Edward Thaxter Gignoux
Judge Gignoux no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Gignoux decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Gignoux reinstated disability benefits when the administrative conclusion lacked substantial evidentiary support.
“there is not substantial evidence in the record to support the Secretary’s decision”
Gignoux found personal jurisdiction where a long course of substantial, forum-connected contracting made litigation in Maine foreseeable.
“the extent of WHDH’s dealings in this State has been such that it is not unfair to require it to defend the present action in Maine”
Procedural preferences
Gignoux applied the domestic-relations exception even where the ordinary diversity-jurisdiction requirements were satisfied.
“This case falls within the long-recognized “domestic relations exception” to federal diversity jurisdiction.”
Gignoux treated a plaintiff's unilateral in-state performance as insufficient to establish jurisdiction over an out-of-state defendant.
“a plaintiff’s unilateral performance within the forum state is insufficient to support the exercise of personal jurisdiction over nonresident defendants.”
Cautions
Gignoux required prison legal-mail inspection procedures to preserve confidential attorney-client communication.
“the inmates are entitled to be present when the prison officials open incoming mail from attorneys to inspect for contraband.”
Gignoux invalidated an election deadline where the state failed to justify its unequal burden on independent presidential candidates.
“the State has failed to show any compelling interest, or even a rational justification, for the April 1 filing deadline.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“For the foregoing reasons, it is ORDERED that plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment is GRANTED; defendant’s motion for summary judgment is DENIED; and this case is REMANDED to the Secretary with directions to reinstate plaintiff’s disability insurance and supplemental security income benefits in accordance with the views herein expressed.”
“this case is REMANDED to the Secretary with directions to reinstate plaintiff’s disability insurance and supplemental security income benefits in accordance with the views herein expressed.”
“plaintiff’s motion to remand is granted and an order will be entered remanding the action to the Hancock County, Maine, Superior Court.”
“Declaratory judgment is hereby granted to plaintiffs Ellie G. Ricker and Elizabeth Ricker as follows:”
“It is ordered that their motions to dismiss the indictments are denied.”
“Defendants’ Second Affirmative Defense is sustained.”
“Defendants’ Fourth Affirmative Defense is overruled.”
“the defendant’s motion for summary judgment is granted; the plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment is denied; and judgment will be entered affirming the decision of the Secretary and dismissing the complaint.”
“Aetna’s claim must be disallowed.”
“judgment will be entered dismissing the complaint, with prejudice.”
“the inmates are entitled to be present when the prison officials open incoming mail from attorneys to inspect for contraband.”
“Defendants’ motions in arrest of judgment are denied.”
“Petitioners’ motion for summary judgment is granted. Respondent’s motion for summary judgment is denied.”
“the motions to dismiss these actions against this defendant for improper venue are denied.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
Twenty returned tenure dockets were filed from 1972 through 1977 and later marked terminated. Their recorded durations ranged from 1,310 to 3,321 days, with a median of about 1,833 days. Because the sampled dockets retained no entry timeline and most lacked subject-matter coding, these records support only limited case-duration context.
A historical record
Judge Gignoux 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.