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Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

5th Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment for Origin Bank in Vendor Dispute

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed a district court's summary judgment in favor of Origin Bancorp in a case where Salt and Light Energy Equipment alleged the bank interfered with customer relationships. The energy equipment company had sued its lender for allegedly causing a customer to terminate their vendor relationship.

•Fifth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Origin Bancorp against Salt and Light Energy Equipment

•Energy company unsuccessfully claimed bank interfered with customer relationships

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 8, 2026•2 min read

Fifth Circuit Affirms Crop Insurance Denial Against Texas Farmer

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's summary judgment ruling in favor of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation against Texas farmer Derick Miller. The case involves a disputed federal crop insurance claim for Miller's 2021 cotton and peanut crops in Gaines County, Texas.

•Fifth Circuit affirmed district court's summary judgment for Federal Crop Insurance Corporation against Texas farmer Derick Miller

•Case involved denied crop insurance claim for 2021 cotton and peanut crops in Gaines County, Texas

•Sixth Circuit affirmed enhanced six-month sentence for armed robbery of postal worker

6th Circuit Affirms Enhanced Sentence in Armed Postal Worker Robbery

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed an enhanced sentence for Kendrick Holland, who pled guilty to robbing a postal worker at gunpoint. The district court had imposed a six-month upward variance from federal sentencing guidelines, citing the premeditated nature of the crime and its severe psychological impact on the victim.

•District court considered premeditation and severe psychological impact on victim

•Former county prosecutor convicted of honest services wire fraud and Travel Act violations

Sixth Circuit Affirms Corruption Conviction of Former County Prosecutor

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed the conviction of Ronnie Lee Goldy, a former county prosecutor found guilty of honest services wire fraud and Travel Act violations. The three-judge panel upheld the district court's ruling in a case involving public corruption charges.

•Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court conviction on appeal

•Three defendants appealed federal criminal convictions from Western District of Tennessee

6th Circuit Reviews Multi-Defendant Federal Criminal Appeals

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a decision January 8, 2026, in United States v. Tomarcus Baskerville, involving three defendants who appealed their federal criminal convictions from the Western District of Tennessee. The case has been recommended for publication under Sixth Circuit rules.

•Sixth Circuit recommended the January 8, 2026 decision for publication under court rules

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Vacates Qualified Immunity Denial for Arkansas Deputies

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit vacated a district court's denial of qualified immunity for two Faulkner County Sheriff's Office deputies accused of excessive force during a Christmas Day 2019 arrest. The appeals court remanded the case for reconsideration of the qualified immunity analysis.

•Eighth Circuit vacated district court's denial of qualified immunity for two Arkansas deputies in excessive force case

•Case involves Christmas Day 2019 arrest by Faulkner County Sheriff's Office deputies Chad Pruett and Terry Roper

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Affirms Above-Guidelines Sentence in Child Exploitation Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed an above-Guidelines sentence imposed on Travis Lee Morgan after he pleaded guilty to attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor. The court rejected Morgan's challenge to factual findings about computer ownership and found the sentence substantively reasonable.

•Eighth Circuit affirmed above-Guidelines sentence for attempted transfer of obscene material to minor

•Court rejected challenges to factual findings about computer ownership using clear error standard

•Sixth Circuit affirmed dismissal of federal civil rights claims against Michigan township and officials

6th Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Civil Rights Claims in Neighbor Dispute

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's dismissal of federal civil rights claims filed by Deborah Mulcahey against Township of Chocolay, Michigan, and several officials after stalking charges against her were dropped. The appeals court found Mulcahey failed to state plausible claims and forfeited review on some defendants.

•Case originated from neighbor stalking complaint that led to arrest warrant, but charges were later dropped

•SEC proposes first comprehensive update to small entity definitions for investment firms in years

Regulatory

Jan 7, 2026•4 min read

SEC Proposes Updated Small Entity Definitions for Investment Firms

The Securities and Exchange Commission proposed amendments to rules defining which registered investment companies, investment advisers, and business development companies qualify as small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The changes could significantly impact regulatory burden assessments for smaller firms in the investment management industry.

•Changes would raise asset thresholds to better reflect current market conditions and industry growth