Verdict . News

Regulatory

•D.C. Circuit decided consolidated challenges to FERC order regarding Trans Alaska Pipeline System's Quality Bank compensation mechanism

D.C. Circuit Rules on Alaska Pipeline Quality Bank Dispute

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued a decision January 23, 2026, in consolidated cases involving major energy companies challenging a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission order regarding the Trans Alaska Pipeline System's quality compensation mechanism.

•Major energy companies including Petro Star Inc., ConocoPhillips Alaska, and TAPS Carriers petitioned for review of the federal regulatory order

Supreme Court

•D.C. Circuit issued decision on Jan. 23, 2026, after Supreme Court remand in terrorism financing case

D.C. Circuit Rules on AstraZeneca Terror Financing Case After SCOTUS Remand

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued a decision in *Joshua Atchley v. AstraZeneca UK Limited*, a case involving allegations that pharmaceutical companies aided terrorism in Iraq. The ruling comes after the Supreme Court remanded the case for further consideration.

•Plaintiffs allege AstraZeneca and other companies aided Jaysh al-Mahdi terrorist group in Iraq

•D.C. Circuit issued decision January 23, 2026, marking fourth consideration of Holocaust art restitution case

DC Circuit Rules in Holocaust Art Restitution Case Against Hungary

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision January 23, 2026, in *David L. De Csepel v. Republic of Hungary*, marking the fourth time the court has considered a family's decades-long effort to recover artwork seized by Hungarian authorities and Nazi collaborators during World War II. The case stems from the systematic theft of Jewish property during Hungary's occupation by Nazi Germany in 1944.

•De Csepel family seeks recovery of artwork seized by Hungarian authorities and Nazi collaborators during WWII

•D.C. Circuit affirmed convictions for mail fraud and conspiracy in counterfeit iPhone scheme

D.C. Circuit Upholds Convictions in Apple iPhone Fraud Scheme

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the criminal convictions of two defendants who participated in an elaborate fraud scheme involving counterfeit iPhones. Haotian Sun and Peng Fei Xue received prison sentences for mail fraud and conspiracy charges related to their efforts to defraud Apple through fake device returns.

•Defendants received 50+ month prison sentences for defrauding Apple through fake warranty claims

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Rules in ERISA Class Action Over Medical Benefits

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a memorandum decision in a class action lawsuit involving over 50 plaintiffs challenging the ILWU-PMA Welfare Plan's denial of medical benefits. The case centers on unpaid benefits for treatments received at the Advanced Pain Treatment Medical Center in San Pedro, California.

•Ninth Circuit issued memorandum decision in ERISA class action with 50+ plaintiffs challenging ILWU-PMA Welfare Plan benefit denials

•Case involves unpaid benefits for medical treatments at Advanced Pain Treatment Medical Center in San Pedro, California

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Affirms Death Sentence Despite Competency Claims

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court's denial of habeas corpus relief for death row inmate Rodney Gene Beeler, rejecting his challenges to his California murder conviction and death sentence based on mental competency issues. The court applied the highly deferential standard required under federal habeas review.

•Ninth Circuit affirmed denial of habeas corpus petition for death row inmate Rodney Gene Beeler

•Court rejected competency-related challenges to his first-degree murder conviction and death sentence

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

Third Circuit Denies Guatemalan's Asylum Appeal in Immigration Case

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals denied Huber Adelmar Camaja-Ceballos's petition for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals removal order. The court upheld the BIA's denial of his applications for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture.

•Third Circuit denied Guatemalan national's asylum petition for review

•Petitioner claimed persecution by gang members but provided inconsistent testimony

•Over 30 hotel workers sued Highgate Hotels and Cove Haven Inc. over allegedly improperly retained gratuity fees collected from guests

CA3

3rd Circuit Rules on Hotel Workers' Gratuity Fee Class Action Suit

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a ruling in a class action lawsuit where hotel workers claimed their employers failed to share gratuity fees collected from guests. The case involves over 30 workers against Highgate Hotels and Cove Haven Inc., with the district court having previously denied summary judgment on unjust enrichment claims.

•The Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on cross-appeals from both workers and hotel operators after district court denied summary judgment

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

2nd Circuit Affirms Conviction, Remands Noah Kitchens Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued a mixed ruling Thursday in United States v. Noah Kitchens, affirming the defendant's criminal conviction while ordering the trial court to strike a risk-notification condition from his supervised release terms.

•Second Circuit affirmed Kitchens' criminal conviction but vacated problematic supervised release condition

•Court ordered district court to strike risk-notification requirement from supervised release terms