Verdict . News

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Upholds Nuclear Worker's Termination in Time Fraud Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed Energy Harbor Nuclear Corporation's termination of William Shears, rejecting his claims of disability and age discrimination. The court upheld a lower court's dismissal of Shears' lawsuit challenging his firing following a timesheet falsification investigation.

•Sixth Circuit affirmed Energy Harbor Nuclear Corporation's termination of longtime employee William Shears

•Court rejected Shears' claims of disability discrimination, failure to accommodate, and retaliation

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

5th Circuit Affirms Qualified Immunity for Police Supervisors in Louisiana Case

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for police supervisors in a civil rights lawsuit stemming from a 2020 traffic stop. The court ruled that Bilal Hankins failed to overcome qualified immunity defenses in his Section 1983 claims.

•Fifth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for police supervisors in Section 1983 civil rights case

•Court ruled Bilal Hankins failed to overcome qualified immunity defense for supervisory defendants

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 5, 2026•1 min read

8th Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Hospital Worker's ADA, FMLA Claims

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed summary judgment dismissing all discrimination claims brought by former MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center physician assistant Michelle Siebrecht. The appeals court upheld the district court's ruling that rejected Siebrecht's allegations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Iowa Civil Rights Act, and Family and Medical Leave Act.

•Eighth Circuit affirmed complete dismissal of physician assistant's discrimination claims against MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center

•Case involved allegations under Americans with Disabilities Act, Iowa Civil Rights Act, and Family and Medical Leave Act

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

3rd Circuit Upholds Temple Hospital Win in Doctor Discrimination Case

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for Temple University Hospital in a discrimination lawsuit filed by Dr. Judy Pan. The court found no error in the district court's ruling dismissing Pan's claims of discrimination and retaliation.

•Third Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Temple University Hospital in discrimination lawsuit

•Dr. Judy Pan's claims of discrimination and retaliation were rejected by appellate court

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

Second Circuit Affirms District Court in Clarke v. GEICO Appeal

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed a lower court judgment in a case involving Dr. Colin Clarke and his medical practice against multiple GEICO insurance companies. The January 5, 2026 summary order concluded an appeal that arose from civil RICO actions brought by GEICO.

•Second Circuit affirmed district court judgment against Dr. Colin Clarke and his medical practice in dispute with multiple GEICO insurance companies

•Case originated from civil RICO actions brought by GEICO against the medical practice

State Court

•Hawaii Supreme Court consolidated four corporate tax appeals involving three companies challenging state assessments

Supreme Court of Hawaii

Hawaii Supreme Court Consolidates Four Corporate Tax Appeals

The Hawaii Supreme Court accepted applications for writs of certiorari in four consolidated corporate tax appeal cases on January 5, 2026. The cases involve PM & AM Research, Inc., Big Island Science Center, LLC, and Whale Watchers, LLC challenging state tax assessments.

•PM & AM Research, Inc. filed two separate appeals while Big Island Science Center, LLC and Whale Watchers, LLC each filed one

•Four tax appeal cases involving research companies have been consolidated by the Hawaii Supreme Court

State Court

Jan 5, 2026•2 min read

Supreme Court of Hawaii

Hawaii Supreme Court Consolidates Four Research Company Tax Appeals

The Hawaii Supreme Court has consolidated four tax appeal cases involving research organizations challenging state tax assessments. The cases, filed January 5, 2026, involve PM & AM Research Inc., Big Island Science Center LLC, and Whale Watchers LLC in disputes with the State of Hawaii.

•PM & AM Research Inc. appears in two separate appeals against state tax determinations

•Hawaii Supreme Court granted mandamus petition to unseal court records in medical malpractice case

State Court

Jan 5, 2026•2 min read

Supreme Court of Hawaii

Hawaii Supreme Court Orders Unsealing of Medical Malpractice Case

The Hawaii Supreme Court granted a mandamus petition from Civil Beat Law Center for the Public Interest to unseal court records in a civil case involving plastic surgery defendants. The case highlights tensions between court transparency and privacy in medical litigation.

•Case involved plastic surgery defendants including Dr. S. Lawrence Schlesinger and related business entities

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Upholds 32-Year Sentence for Iowa Drug Trafficking Case

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals denied relief to Stephan Rashad Haley, who was sentenced to 384 months in prison after pleading guilty to drug trafficking, fraud, and money laundering charges in two consolidated federal cases.

•Stephan Haley received 384 months (32 years) in federal prison for drug, fraud, and money laundering offenses

•The Eighth Circuit affirmed the sentence, rejecting challenges to a drug premises enhancement