Verdict . News

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fourth Circuit Denies Immigration Appeal for El Salvador Native

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit denied a petition for review filed by Maria Cortez Pineda, an El Salvador native seeking asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture. Eight major immigration advocacy organizations supported the unsuccessful appeal against Attorney General Pamela Bondi.

•Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals denied petition for review in immigration case involving El Salvador native Maria Cortez Pineda

•Eight prominent immigration rights organizations filed amicus briefs supporting the unsuccessful appeal

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fourth Circuit Affirms Hobbs Act Robbery Conviction for Larry Pyos Jr.

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed the conviction of Larry Pyos Jr. on multiple federal robbery and firearm charges in an unpublished per curiam decision. The case originated from a 2016 jury conviction in the Eastern District of Virginia involving conspiracy and multiple counts of Hobbs Act robbery.

•Fourth Circuit unanimously affirmed conviction in unpublished per curiam opinion filed Feb. 4, 2026

•Original 2016 conviction included 20 federal charges ranging from Hobbs Act robbery to felon in possession of firearm

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Upholds Maritime Drug Conviction Despite Delayed Appearance

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed Franklin Dominguez's Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act conviction for cocaine smuggling in Caribbean waters. The appeals court rejected his arguments that a 24-day delay before his initial court appearance and constitutional challenges warranted dismissal of the charges.

•Franklin Dominguez's Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act conviction for cocaine smuggling was affirmed by the Eleventh Circuit

•The court rejected his challenge based on a 24-day delay before his initial court appearance

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Reverses Dismissal of Inmate's ADA Lawsuit Against Nurse

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit reversed a district court's dismissal of an inmate's lawsuit against a prison nurse for alleged medical negligence and Americans with Disabilities Act violations. The appeals court found the lower court erred in dismissing the case under the Prison Litigation Reform Act.

•Eleventh Circuit reversed district court's dismissal of wheelchair-bound inmate's lawsuit against prison nurse

•Case involves denial of lapboard accommodation and alleged deliberate indifference to medical needs

•Federal Circuit vacated Veterans Court decision dismissing Marine veteran's petition for VA action

Federal Circuit Vacates Veterans Court in Hamill Benefits Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit vacated and remanded a Veterans Court decision that dismissed Marine veteran David Hamill's petition for extraordinary relief to compel the VA to adjudicate his character of discharge determination.

•Case involves veteran David Hamill seeking character of discharge determination after 'Other Than Honorable' discharge

•Federal Circuit affirmed AeroVironment's immunity from patent infringement under government contractor provisions

Federal Circuit Affirms AeroVironment Win in Patent Dispute

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed a district court ruling that defense contractor AeroVironment, Inc. cannot be held liable for patent infringement under federal government immunity provisions. The court also upheld the denial of attorney fees to AeroVironment in the dispute with inventors Paul and David Arlton.

•Court upheld denial of attorney fees to AeroVironment despite its victory on the merits

2w ago•5 min read

•Federal Circuit vacated Court of Federal Claims' denial of EAJA attorney fees in class action against government

Federal Circuit Vacates EAJA Fee Denial in Kandel Class Action

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit vacated a lower court's denial of attorney fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act in Kandel v. United States, directing the Court of Federal Claims to examine whether the government's pre-litigation conduct was substantially justified. The decision involves a class action that originated in 2006 and centers on disputes under the Lump Sum Act.

•Court directed lower tribunal to examine whether government's pre-suit conduct was substantially justified

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

2nd Circuit Affirms District Court in Chalpin v. Marcus & Millichap Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed a lower court ruling in a commercial real estate dispute between Chalpin Realty SC, LLC and Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services Inc. The appellate court issued a summary order on Feb. 4, 2026, upholding the district court's February 2025 decision.

•Second Circuit affirmed district court ruling in favor of Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services

•Court issued non-precedential summary order that limits future citation authority

•Federal Circuit affirmed lower court's denial of government motion to dismiss

Federal Circuit Affirms Lower Court in Restaurant Relief Fund Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed a lower court decision allowing over 300 restaurants and businesses to proceed with their lawsuit seeking unpaid grants from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The court rejected the government's motion to dismiss the case for lack of jurisdiction.

•Over 300 restaurants and businesses are suing for unpaid RRF grant applications