In Re Gilbert, 276 U.S. 6 (1928). · Go Syfert
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In Re Gilbert, 276 U.S. 6 (1928). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
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cited 3× by 2 distinct cases, last quoted 2005 · 2 courts · …the duties and obligations of a judicial officer. ✓
54 citation events (12 in the last 25 years) across 13 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: In Re Robert A. Bonito. James Toledano Robert A. Bonito v. Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, Robert A. Bonito v. Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (ca9, 1997-09-26)
Treatment trajectory · 1935 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1935 1980 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 4 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In Re Robert A. Bonito. James Toledano Robert A. Bonito v. Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, Robert A. Bonito v. Guardian Life Insurance Company of America
9th Cir. · 1997 · confidence medium
Such an examination of a judge would be destructive of judicial responsibility.") (internal quotation and citation omitted); In re Gilbert, 276 U.S. 6, 9 (1928) (master assumed duties and obligations of judicial officer).
examined Cited "see" Eldon T. Cordoza, Bruce Train Hans Lemcke Theodore Sorensen Passco Administrative Services, Inc. Passco Development, LLC v. Pacific States Steel Corporation, and Rust Remedial Services Holding Company, Inc. Community Redevelopment Agency for the City of Union City, Real Parties in Interest-Appellees. Eldon T. Cordoza John Franco Theodore Kutsuki Santos Mora Eugene Luna Ray Seccombe, on Behalf of Themselves and All Others Similarly Situated v. Bruce Train, Rust Remedial Services Holding Company, Inc. Community Redevelopment Agency for the City of Union City, Real Parties in Interest-Appellees (3×)
9th Cir. · 2003 · signal: see · confidence high
A special master is a "surrogate" of the court "and in that sense the service performed is an important public duty of high order in much the same way as is serving in the Judiciary." Louisiana v. Mississippi, 466 U.S. 921, 921 , 104 S.Ct. 1701 , 80 L.Ed.2d 175 (1984) (Burger, C.J., dissenting in part from the allowance of the Special Master's expenses); See In re Gilbert, 276 U.S. 6, 9 , 48 S.Ct. 210 , 72 L.Ed. 441 (1928) (observing that accepting appointment as a special master means assuming "the duties and obligations of a judicial officer"); York Int'l Bldg., Inc. v. Chaney, 527 F.2d 1061…
examined Cited "see" Cordoza v. Pacific States Steel Corp. (3×)
9th Cir. · 2003 · signal: see · confidence high
A special master is a “surrogate” of the court “and in that sense the service performed is an important public duty of high order in much the same way as is serving in the Judiciary.” Louisiana v. Mississippi, 466 U.S. 921, 921 , 104 S.Ct. 1701 , 80 L.Ed.2d 175 (1984) (Burger, C.J., dissenting in part from the allowance of the Special Master’s expenses); See In re Gilbert, 276 U.S. 6, 9 , 48 S.Ct. 210 , 72 L.Ed. 441 (1928) (observing that accepting appointment as a special master means assuming “the duties and obligations of a judicial officer”); York Int’l Bldg., Inc. v. Chane…
examined Cited "see" David R. Ruiz, United States of America, Intervenor-Appellee v. W. J. Estelle, Jr. (3×)
5th Cir. · 1982 · signal: see · confidence high
Special Project, supra, 78 Colum.L.Rev. at 828; see In re Gilbert, 276 U.S. 6, 9 , 48 S.Ct. 210, 211 , 72 L.Ed. 441, 442 (1928); Universal Oil Prods.
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
In Re Gilbert
Supreme Court of the United States.
Jan 23, 1928.
276 U.S. 6
Mr. James M. Beck for respondent.
Taft.
Cited by 20 opinions  |  Published
[*7] Mb. Chief Justice Taft

announced the opinion of the Court.

Under our order of November 21st, 1927, the clerk-issued a rule to the respondent, Abraham S. Gilbert, of New York City, a member of this bar, which directed—

That he make written report to this Court showing what fees or allowances have been paid to him (also when and by whom paid) for services as master in the several causes reviewed here during the October term, 1921, and reported in 259 U. S. 101, under the following titles: Newton, as Attorney General of the State of New York, et al., v. Consolidated Gas Company of New York; Same v. New York & Queens Gas Company; Same v. Central Union, Gas Company; Same v. Northern Union Gas Company; Same v. New York Mutual Gas Light Company; Same v. Standard Gas Light Company of the City of New York; Same v. New Amsterdam Gas Company; Same v. East River Gas Company of Long Island City.

