Bruce Rutherford Thompson
Judge Thompson no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Thompson decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Thompson treated an open school-facility forum as constitutionally unavailable for content-based exclusion of religious speech.
“WCSD has created a limited open forum encouraging access to its facilities by a wide variety of groups but has denied plaintiffs access to this, forum solely because of the religious content of plaintiffs’ intended úse.”
He required an insurer controlling a conflicted defense to give equal consideration to the insured's interests.
“the law requires that the insurer give equal consideration in good faith to the interests of the insured as well as its own interests.”
He rejected the government's contention that a goods-and-services test was invariably required to establish a trade or business.
“the court rejects the Government’s contention that the ‘goods and services’ test is an absolute prerequisite to a finding that Baxter engaged in a trade or business.”
Procedural preferences
Thompson enforced the removal deadline when the initial pleading disclosed the basis for federal jurisdiction.
“the motion to remand is granted.”
He transferred a dispute when the relevant conduct, witnesses, and interests centered in another district.
“this action is hereby transferred to the District of Wyoming for further proceedings.”
He declined to use merits litigation as a vehicle for attorney discipline.
“if any corrective action is to be taken, it should be accomplished under the auspices of the appropriate bar association and should in no way be permitted to affect the decision on the merits of the case.”
Cautions
Thompson declined to prohibit a school district from closing a forum it had no constitutional duty to keep open.
“WCSD does not have a legal or constitutional obligation to open its school buildings to the public.”
An ERISA plan administrator's deliberate delay in supplying plan documents supported statutory penalties.
“The court believes that defendants Caesar’s World and Ms. Beverly Kamps deliberately delayed supplying a copy of the insurance contract as requested in an effort to put off plaintiff.”
In the insurance dispute, unresolved questions about duties, investigation, and settlement conduct defeated all summary-judgment motions.
“There are, nevertheless, serious disputes respecting the scope and character of the duties and responsibilities imposed on it by the insurance contract.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“The motion of Occidental Petroleum Corporation for summary judgment is hereby granted.”
“The motion of the other defendants for summary judgment is hereby denied”
“The plaintiffs’ motion for partial summary judgment is hereby denied.”
“IT HEREBY IS ORDERED that the renewed motion for summary judgment is hereby denied.”
“The motion to dismiss or to join Ar-gentum Consolidated Mines, Inc. as a necessary party is denied.”
“The motion for a bifurcated trial is denied.”
“defendants’ motion for dismissal for lack of subject matter jurisdiction and improper venue is granted”
“summary judgment shall be entered in favor of defendant and against plaintiff to the effect that this action be dismissed with prejudice.”
“IT HEREBY IS ORDERED that this action is hereby transferred to the District of Wyoming for further proceedings.”
“IT HEREBY IS ORDERED that judgment is rendered in favor of plaintiff and against defendant for attorneys’ fees in the amount of $24,800.”
“IT HEREBY IS ORDERED that all motions and cross motions for summary judgment are denied.”
“Plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment is granted to the extent described above.”
“Defendant’s motion for summary judgment is denied.”
“IT HEREBY IS ORDERED that defendants’ motion for summary judgment is granted with the force and effect that this action is hereby dismissed with prejudice.”
“Plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment is hereby granted.”
“IT HEREBY IS ORDERED that plaintiffs motion for attorney’s fees and litigation expenses and ‘just costs’ is hereby denied.”
“IT HEREBY IS ORDERED that plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment dismissing defendants’ counterclaims is hereby denied.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
The 20 reviewed decisions cover varied litigation but do not establish the distribution of Thompson's full caseload.
A historical record
Judge Thompson 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.