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Federal Circuit

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

3rd Circuit Upholds Dismissal of COVID Nursing Home Deaths Lawsuit

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court's dismissal of a lawsuit against New Jersey Governor Philip Murphy and Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli over COVID-19 nursing home deaths. The estates of three deceased nursing home residents had sued the officials individually, claiming their policies led to approximately 10,000 elderly deaths during the pandemic.

•Third Circuit affirmed dismissal of lawsuit against New Jersey officials over 10,000 nursing home deaths during COVID-19

•Court ruled Governor Murphy and Health Commissioner Persichilli protected by qualified immunity

Court of Appeals of Maryland

Jan 23, 2026•2 min read

Maryland Supreme Court Dismisses Certiorari Petition in Attorney Fee Dispute

The Supreme Court of Maryland dismissed a writ of certiorari on January 23, 2026, in the case of Joseph Basso v. Jose Rodriguez, et al., by majority decision. The dismissal was procedural, resulting from the petitioner's failure to timely file briefs in a case involving attorney's fees under Maryland Rule 1-341 and contingency fee agreements.

•Writ of certiorari dismissed by majority decision of Maryland's highest court

•Case involved attorney's fees dispute under Maryland Rule 1-341 and contingency fee agreements

Federal Circuit

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Affirms Dismissal in Parent's Suit Against Arizona School

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's dismissal of multiple claims brought by Kimberly Sweidy against Spring Ridge Academy and eight employees. The unpublished decision upheld rulings on motions to strike and denial of amendment requests in the case involving Sweidy's daughter's enrollment at the Arizona boarding school.

•Ninth Circuit affirmed district court dismissal of seven claims against Arizona boarding school

•Court upheld rulings striking plaintiff's evidence submissions and denying amendment requests

•Alaska Supreme Court addressed novel questions about mandatory arbitration of attorney's fee disputes on January 23, 2026

Alaska Supreme Court

Alaska Supreme Court Rules on Attorney Fee Dispute in Native Allotment Case

The Alaska Supreme Court issued a decision on January 23, 2026, in Leroy Oenga, Jr. v. Maria M. Givens, addressing novel questions about mandatory arbitration of attorney's fees in a case involving an Alaska Native allotment and federal government litigation.

•Case involved Alaska Native allotment heirs and successful federal government lawsuit over oil and gas mismanagement

•Wyoming Supreme Court affirmed summary judgment favoring Big Horn Glass against Sletten Construction's third-party claims

Wyoming Supreme Court

Wyoming Supreme Court Affirms Summary Judgment in Construction Dispute

The Wyoming Supreme Court affirmed a district court's summary judgment ruling in favor of Big Horn Glass, Inc. against Sletten Construction of Wyoming, Inc. in a third-party liability dispute involving a firearms manufacturing facility construction project in Cody, Wyoming.

•Dispute arose from construction of firearms manufacturing facility for Gunwerks in Cody, Wyoming

•Wyoming Supreme Court affirmed methamphetamine possession conviction after rejecting search warrant challenge

Wyoming Supreme Court

Wyoming Supreme Court Affirms Drug Conviction Despite Search Challenge

The Wyoming Supreme Court affirmed Chad Everette Urrutia's methamphetamine possession conviction, rejecting his argument that law enforcement omitted material facts from a search warrant affidavit. The court found no error in the district court's denial of his motion to suppress evidence found in his bedroom.

•Defendant argued law enforcement omitted material facts from warrant affidavit that would have undermined probable cause

•Iowa Supreme Court unanimously affirmed dismissal of wrongful death claims against Oakland Manor nursing facility

Supreme Court of Iowa

Iowa Supreme Court Upholds COVID-19 Immunity Law in Nursing Home Death Case

The Iowa Supreme Court unanimously affirmed the dismissal of wrongful death claims against Oakland Manor nursing facility, clarifying the scope of COVID-19 liability protections for healthcare providers. The ruling addresses the balance between facility immunity and patient safety during the pandemic.

•Case provides first major interpretation of Iowa's COVID-19 Response and Back-to-Business Limited Liability Act

Federal Circuit

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

Second Circuit Affirms Insurance Ruling in Bunnenberg v. Liberty Mutual

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed a lower court judgment favoring Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company in a case involving plaintiff Tara Bunnenberg. The three-judge panel issued a summary order on January 23, 2026, concluding an appeal that stemmed from a 2011 incident involving insured party Lauren McCormack.

•Second Circuit affirmed district court judgment favoring Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company

•Case involved insurance coverage dispute stemming from 2011 incident between Tara Bunnenberg and insured party Lauren McCormack

Court of Appeals of Maryland

Maryland Supreme Court Reinstates Attorney Robert Paul Pratz to State Bar

The Maryland Supreme Court granted attorney Robert Paul Pratz's petition for reinstatement to the Maryland Bar on Jan. 23, 2026. The order, signed by Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader, restores Pratz's ability to practice law in the state following a period of suspension or disbarment.

•Robert Paul Pratz successfully petitioned the Maryland Supreme Court for reinstatement to the state bar

•The court granted the petition on Jan. 23, 2026, with Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader signing the order