Verdict . News

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

5th Circuit Rules on New Orleans Short-Term Rental Permit Challenge

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a per curiam opinion in Marquardt v. City of New Orleans, addressing constitutional challenges to the city's short-term rental permitting system. Both parties cross-appealed aspects of the district court's ruling on Takings Clause violations and attorney fee awards.

•Fifth Circuit issued per curiam opinion in constitutional challenge to New Orleans short-term rental permits

•District court found city violated Takings Clause during limited period before 2023 permit expiration

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Affirms Conviction in Child Trafficking Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed the conviction and sentence of Kelly Richards on charges of trafficking minors, sexually exploiting children, and possessing a firearm as a felon. The unanimous three-judge panel rejected Richards' appeal in a decision issued Jan. 9.

•Sixth Circuit affirmed Kelly Richards' conviction on trafficking minors, sexual exploitation, and felon firearm possession charges

•Case involves two 14-year-old girls from Hope Haven for Girls group home in Dayton, Ohio in early 2023

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

5th Circuit Upholds Dismissal of TMX Finance Challenge to PA Investigation

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a federal district court's decision to dismiss TMX Finance Corporate Services' lawsuit challenging Pennsylvania banking regulators' investigation. The ruling allows the state's enforcement action seeking over $52 million in sanctions against TitleMax-affiliated entities to proceed.

•Fifth Circuit affirmed dismissal of TMX Finance lawsuit challenging Pennsylvania banking investigation

•Pennsylvania seeks over $52 million in sanctions against TitleMax entities for alleged usury violations

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

7th Circuit Upholds Developer's Conviction for Bribing Chicago Alderman

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction and 32-month prison sentence of developer Charles Cui for bribing Chicago's longest-serving alderman Edward Burke to secure influence over a city permit matter. The January 9, 2026 ruling rejected all of Cui's appeal challenges.

•Seventh Circuit affirmed Charles Cui's 32-month sentence for bribing Chicago Alderman Edward Burke over a city permit

•Cui needed Burke's influence after Chicago denied a pole sign permit that threatened his $2 million development financing deal

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

7th Circuit Affirms Milwaukee Drug Trafficking Conviction

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit affirmed the conviction of Michael J. Yumang on drug trafficking and firearms charges following searches that uncovered distribution quantities of methamphetamine. The appeals court rejected Yumang's challenge to testimony from a government drug analyst.

•Seventh Circuit affirmed conviction of Michael Yumang on drug trafficking and firearms charges

•Searches uncovered distribution quantities of methamphetamine and weapons in Milwaukee area

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Rules in Decades-Old Murder Case Appeal

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a recommended opinion in *Donald Herb Johnson v. Laura Plappert*, addressing a Kentucky inmate's challenge to his 30-year-old murder conviction. The case, decided Jan. 9, involves complex questions of guilty plea validity and trial court procedures.

•Sixth Circuit issued recommended opinion in Kentucky inmate's 30-year-old murder case appeal

•Donald Herb Johnson challenges validity of guilty plea entered over three decades ago

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Sets New Class Action Standing Standard in FCRA Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a district court's partial summary judgment ruling in favor of Milliman, Inc. in a Fair Credit Reporting Act class action, establishing that both named and unnamed class members must demonstrate standing at summary judgment while applying usual summary judgment standards.

•Ninth Circuit reversed district court's partial summary judgment in favor of Milliman in FCRA class action

•Court established that both named and unnamed class members must demonstrate standing at summary judgment

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Upholds Class Certification in Nestlé Chocolate Labeling Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's certification of two state-based class actions against Nestlé USA, Inc. The lawsuit alleges the company used deceptive labeling claiming chocolate products were 'sustainably' or 'responsibly' sourced when they were allegedly produced using child labor and contributing to deforestation.

•Ninth Circuit affirmed class certification against Nestlé for allegedly deceptive sustainability labeling on chocolate products

•Lawsuit claims Nestlé's 'sustainably' and 'responsibly sourced' labels falsely implied products were free of child labor and deforestation

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Denies Federal Prisoner's First Step Act Challenge

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court's denial of a habeas corpus petition filed by federal prisoner Steven Hadley Hassan, who challenged his exclusion from First Step Act time credit benefits. The unpublished memorandum decision represents another example of courts strictly interpreting the Act's eligibility restrictions for certain offense categories.

•Steven Hadley Hassan's habeas corpus petition challenging First Step Act exclusions was denied by both district and appeals courts

•The Ninth Circuit applied de novo review and affirmed the lower court's strict interpretation of the Act's eligibility restrictions