Charles and Alexandria Divisions.
A historical record
Judge Trimble 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.