Donnell Gilliam
How Judge Gilliam rules, drawn from 25 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Gilliam no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Gilliam decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In the towage dispute, Gilliam treated a party's unjustified interference with continued performance as a breach supporting contract damages.
“Since respondent had no legal right to treat the contract as terminated, it follows that by his interference- and prevention of further performance-by libelant he committed a breach of the-contract”
Procedural preferences
In Wilson, Gilliam required a concrete showing of good cause before ordering production of an opponent's trial-preparation materials.
“Good cause does not appear on the facts here. It is not alleged.”
Cautions
In the Nola Dare lien dispute, Gilliam applied laches more strictly because a good-faith purchaser had acquired the vessel without notice.
“a delay of twenty-one months, under the facts here, establishes laches which bars recovery.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“plaintiff’s motion to remand is therefore denied.”
“An order vacating the default and allowing defendant to file answer will be entered.”
“An order denying the motion to remand will be entered.”
“the home-trailer is not subject to forfeiture under any statutory provision and that the libel should be dismissed.”
“Judgment will be entered in favor of libelant and against respondent in the amount of $8,891.73, with interest at 6 percent from October 8, 1951, and costs.”
“Since respondent had no legal right to treat the contract as terminated, it follows that by his interference- and prevention of further performance-by libelant he committed a breach of the-contract and is liable for the damages sustained by libelant.”
“For libelant’s negligence in the grounding of the barge, respondent is entitled to damages in the amount of the repairs to the barge and other necessary expenses reasonably incurred by him.”
“The petition is denied and it is so ordered.”
“the Cadillac car, Motor Number 556201303, be returned to the claimants, Lem A. Cohoon and Evelyn Cohoon, upon payment of all expenses incident to the seizure and forfeiture incurred by the United States.”
“I find that the maritime lien of libelant is established.”
“the Buick Automobile, Motor No. V-738 9237, be delivered to the claimant, General Motors Acceptance Corporation upon payment of all expenses incident to the seizure and forfeiture incurred by the United States.”
“The United States is entitled to its motion for summary judgment and such judgment will enter.”
“the defendant’s motion is denied.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
No electronic case records were available from which to describe a docket sample.
A historical record
Judge Gilliam 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.