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State Court

•Attorney Katherine Hine failed to respond to formal disciplinary complaint from Ohio's Board of Professional Conduct

Ohio Supreme Court

Ohio Attorney Katherine Hine Suspended for Default in Disciplinary Case

The Ohio Supreme Court has issued an immediate interim default suspension against attorney Katherine Hine of Chillicothe for failing to respond to a formal disciplinary complaint. The suspension, effective February 6, 2026, prohibits Hine from practicing law in any capacity until further notice.

•Ohio Supreme Court issued immediate interim default suspension effective February 6, 2026

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit Affirms 20-Year Sentence in Child Abuse Material Case

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed in part and dismissed in part the conviction and 240-month sentence of Beau Thomas Shores for receipt of child sexual abuse material. The court issued an unpublished per curiam opinion on February 6, 2026.

•Fourth Circuit affirmed 240-month sentence for receipt of child sexual abuse material

•Court issued mixed ruling, affirming in part and dismissing in part on appeal

State Court

•Iowa Supreme Court unanimously reversed dismissal of pro se wrongful death case

Supreme Court of Iowa

Iowa Supreme Court Reverses Dismissal of Pro Se Medical Malpractice Case

The Iowa Supreme Court unanimously reversed a lower court's dismissal of a wrongful death medical malpractice lawsuit filed by Preston H. Tornell, who represented himself after his wife Kara died following emergency treatment at MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center.

•Preston Tornell sued multiple healthcare defendants after wife's death at MercyOne hospital

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fourth Circuit Affirms Mental Incompetency Finding in Federal Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court's determination that Travis Keith Lang is incompetent to stand trial due to delusional disorder. The appeals court upheld the lower court's order committing Lang to federal custody for competency evaluation and potential restoration.

•Fourth Circuit affirmed district court finding that Travis Keith Lang is incompetent to stand trial due to delusional disorder

•Lang will remain in federal custody for competency evaluation and potential restoration under 18 U.S.C. § 4241(d)(2)

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Reviews Racial Hostile Work Environment Standards

The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals is reviewing a case that could reshape how workplace discrimination claims are evaluated, deciding whether evidence of general discrimination against racial minorities can support an individual employee's hostile work environment claim.

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed dismissal of discriminatory termination claims but revived hostile work environment claim

•Court found substantial evidence to support racial hostile work environment allegations despite insufficient evidence for termination claims

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Tackles Hostile Work Environment Standards in Race Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit issued a split decision in *Melton v. I-10 Truck Center*, affirming summary judgment on discrimination and retaliation claims while vacating dismissal of a hostile work environment claim. The court addressed whether workplace discrimination against all racial minorities can support an individual employee's hostile environment claim.

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed dismissal of discrimination and retaliation claims but revived hostile work environment claim

•Court addressed whether discrimination against all racial minorities can support individual hostile environment claims

Federal Circuit Court of Appeals

Federal Circuit Dismisses USPS Worker's Back Pay Appeal

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed a Merit Systems Protection Board decision dismissing Lance McDermott's petition for enforcement of back pay. The court ruled that the United States Postal Service had complied with its payment obligations to McDermott for annual leave and interest.

•Federal Circuit affirmed Merit Systems Protection Board dismissal of McDermott's back pay enforcement petition

•USPS complied with obligations to pay former maintenance mechanic for annual leave and interest

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Vacates Lifetime Computer Ban for Child Porn Offender

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit vacated a lifetime computer ban imposed on Johnnie Lewis, who pled guilty to possessing child pornography as a repeat offender. The appellate court found the special condition preventing Lewis from possessing or using computers was overly broad and remanded the case to the district court for reconsideration.

•Lewis pled guilty to child pornography possession as a repeat offender under federal law

•District court imposed lifetime supervised release with complete computer ban

•DHS agents killed two U.S. citizens and engaged in allegedly unconstitutional tactics during Minneapolis operations

Supreme Court

2w ago•4 min read

Supreme Court

Legal Scholar: Supreme Court Rulings Enable Federal Agent Misconduct

A constitutional law professor argues that decades of Supreme Court decisions have systematically weakened legal remedies for constitutional violations, creating an environment where federal agents can engage in potentially unlawful conduct with minimal accountability. Recent DHS enforcement actions in Minneapolis exemplify how judicial precedents have made it nearly impossible to challenge governmental overreach.

•Supreme Court decisions have systematically weakened legal remedies for constitutional violations over decades