Verdict . News

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Sportsmen's Alliance Challenges CDC in Federal Appeals Court

The United States Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation has appealed a district court decision in their case against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Department of Health and Human Services. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments in December 2025 and issued its decision in February 2026.

•Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals issued published opinion in case challenging CDC and HHS actions

•United States Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation and individual plaintiffs appealed unfavorable district court ruling

First Circuit Court of Appeals

First Circuit Upholds Rhode Island Dam Water Flow Order Against Developer

The First Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's dismissal of federal constitutional claims brought by Soscia Holdings, LLC against Rhode Island's Department of Environmental Management over a 2022 dam water flow order. The appeals court rejected the company's Section 1983 civil rights lawsuit challenging state environmental officials' regulatory actions.

•First Circuit affirmed dismissal of Section 1983 civil rights lawsuit against Rhode Island environmental officials

•Case involved July 2022 order requiring dam operator to reduce water flow to maintain pond levels

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit Revives Models' Image Rights Case Against SC Nightclub

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated and remanded a district court's dismissal of a lawsuit by nine professional female models against Acuarius Night Club LLC. The models alleged the South Carolina nightclub misappropriated their social media images for promotional purposes without consent or compensation.

•Fourth Circuit unanimously vacated district court's dismissal of lawsuit by nine professional models against South Carolina nightclub

•Models alleged Acuarius Night Club misappropriated their social media images for promotional use without consent or compensation

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit: Child Gains Citizenship Despite Paternity Questions

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Mario Rene Lopez automatically became a U.S. citizen when his mother naturalized because his paternity had not been established by legitimation under a now-repealed federal statute. The court vacated the Board of Immigration Appeals decision and remanded the case with instructions.

•Fourth Circuit ruled Mario Lopez automatically became U.S. citizen when his mother naturalized

•Court found Lopez's paternity had not been established by legitimation under repealed 1952 statute

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

5th Circuit Vacates DEA Order Revoking Louisiana Pharmacy License

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit vacated a Drug Enforcement Administration order that revoked Neumann's Pharmacy's controlled substances registration, finding the agency improperly rewrote existing regulations while claiming to apply them.

•Fifth Circuit vacated DEA order revoking Neumann's Pharmacy's controlled substances registration

•Court found DEA improperly rewrote regulations while claiming to apply existing law

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Rules Against Angstrom in Eaton Clutch Parts Dispute

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a published decision in Eaton Corporation v. Angstrom Automotive Group, LLC, resolving a commercial dispute over defective automotive clutch components. The February 2026 ruling addresses contract law issues in the automotive manufacturing supply chain.

•Sixth Circuit issued published decision in commercial dispute between automotive clutch manufacturer and parts supplier

•Case involved defective levers supplied by Angstrom that caused failures in Eaton's clutch systems

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Issues Precedential Opinion in Green Criminal Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a recommended-for-publication opinion in United States v. Anita Green, a federal criminal case involving two defendants appealed from the Northern District of Ohio. The February 13, 2026 decision consolidates multiple appeal numbers and represents a significant development in federal criminal law.

•Sixth Circuit issued precedential opinion in federal criminal case involving two Ohio defendants

•Court consolidated multiple appeal numbers and recommended opinion for publication

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

7th Circuit Upholds School Employee Terminations Over COVID Testing Refusal

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Title VII claims brought by three Illinois school employees who were terminated after refusing both COVID-19 vaccination and weekly testing on religious grounds. The February 13, 2026 decision addresses religious accommodation requirements during pandemic health mandates.

•Three Illinois school employees were terminated after refusing both COVID-19 vaccination and weekly testing on religious grounds

•The Seventh Circuit affirmed dismissal of Title VII claims, finding insufficient identification of specific religious beliefs violated by testing

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

7th Circuit Affirms Mercedes Must Arbitrate 3G System Obsolescence Claims

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled that Mercedes-Benz owners must arbitrate their warranty claims over obsolete 3G wireless systems. The court affirmed a district court decision compelling arbitration in a class action lawsuit filed by customers seeking free replacement of outdated mbrace communication systems.

•Seventh Circuit compelled arbitration for Mercedes customers' 3G system obsolescence claims

•Plaintiffs sought free replacement of outdated mbrace communication systems under warranty