Verdict . News

Jan 23, 2026•5 min read

•The First Circuit affirmed denial of preliminary injunctive relief against the Woods Hole ferry authority's COVID-19 vaccination policy

First Circuit Affirms Denial of Injunction Against Ferry COVID Vaccine Policy

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has affirmed a district court's denial of preliminary injunctive relief sought by eleven current and former employees of the Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority who challenged the agency's COVID-19 vaccination policy. This marks the second time the case has reached the federal appeals court.

•Eleven current and former ferry employees challenged the Authority's January 2022 vaccination requirement

•First Circuit affirmed concurrent 60-month sentences for re-entry program escape and felon in possession charges

1st Circuit Upholds 60-Month Sentence for Re-Entry Program Escape

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed a 60-month prison sentence for Christian Del-Valle-Camacho, who escaped from a court-ordered re-entry program and possessed firearms. The appeals court rejected his challenge to a 19-month upward sentencing variance.

•Appeals court rejected challenge to 19-month upward sentencing variance as both procedurally and substantively reasonable

•First Circuit affirmed summary judgment for MGH doctor and hospital in medical child abuse reporting case

1st Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment in Medical Child Abuse Case

The First Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's summary judgment ruling in favor of a Massachusetts General Hospital doctor and the hospital in a lawsuit filed by a mother who claimed wrongful reporting of suspected medical child abuse. The case involved a medically complex child whose treatment led to an unsubstantiated abuse investigation in 2018.

•Mother sued after 2018 child abuse report was deemed unsubstantiated following investigation

•First Circuit affirmed 96-month sentence for machine gun possession and felon-in-possession charges

First Circuit Affirms 8-Year Sentence for Machine Gun Possession

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed a 96-month federal prison sentence for Onic Maldonado-Velazquez, who was convicted of possessing machine guns and being a felon in possession of firearms. The defendant had challenged an 18-month upward variance from sentencing guidelines.

•Defendant unsuccessfully challenged 18-month upward variance from sentencing guidelines

•Clemente family companies and sons appeal district court ruling favoring Puerto Rico government

First Circuit Hears Clemente Family Appeal Against Puerto Rico Officials

The sons of baseball Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente and their companies have appealed to the First Circuit Court of Appeals, challenging Puerto Rico's use of their father's name and image on commemorative license plates. The case involves multiple government officials and concerns proceeds funding a sports district that will replace an initiative originally conceived by Clemente and his wife.

•Dispute involves unauthorized use of Roberto Clemente's name and image on commemorative license plates

Regulatory

•Supreme Court decided Bondi v. Vanderstok on March 26, 2025, addressing ATF regulation of ghost gun parts kits

Supreme Court Rules on Ghost Gun Regulations in Bondi v. Vanderstok

The Supreme Court issued a decision March 26, 2025, in *Bondi v. Vanderstok*, addressing whether unfinished firearm parts and weapon kits fall under federal gun control regulations. The case centers on the Gun Control Act of 1968's definition of 'firearm' and the ATF's 2022 rule covering partially complete frames and receivers.

•Case involves interpretation of Gun Control Act's definition of 'firearm' regarding unfinished weapon components

Supreme Court

Jan 23, 2026•5 min read

•Supreme Court clarified application of VA's 'benefit-of-the-doubt' rule for veterans' PTSD disability claims

Supreme Court Rules on VA 'Benefit-of-the-Doubt' Rule in PTSD Cases

The Supreme Court issued a decision March 5, 2025, in Bufkin v. Collins addressing how the Department of Veterans Affairs applies its 'benefit-of-the-doubt' rule when evaluating veterans' claims for PTSD-related disability benefits. The case involved two veterans challenging VA denials of their service-connected PTSD claims.

•Case involved two veterans who challenged VA denials of their service-connected PTSD benefit requests

Jan 23, 2026•2 min read

•Supreme Court has issued a preliminary ruling in City and County of San Francisco v. EPA, a major Clean Water Act case involving NPDES permit requirements

Supreme Court Issues Preliminary Ruling in San Francisco vs. EPA Clean Water Act Case

The Supreme Court has issued a preliminary ruling in City and County of San Francisco v. Environmental Protection Agency, a significant Clean Water Act case involving permit requirements under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. The preliminary decision addresses federal oversight of water pollution permits and could impact municipal wastewater management nationwide, though the ruling remains subject to revision before final publication.

•Case addresses federal oversight of water pollution permits and the permit shield provision that protects compliant entities

Supreme Court

•Supreme Court unanimously held that voluntary dismissals without prejudice constitute "final proceedings" under Rule 60(b)

Supreme Court Rules Dismissed Cases Can Be Reopened Under Rule 60(b)

The Supreme Court held that federal courts can reopen cases voluntarily dismissed without prejudice under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b). The unanimous decision in Waetzig v. Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. clarifies procedural rules for employment discrimination cases involving arbitration.

•Decision resolves circuit split over whether dismissed cases can be reopened for post-arbitration relief