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Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

7th Circuit Rules on Retirement Plan Beneficiary Dispute After Divorce

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit has issued a decision in a complex case involving retirement plan beneficiary rights after divorce. The case centers on Carl Kleinfeldt's attempt to remove his ex-wife Dena Langdon as beneficiary of his employer retirement plan following their September 2022 divorce, and the legal consequences when he died in January 2023 with the change request apparently unfulfilled.

•Carl Kleinfeldt attempted to remove his ex-wife as retirement plan beneficiary via fax after their divorce in September 2022

•Kleinfeldt died in January 2023 with Langdon still listed as the primary beneficiary on plan records

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

Second Circuit Rules on Foster Care Certification Challenge

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued a decision in *B.B. v. Hochul*, a class action lawsuit challenging New York's foster care certification system that prevented relatives from caring for children removed from their biological parents due to criminal history or abuse reports.

•Fourteen children challenged New York's foster care certification system that denied relatives the ability to care for them

•The Second Circuit Court of Appeals issued its decision on Feb. 2, 2026, after hearing oral arguments in December 2024

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

5th Circuit Reviews Pro Se Appeal in Trans Union Attorney Fees Case

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals is considering an appeal by pro se plaintiff Terrence M. Gore challenging a district court's order awarding attorney fees and costs to Trans Union LLC. Gore seeks to proceed in forma pauperis while appealing both the fee award and denial of his reconsideration motion.

•Pro se plaintiff Terrence Gore appeals district court's attorney fee award to Trans Union LLC

•Original lawsuit under Texas and federal credit reporting laws was dismissed as barred by res judicata

Federal Circuit Court of Appeals

Federal Circuit Affirms Trade Court in Mattress Antidumping Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a decision February 2, 2026, in a trade case involving the International Trade Commission's determination regarding antidumping and countervailing duties on mattresses from eight countries. The ruling affirmed a lower court decision sustaining the Commission's finding of material injury to the U.S. mattress industry.

•Federal Circuit affirmed Court of International Trade ruling sustaining ITC injury determination

•Case involves antidumping duties on mattresses from seven countries and countervailing duties on Chinese mattresses

Federal Circuit Court of Appeals

Amgen Voluntarily Dismisses Federal Appeal Against Colorado Drug Board

Pharmaceutical giant Amgen Inc. and its subsidiaries have voluntarily dismissed their Federal Circuit appeal challenging Colorado's Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board. The dismissal without prejudice allows Amgen to potentially refile the case in the future.

•Amgen and subsidiaries voluntarily dismissed their Federal Circuit appeal against Colorado's drug affordability board

•Dismissal without prejudice allows Amgen to potentially refile the challenge in the future

Federal Circuit Court of Appeals

Federal Circuit Affirms Non-Infringement Ruling in Exercise Equipment Patent Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed a district court's summary judgment of non-infringement in a design patent dispute between Range of Motion Products and Armaid Company. The case involved a patent for a body massaging apparatus, with Chief Judge Moore filing a dissenting opinion.

•Federal Circuit affirmed district court's summary judgment of non-infringement in favor of Armaid Company

•Case involved U.S. Design Patent No. D802,155 for a body massaging apparatus owned by Range of Motion Products

First Circuit Court of Appeals

First Circuit Affirms USPS Case Dismissal Over Witness Tampering

The First Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's dismissal of an employment case against the U.S. Postal Service after finding that plaintiff Orlando González Tomasini tampered with a witness on the eve of trial.

•First Circuit affirmed dismissal of employment case against USPS for witness tampering

•District court held three-day evidentiary hearing before finding misconduct occurred

First Circuit Court of Appeals

2w ago•2 min read

1st Circuit Reviews BlueRadios Malpractice Suit Against Patent Firm

The First Circuit Court of Appeals is reviewing a legal malpractice case brought by Colorado tech company BlueRadios against Massachusetts patent law firm Hamilton, Brook, Smith & Reynolds and several attorneys. The appeal challenges a district court ruling in what appears to involve allegations of conflicted representation.

•BlueRadios appeals district court ruling in malpractice case against Massachusetts patent firm HBSR

•Company alleges the law firm engaged in conflicted representation described as 'two-timing'

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

3rd Circuit Affirms Child Pornography Conviction in Kidnapping Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit rejected John Vincent Watson's appeal of his conviction on five counts of producing child pornography. Watson kidnapped a 14-year-old girl for three days and filmed sexual acts with her before she escaped and called police.

•Watson kidnapped a 14-year-old girl for three days and filmed sexual acts with her using his cellphone

•The Third Circuit rejected Watson's appeal challenging his conviction on five counts of producing child pornography