James Patrick Leamy

United States District Court for the District of Vermont district Retired 1949 · served 1940–1949 Appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt (Democratic) 10 signed orders read

Judge Leamy no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.

How Judge Leamy decides

Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.

What persuades

In administrative review, he required the agency's conclusion to rest on evidence in the record rather than assumptions about business structure or evasion.

“The simple answer to this claim is that the record is barren of any evidence of that fact or of any evidence from which there could be any such inference.”

He used legislative history to confirm that broad statutory language covered industrial homeworkers.

“This legislative history is compelling evidence of the original and, thus far, continuing intention of Congress to include industrial homeworkers within the scope of the Act.”

Procedural preferences

He preserved jury rights by identifying the complaint's substantive legal claims rather than treating incidental equitable relief as controlling.

“the plaintiffs are as of right, entitled to a trial by jury on all issues raised in paragraphs two and three of the complaint, and on all legal issues raised in paragraph five of the complaint.”

In farmer bankruptcy, he read the rehabilitation provisions liberally enough to protect possession of property needed to keep the farm operating.

“Construing the Act liberally, as we are admonished to do, “lest its benefits be frittered away by narrow formalistic interpretations which disregard the spirit and the letter of the Act””

Cautions

He demanded enough pleading detail to give an alleged bankrupt fair notice, but did not require creditors to supply facts beyond what they could reasonably know.

“This the petitioners have done, and it is difficult to see how they could have done it with any greater clarity.”

He declined to add creditor classifications that the bankruptcy statute's plain text did not contain.

“To hold that this clear and unambiguous language requires a classification of creditors would be nothing short of judicial legislation.”

Signed rulings

A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.

Ransom v. Staso Milling Co.
· 1941-10-13
Motion to strike jury demand (defendant) Denied

“By reason of the foregoing, the defendant’s motion to strike off plaintiffs’ demand for a jury trial is denied.”

Providence Box & Lumber Co. v. Goodrich-Daniell Lumber Corp.
· 1948-10-04
Bankruptcy appeal (debtor corporation) Denied

“The decision of the Referee is affirmed.”

Dombrowski v. Dunn
· 1946-11-18
Motions to dismiss (defendant) Granted

“Motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction is granted.”

Ellsworth v. Brattleboro Retreat
· 1946-11-02
Judgment on the pleadings (defendant) Granted

“Motion granted. Judgment for the defendant.”

United States v. Capen
· 1944-04-25
Promissory note claim (United States) Denied

“Let judgment be entered for the defendants.”

American Fidelity Co. v. Deer-Field Valley Grain Co.
· 1942-03-23
Declaratory judgment on insurance coverage (petitioner insurer) Granted

“It is therefore declared and adjudged that the motor vehicle liability policy issued by the American Fidelity Company to the Deerfield Valley Grain Company furnishes no coverage in the suit of Reando against the Deerfield Valley Grain Company, or in any suit which Reando may bring against Whitney or Hall arising out of the accident and that the American Fidelity Company has no duty to defend therein.”

Declaratory judgment on duty to defend (petitioner insurer) Granted
In re Whitcomb
· 1945-08-14
Motion to exclude mortgaged property from bankruptcy control (secured creditor) Denied

“Motion denied.”

In re Hoag
· 1945-09-26
Petition for restitution (debtor) Granted

“I hold therefore that creditor Macomber has demanded and collected from the debtor the sum of $320.86 in violation of the order of this Court. Let it be repaid, with interest thereon at 6% .from December 8, 1944 to the date of payment;”

New England Dairies, Inc. v. Wickard
· 1943-08-31
Administrative review petition (plaintiff cooperative) Granted

“The ruling of the Secretary is not in accordance with the law and is set aside.”

Fleming v. Demeritt Co.
· 1944-07-11
Fair labor standards act enforcement action (Wage and Hour Administrator) Granted

“Judgment for the plaintiff.”

Caseload & timing

From public federal docket records for this judge.

No case-level docket record was returned for this 1940-1949 tenure. The profile therefore makes no claim about caseload mix, case duration, administrative dispositions, or motion timing.

A historical record

Judge Leamy 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.