Verdict . News

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment for Ripple Labs in XRP Securities Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court's summary judgment ruling in favor of Ripple Labs in a federal securities class action lawsuit. The appellate court held that the three-year statute of repose under the Securities Act of 1933 bars the plaintiff's claims against the cryptocurrency company.

•Ninth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Ripple Labs in securities class action lawsuit

•Court ruled three-year statute of repose under Securities Act of 1933 bars plaintiff's claims

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

10th Circuit Enforces Appeal Waiver in Federal Sex Trafficking Case

The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals is addressing a government motion to enforce an appeal waiver in the case of Jackie Antonio Duncan, who received a 30-year sentence for child sex trafficking. Duncan pleaded guilty but now seeks to appeal despite waiving that right in his plea agreement.

•Duncan pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of children and received a 30-year sentence

•Government moved to enforce appeal waiver from Duncan's plea agreement

•Veteran filed FTCA negligence claim against VA after alleged neck injury during urological surgery

11th Circuit Dismisses Veteran's Medical Malpractice Suit Against VA

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit dismissed a Federal Tort Claims Act lawsuit filed by veteran Cassius Standifer Peak against the Department of Veterans Affairs. Peak alleged that VA medical staff negligently injured his neck during urological surgery while he was under anesthesia at the Atlanta VA Medical Center.

•District court dismissed lawsuit for missing six-month filing deadline after VA claim denial

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed revocation of supervised release for armed robbery allegations

11th Circuit Affirms Supervised Release Revocation for Armed Robbery

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit rejected an appeal by Emmannuel Rodole Francois challenging the revocation of his supervised release. Francois argued that the government failed to produce sufficient evidence of armed robbery and armed false imprisonment.

•Francois challenged both evidence sufficiency and confrontation rights violations

•11th Circuit granted en banc rehearing after majority of active judges voted in favor

11th Circuit Grants En Banc Rehearing in ESOP Class Action Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has granted a rare en banc rehearing in *Bolton v. Inland Fresh Seafood Corporation of America*, a class action lawsuit involving Employee Stock Ownership Plan participants. The full court's decision vacates the previous panel opinion.

•Previous three-judge panel opinion has been vacated pending full court review

First Circuit Court of Appeals

1st Circuit Affirms Boston Police Win in Retaliation Case

The First Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's summary judgment in favor of the Boston Police Department in a Title VII retaliation case brought by former officer Jane Doe. The appeals court agreed that no reasonable jury could find retaliation was the cause of BPD's actions in sharing disciplinary records.

•First Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Boston Police Department in Title VII retaliation case

•Court found no reasonable jury could conclude retaliation caused BPD's disclosure of disciplinary records

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment dismissing race discrimination and retaliation claims against Georgia Student Finance Commission

11th Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment Against Pro Se Plaintiff in GSFC Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed a district court's grant of summary judgment to the Georgia Student Finance Commission and a supervisor in a race discrimination and retaliation lawsuit brought by former employee Carolyn Wright.

•Pro se plaintiff Carolyn Wright unsuccessfully challenged district court's procedural rulings on fact statements and affidavits

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Rules in Lifestyle Communities v. Worthington Zoning Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a decision January 27 in Lifestyle Communities, Ltd. v. City of Worthington, Ohio, resolving a municipal zoning dispute between residential developers and the city. The case was recommended for publication, indicating its precedential value for future land use litigation.

•Sixth Circuit published decision in zoning dispute between developers and City of Worthington

•Case involved Lifestyle Communities and Worthington Campus LLC challenging municipal authority

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Issues Decision in Ohio's Lawsuit Against Major PBMs

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has issued a decision in a significant case brought by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost against major pharmacy benefit managers including Express Scripts, Cigna Group, and Evernorth Health. The case represents a major legal challenge to the practices of pharmaceutical middlemen that manage prescription drug benefits.

•Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost sued five major pharmacy benefit managers including Express Scripts, Cigna Group, and Evernorth Health

•The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals issued its decision on January 27, 2026, after oral arguments in December 2025