Verdict . News

•Iowa Supreme Court affirmed parts of appeals court ruling while vacating others in Owen v. Brinker divorce case

Supreme Court of Iowa

Iowa Supreme Court Rules on Spousal Support in High-Asset Divorce Case

The Iowa Supreme Court issued a mixed ruling in the divorce case between Jason Owen and Alison Brinker, affirming parts of an appeals court decision while vacating others. The case addresses complex spousal support issues when high-income couples divorce after building successful businesses together.

•Case involved complex spousal support issues when high-income couple divorced after building successful business

•Nebraska Supreme Court established de novo review standard for motions to dismiss under Rule 6-1112(b)(6)

Nebraska Supreme Court

Nebraska Supreme Court Clarifies Pleading Standards in Ramaekers v. Creighton

The Nebraska Supreme Court issued a ruling December 12 in Ramaekers v. Creighton University, establishing important precedent for how courts review motions to dismiss and amendment requests. The decision clarifies standards that will affect future litigation involving educational institutions and nonprofit organizations.

•Court clarified that proposed amendment futility determinations receive de novo review despite abuse of discretion standard for amendment motions

•Vermont Supreme Court dismissed DCF's appeal as moot in emergency housing benefits case

Supreme Court of Vermont

Vermont Supreme Court Dismisses Emergency Housing Benefits Appeal as Moot

The Vermont Supreme Court dismissed as moot an appeal by the Department for Children and Families regarding eligibility calculations for the state's General Assistance Emergency Housing Program. The case involved a dispute over how the 80-day benefit limit should be calculated for fiscal year 2026.

•Human Services Board ruled that only FY26 days count toward 80-day housing limit

Supreme Court of North Carolina

NC Supreme Court Affirms Complex Business Case Ruling in Howard Trust Dispute

The North Carolina Supreme Court affirmed a lower court's denial of a motion to dismiss in a complex business dispute involving the Ronald E. Howard Revocable Trust and technology company MAXISIQ Inc. The December 2025 ruling allows the trust's lawsuit against multiple defendants to proceed.

•North Carolina Supreme Court affirmed lower court's denial of motion to dismiss in trust lawsuit

•Case involves Ronald E. Howard Revocable Trust suing MAXISIQ Inc. and five individual defendants

•Texas Supreme Court eliminated requirement for direct TxDOT contracts to claim Section 97.002 immunity

Texas Supreme Court

Texas Supreme Court Expands Contractor Liability Protection in Highway Cases

The Texas Supreme Court ruled that highway construction contractors can claim statutory liability protection without having direct contracts with the Texas Department of Transportation. The decision reverses a lower court ruling that had required contractual privity with TxDOT for immunity from construction-related lawsuits.

•Court held contractors conclusively established they worked 'for' TxDOT performing highway construction

•Federal Reserve terminates enforcement actions against multiple Credit Suisse entities and JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Fed Terminates Enforcement Actions Against Credit Suisse and JPMorgan

The Federal Reserve Board announced Wednesday the termination of enforcement actions against multiple Credit Suisse entities and JPMorgan Chase & Co. The conclusion of these regulatory proceedings marks the end of formal federal banking oversight actions that had been in place against these major financial institutions.

•Termination affects Credit Suisse Group AG, Credit Suisse AG, Credit Suisse Holdings (USA), Inc., and Credit Suisse AG New York Branch

•FTC distributing $9.6 million to 168,179 consumers misled by CarShield's vehicle service contract advertising

FTC Distributes $9.6M to CarShield Customers Over False Ads

The Federal Trade Commission is distributing more than $9.6 million in refunds to over 168,000 consumers who purchased vehicle service contracts from CarShield and American Auto Shield following deceptive advertising practices. The settlement stems from a July 2024 FTC complaint alleging the companies misled customers about coverage terms, repair facility choices, and rental car benefits.

•CarShield and American Auto Shield settled July 2024 FTC complaint for nearly $10 million over deceptive marketing practices

•Unwanted call complaints remain 48% below 2021 levels despite FY 2025 increase

FTC Reports Unwanted Calls Down 48% Since 2021 Peak Despite Rising 2025

The Federal Trade Commission released its annual Do Not Call Registry Data Book for Fiscal Year 2025, revealing that while overall complaints increased in 2025, unwanted calls remain 48% lower than their 2021 peak when the agency received five million reports. The registry now protects 258.5 million phone numbers.

•Do Not Call Registry reached 258.5 million active registrations, up 1.9% from 2024

•FTC seeks to block $725 million acquisition of Liquid Nails by Henkel, maker of Loctite brand adhesives

FTC Sues to Block $725M Henkel-Liquid Nails Construction Adhesive Merger

The Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit to block Henkel AG's $725 million acquisition of Liquid Nails, citing concerns that combining the two dominant construction adhesive brands would eliminate competition and drive up costs for American consumers building and maintaining homes.

•Combined company would dominate construction adhesive market at major retailers like Home Depot and Lowe's