Albert Leisenring Watson
Judge Watson no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Watson decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Watson denied summary judgment when competing affidavits left an essential authenticity question unresolved.
“It is clear that there remains a genuine issue of fact which must be resolved before this Court can arrive at an orderly disposition of the case.”
He allowed amendments sought in good faith when they would advance a merits resolution without prejudicing the opposing party.
“where the plaintiff is acting in good faith, is not acting for purposes of delay, and the adverse party will not be prejudiced by the allowance of the amended pleading, then the Court will grant such motion to amend.”
In preference litigation, he placed the burden on the trustee to prove the transferee's reasonable cause to believe the debtor was insolvent.
“The burden was upon the plaintiff to show that the defendant, Noto Lumber Company, had reasonable cause to believe that the debtors were insolvent at the time that the transfer involved in this case was made.”
Procedural preferences
Watson reserved Rule 12(e) relief for pleadings too vague to permit an answer or meaningful trial preparation.
“motions under Rule 12(e) are properly presented only where the complaint is so vague or ambiguous, or contains such broad generalizations, that the defendant cannot frame an answer thereto, or understand the nature and extent of the charges so as generally to prepare for trial.”
He enforced the statutory bar on removing railroad injury actions arising under the Federal Employers' Liability Act.
“This section prohibits removal even though there is diversity of citizenship or the action involves a federal question.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Now, May 1, 1939. Defendant’s motion for a more definite statement and to strike paragraph six from the complaint is denied.”
“The motion of the defendant, the United States of America, to dismiss the action is denied without prejudice.”
“The motion of the defendant for a more definite statement, or a bill of particulars, is dismissed.”
“Now, July 22, 1948, the defendants’ motion for a more definite statement is denied.”
“Plaintiff’s motion to remand must be granted and an appropriate order will be entered herewith.”
“Plaintiffs’ motion for a new trial will be denied.”
“The Court must, therefore, deny the petition for a writ of habeas corpus and order the rule to show cause discharged.”
“The petition is premature and must be denied.”
“Judgment should be entered in favor of the defendant, Noto Lumber Company, and against the plaintiff, Frank J. DeSanto.”
“The petition is premature and must be denied.”
“An appropriate order will be filed granting defendant’s motion to dismiss and judgment will be entered for defendant on plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
The located writings span civil pleading, bankruptcy, habeas and post-conviction relief, tax, labor arbitration, railroad injury, and contract disputes. They do not establish the distribution of Watson's full caseload.
A historical record
Judge Watson 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.