Verdict . News

•Wyoming Supreme Court affirmed district court's termination of Heather Dawn Ritchie's parental rights

Wyoming Supreme Court

Wyoming Supreme Court Affirms Termination of Parental Rights

The Wyoming Supreme Court affirmed a district court's decision to terminate Heather Dawn Ritchie's parental rights to her minor child. The high court ruled there was sufficient evidence to support the termination under state law after a five-day bench trial in Natrona County.

•Court ruled sufficient evidence supported termination under Wyoming Statute Section 14-2-309(a)(v)

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Affirms Denial of Conviction Challenge in Immigration Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's denial of Jose de Jesus Garcia Rodriguez's motion to vacate his criminal conviction. Garcia Rodriguez claimed his attorney provided ineffective assistance by failing to warn him about deportation consequences before he entered a guilty plea.

•Garcia Rodriguez claimed his attorney failed to warn him about deportation consequences before his guilty plea

•The Ninth Circuit granted a certificate of appealability on the ineffective assistance issue

•Iowa Supreme Court unanimously affirmed jurisdiction over TikTok entities in Attorney General Brenna Bird's lawsuit

Supreme Court of Iowa

Iowa Supreme Court Affirms Jurisdiction Over TikTok in Safety Lawsuit

The Iowa Supreme Court unanimously affirmed a district court's denial of TikTok's motion to dismiss Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird's lawsuit. The case alleges TikTok entities misled users about app safety through false age ratings despite mature content.

•Case alleges TikTok misled users with "12+" age rating despite mature content on platform

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit Affirms Lower Court in Immigration Rights Challenge

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a federal district court ruling in a case brought by ten immigrant advocacy organizations challenging policies under Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

•Fourth Circuit affirmed lower court ruling in 2-1 decision favoring federal defendants

•Ten immigrant advocacy organizations challenged DHS and USCIS policies under current leadership

•Illinois Supreme Court unanimously affirmed defense verdict in medical malpractice case against Quincy Medical Group

Illinois Supreme Court

Illinois Supreme Court Affirms Medical Malpractice Defense Verdict

The Illinois Supreme Court unanimously affirmed a defense verdict in a medical malpractice case against Quincy Medical Group, rejecting plaintiff Robert Schilling's arguments that the trial court should have declared a mistrial after receiving a note from a juror.

•Plaintiff challenged trial court's response to juror note and jury polling procedures

Court of Appeals of Maryland

Maryland Supreme Court Reinstates Attorney Brendan O'Brien to State Bar

The Maryland Supreme Court has reinstated attorney Brendan Michael O'Brien to the state bar, granting his petition for reinstatement on Jan. 23, 2026. The court's order allows O'Brien to resume practicing law in Maryland after a period of suspension or disbarment.

•Maryland Supreme Court granted Brendan O'Brien's petition for bar reinstatement on Jan. 23, 2026

•Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader signed the order allowing O'Brien to resume practicing law

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

7th Circuit Reviews Bivens Claims in Federal Prison Assault Case

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals considered whether federal prison officials at FCC Terre Haute can be held liable under Bivens for allegedly failing to protect an inmate from repeated cellmate attacks. Derek Thomas sued officials claiming Eighth Amendment violations for deliberate indifference to his safety and medical needs.

•Derek Thomas sued federal prison officials under Bivens claiming Eighth Amendment violations for failure to protect him from cellmate attacks at FCC Terre Haute

•The Seventh Circuit acknowledged disturbing evidence of brutal attacks but focused on whether Thomas's claims fit within established Bivens doctrine

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 23, 2026•5 min read

9th Circuit Upholds Prison Officials' Summary Judgment in Suicide Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's summary judgment ruling in favor of three Salinas Valley State Prison officials in a civil rights lawsuit filed by inmate Kevin Moore regarding his July 2020 suicide attempt.

•Ninth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for three Salinas Valley State Prison officials in Section 1983 lawsuit

•Inmate Kevin Moore alleged Eighth Amendment deliberate indifference related to July 2020 suicide attempt

•Vermont Supreme Court reversed trial court ruling that awarded plaintiffs 5/6 interest in family lakeside property

Supreme Court of Vermont

Vermont Supreme Court Reverses Property Ruling in Family Deed Dispute

The Vermont Supreme Court reversed a trial court decision in a complex family property dispute, ruling that a 1958 deed created a tenancy in common rather than a joint tenancy with right of survivorship. The case involved extended family members fighting over ownership interests in lakeside property.

•Court held that 1958 deed created tenancy in common, not joint tenancy with right of survivorship