William Perry Copple
Judge Copple no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Copple decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In discovery disputes he read the rules to their purpose, refusing to force a corporation to speak through a witness whose interests were adverse to it.
“a corporation cannot be required to designate a Rule 30(b)(6) designee who lacks authority to speak on behalf of the corporation.”
Procedural preferences
He scrutinized the adequacy of class counsel closely, striking class allegations where delay in seeking certification and a fee-driven conflict of interest showed the named plaintiffs could not protect absent members.
“it is clear that plaintiffs cannot adequately and fairly protect the interests of absent members of the proposed class because of their counsel.”
Cautions
He was willing to impose fee-shifting sanctions on a party who pressed a meritless discovery motion.
“Sanders will be required to pay Circle K’s attorneys fees in the amount of $200.00 for having to respond to the frivolous motion.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Motion for Entry of Judgment is hereby denied.”
“Application for Attorney’s Fees is hereby denied.”
“Motion to Compel Compliance with Rule 30(b)(6) is hereby denied”
“Cross-motion for Sanctions is granted to the extent that Sanders’ attorney is required to pay Circle K $200.00 in attorney’s fees.”
“Wesley and Norma Arnold’s motion for partial summary judgment is hereby granted”
“Meritor’s cross-motion for partial summary judgment is hereby denied.”
“Motion to Dismiss Cross Claim for Lack of Subject Matter Jurisdiction is hereby denied.”
“Chick’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment is hereby granted.”
“Meritor’s Motion for Summary Judgment Re: Liability of Chicks is hereby denied.”
“That Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment is denied;”
“That Defendant’s Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment is granted;”
“Plaintiff’s Motion to Reconsider is Granted.”
“Plaintiff’s Motion to Amend or Alter the Findings in the January 20,1989 Memorandum and Order is Granted.”
“Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment is granted.”
“Defendant’s Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment is denied.”
“Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss is Denied.”
“Defendant’s Motion to Transfer is Granted.”
“Defendant’s motion to dismiss is granted, and the complaint and action are dismissed with prejudice.”
“Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment is denied.”
“Defendant’s motion for summary judgment is granted.”
“Plaintiff’s motion for reconsideration is denied.”
“Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment is denied.”
“Defendants’ motion for summary judgment is granted.”
“The defendant’s motion to strike class allegations is granted.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
No electronic case-level dockets assigned to Copple were located for this historical tenure, so no caseload mix or duration claim is made.
A historical record
Judge Copple 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.