Lester LeFevre Cecil
How Judge Cecil rules, drawn from 11 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Cecil no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Cecil decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
The court left the plaintiff's chosen forum in place when the movant did not clearly show that another district would be more convenient or better serve justice.
“The defense has made no clear case that it will be more convenient for all of the witnesses and parties to have this case tried in Chicago rather than in Dayton.”
The court enforced an agreement to arbitrate a labor dispute after concluding that federal labor law allowed full enforcement of the employment contract.
“the intent of Congress in enacting the Taft-Hartley Act was to allow full enforcement of employment contracts under the act and that arbitration may be enforced accordingly.”
Undisputed evidence establishing both liability and the amount paid under an indemnity agreement supported summary judgment.
“The court considers that the plaintiff has shown by evidence which leaves no disputed fact in issue as to the amount paid by it on behalf of Hannagan Brothers, Inc., in satisfaction of plaintiff’s obligations on the bonds in question.”
Procedural preferences
Requests for admission were expected to present simple, discrete facts rather than use one discovery device to seek narrative factual statements.
“Requests for admissions should be ‘simple and direct;’ they should be limited to ‘singular relevant facts;’”
The court treated a request to transfer venue as a discretionary balancing question and required a strong showing before disturbing the selected forum.
“The plaintiffs’ choice of forum should rarely be set aside unless the balance as to the convenience of the parties and the witnesses is strongly in favor of the defendant.”
Cautions
A tax-refund claimant could not proceed on a claim that omitted the detailed factual basis required by governing law and regulations.
“The claims do not state in detail the ground upon which the claim for refund is made.”
A statutory bar on judicial review required dismissal after the responsible administrative body had finally denied the federal employee's compensation claim.
“This denial of compensation is an action which cannot be reviewed in the courts”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“the first branch of the motions now before the court will be overruled.”
“The second branch of the motions, seeking a continuance will also be overruled.”
“The fourth branch of the motions will be overruled”
The court resolved objections to four requests for admission rather than a separable party motion.
“the motion of the defendant for a transfer will be overruled.”
The court resolved a submitted tax-refund action without a separable party-motion outcome.
The court resolved a submitted tax-refund action without a separable party-motion outcome.
“The motion to dismiss will be overruled.”
“The motion accordingly will be overruled.”
The court resolved a submitted tax-refund action without a separable party-motion outcome.
“This Court is compelled to sustain the Government’s motion and to dismiss the complaint because it does not state a cause of action.”
The court resolved a submitted contract claim without a separable party-motion outcome.
“The motion of the defendant for judgment on the second and separate defense will be sustained and the complaint dismissed.”
“The temporary injunction heretofore issued by the Court will continue in force until further order of the Court or until the case can be heard on its merits.”
“The motion will, therefore, be overruled as to each of the petitioners.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
The reviewed decisions include federal tax, criminal procedure, labor arbitration, insurance, venue, discovery, service, and indemnity matters. No electronic records are available to quantify the tenure.
A historical record
Judge Cecil 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.