Verdict . News

Regulatory

•Choice Home Warranty will pay $11.8 million in Arizona's largest home warranty fraud settlement

Arizona Wins $12 Million Home Warranty Fraud Settlement

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced a record $11.8 million settlement with Choice Home Warranty, resolving allegations that the New Jersey company defrauded consumers through deceptive practices and hidden exclusions. The settlement stems from more than 1,500 complaints filed against the company between 2013 and 2023.

•The company allegedly manipulated contract language and concealed critical exclusions from consumers

Legal News

•Bankman-Fried claims newly discovered evidence proves FTX had sufficient assets to repay all customer deposits

Manhattan federal court

Bankman-Fried Seeks New Trial in FTX Case, Claims Solvency Evidence

Convicted cryptocurrency mogul Sam Bankman-Fried has requested a new federal trial, claiming newly discovered evidence shows FTX was solvent and could have repaid all customers despite prosecutors' allegations of an $8 billion fraud. His mother filed the self-represented motion in Manhattan federal court.

•He argues the company faced a liquidity crisis from a bank run, not actual insolvency as prosecutors claimed

Federal Circuit

11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Reviews Alabama Sex Offender Residency Law in En Banc Hearing

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals held a rare en banc hearing Tuesday to review Alabama's law barring sex offenders from living with minors, including their own children. The case comes as Alabama advances legislation imposing the death penalty for certain non-homicide sexual crimes against children.

•11th Circuit held rare en banc hearing on Alabama law barring sex offenders from living with their own children

•Bruce Henry challenges restriction after completing prison term and treatment for child pornography possession

•Uninvited solicitor general amicus briefs, historically rare and exceptional, have become noticeably more frequent under the second Trump administration

Solicitor General Breaks Tradition with Surge in Unsolicited Court Briefs

The U.S. solicitor general's office is filing unsolicited amicus briefs at the Supreme Court's certiorari stage with unprecedented frequency during the second Trump administration, breaking from decades of institutional restraint that previously made such filings exceptional.

•The traditional practice involved careful restraint, with such filings reserved for cases of 'profound and enduring institutional interest' to the federal government

•Supreme Court approved California's congressional map adding five Democratic House seats through its interim docket

Supreme Court's Interim Orders on Redistricting Maps Create Lasting Political Impact

The Supreme Court issued a one-sentence order clearing the way for California to use a congressional map adding five Democratic House seats. The ruling demonstrates how the Court's interim docket produces lasting political consequences despite being labeled temporary.

•The ruling responded to Texas' earlier redistricting that created five Republican-favorable seats

Regulatory

•FDA launches comprehensive safety review of BHA, a common food preservative used for decades

FDA Launches Comprehensive Safety Review of BHA Food Preservative

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Monday it has begun a comprehensive re-assessment of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a widely used chemical preservative found in numerous food products. The regulatory review signals potential new scrutiny of a substance that has been approved for decades in the American food supply.

•BHA is widely used in cereals, baked goods, and processed foods to prevent rancidity

•Coalition of New Jersey towns filed Supreme Court application challenging 2024 affordable housing law

New Jersey Towns Ask Supreme Court to Block Affordable Housing Law

A coalition of New Jersey municipalities has filed an emergency application with the Supreme Court seeking to halt implementation of a 2024 state affordable housing law. The local officials argue the legislation violates the state constitution by forcing small towns to shoulder disproportionate housing burdens.

•Municipalities claim law violates state constitution by forcing small towns to bear disproportionate housing burdens

Federal Circuit

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

2nd Circuit Partially Affirms Copyright Ruling Against Shutterstock

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals issued a mixed ruling in McGucken v. Shutterstock, Inc., partially affirming a lower court's decision in a copyright infringement case involving hundreds of unauthorized photographs. Professional photographer Elliott McGucken sued the stock photo marketplace after discovering his work on their platform without permission between 2018 and 2022.

•Second Circuit partially affirmed district court ruling in copyright case against Shutterstock

•Professional photographer Elliott McGucken sued over hundreds of unauthorized photos on platform from 2018-2022

State Court

•Montana Supreme Court affirmed termination of father's parental rights to two children on February 10, 2026

Montana Supreme Court

Montana Supreme Court Affirms Parental Rights Termination

The Montana Supreme Court affirmed a district court's decision to terminate a father's parental rights to two children in a case involving domestic violence and drug abuse. The court rejected the father's appeal and his attempt to assert tribal preference claims on February 10, 2026.

•Case involved domestic violence, drug abuse, and child welfare concerns dating back to 2018 on Rocky Boy Reservation