That he likewise report whether he has returned or repaid any portion of the fees or allowances received by him as such master, with dates and names of the parties. That if he has received fees or allowances as master in any of the specified causes exceeding the maximum amount held by us to be permissible, and has not returned or repaid the excess, then he shall show cause why his name ought not to be stricken from the roll of attorneys permitted to practice here and he be punished for contempt or otherwise dealt with as the circumstances may require.

On the return day, January 16, 1928, Gilbert presented himself, filed a written report, and was heard through counsel.

[*8] He asserts that he received as fees for services as master in the eight above-mentioned causes a total of $118,000; he sets out their several amounts and shows by whom and when they were paid. He avers that no one of the Gas Companies which paid these fees has ever questioned the amount or asked return of any portion, and says that he believes it was proper for him to retain them, notwithstanding they greatly exceeded what we declared permissible. But, he further says, that if this Court, after viewing' his response, should conclude that he is under legal or moral obligation to return any part of them, he is willing so to do.

In December, 1921, the District Court for the Southern District of New York made allowances to respondent for services as master in each of the above-mentioned causes and directed that they be paid by the complaining corporations respectively and thereafter taxed as costs against the defendants, the Attorney General of New York and others. In obedience to such orders and before the time for appeal expired, these were paid, as follows: By Consolidated Gas Co., Dec. 13, 1921, $57,500.00; By N, Y. & Queens Gas Co., Dec. 16, 1921, $12,500.00; By Central Union Gas Co., Dec. 16, 1921, $12,500.00; By Northern Union Gas Co., Dec. 13,1921, $7,500.00; By N. Y. Mutual Gas Light Co., Dec. 16, 1921, $11,500.00; By Standard Gas Light Co., Jan. 13, 1922, $7,500.00; By New Amsterdam Gas Co., Jan. 13, 1922, $4,500.00; By East River Gas Co., Jan. 13,1922, $4,500.00.

The Attorney General and other defendants insisted that the allowances were excessive. The District Court overruled their objections; the matter came here and was decided May 15, 1922, 259 U. S. 101. We held that in the Consolidated Gas Company’s case twice too much had been allowed and in the other causes three times too much — that the total compensation should not exceed $49,250. And further, that in making these awards the District Court abused its judicial discretion. Accord[*9] ingly, we reversed the challenged decrees and remanded the causes with instructions to fix respondent’s compensation within the following limitations: “In the cause wherein the Consolidated Gas Company is appellee here (No. 750) not exceeding $28,750 — one-half of the amount heretofore allowed; in each of the other seven causes, Nos. 751, 752, 753, 832, 833, 844 and 845, not exceeding one-third of the amount heretofore allowed therein; and in the eight cases allowances totaling not more than $49,250.” We also directed “ such further action in conformity with this opinion as may be necessary.”

Upon receipt of the mandates, issued here June 19, 1922, the District Court ordered that the master’s fees to the extent of the maximum permitted by us should be taxed against the several defendants as costs. Respondent made no effort to secure any further orders or direction by the District Court or this Court.

More than a year thereafter — December, 1923 — apparently moved by published criticisms, respondent instituted a proceeding against the Consolidated Gas Company in the Supreme Court of New York under Sec. 473, New York Civil Practice Act, wherein he sought and obtained a declaratory judgment inciting that that Company had no valid claim against him for return of any part of the $57,500 which it had paid. This proceeding was ill-advised, or worse, and the pronouncement therein cannot aid him here. The state court had no power to determine the matter now before us.

Upon announcement of our opinion, May 15, 1922, it became the imperative duty of respondent immediately to return the fees received by him so far as they exceeded what we declared permissible. It is now his duty, without further delay, to return this excess with interest thereon at 6 per centum, from May 15, 1922.

When respondent accepted appointment as master he assumed the duties and obligations of a judicial officer. He could not rightfully accept or retain anything as com[*10] pensation unless sanctioned by proper order of court. Reception then or now of a gratuity from any party would be indefensible, and whether or no the corporations which paid him by direction of the court are satisfied with the result is now unimportant. He has long been an attorney and counsellor authorized to practice at this bar under the sanction of an oath to demean himself “uprightly, and according to law.” Notwithstanding the adjudication here that excessive fees had been allowed by orders granted in abuse of judicial discretion, he has retained them for more than five years. He knew that he had got unearned money by improper orders of court, but he decided to keep it. Such conduct is far from “upright and according to law” within the fair intendment of those terms. .

Further action will be postponed until Monday, February 20th, 1928. The respondent will present himself at that time and report in writing concerning efforts made to comply with his obligations.