Verdict . News

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Reviews Sexual Harassment Case Against Telemundo Network

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has issued a ruling in *Matilde Santana v. Telemundo Network Group LLC*, addressing multiple appeals from district court decisions in an employment discrimination case. Santana challenged her former employer over alleged sexual harassment and retaliation claims under Title VII and Florida civil rights law.

•Former Telemundo employee Matilde Santana appealed multiple adverse district court rulings in her sexual harassment and retaliation case

•The lawsuit alleged unwanted physical contact and sexually charged comments from a supervisor, plus a sexualized workplace atmosphere

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Reviews Immigration Removal of Jamaican Wire Fraud Convict

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit is reviewing a petition by Odain Orlando Marsh, a Jamaican national, challenging his removal order after being convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The case centers on whether his conviction qualifies as an aggravated felony under immigration law.

•Jamaican national Odain Orlando Marsh challenges his removal order after wire fraud conspiracy conviction

•DHS classified his conviction as an aggravated felony because losses exceeded $10,000

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

3rd Circuit Affirms Dismissal in New Jersey Insurance License Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed a district court's dismissal of Zia Hassan Shaikh's lawsuit challenging the revocation of his New Jersey insurance and real estate licenses. The appeals court also upheld sanctions imposed on Shaikh for filing frivolous motions.

•Third Circuit affirmed district court dismissal of license revocation challenge

•Court upheld filing injunction against pro se plaintiff for frivolous motions

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

Second Circuit Affirms Dismissal in Employment Case vs Mount Sinai

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed a lower court's dismissal of an employment discrimination lawsuit brought by former Mount Sinai employee Abbelen Maxius. The summary order, issued Jan. 22, 2026, rejected Maxius's appeal in her case against the major New York healthcare system.

•Second Circuit affirmed district court dismissal of employment discrimination case against Mount Sinai Health Systems

•Plaintiff Abbelen Maxius alleged hostile work environment and disparate treatment by former employer

First Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 22, 2026•5 min read

First Circuit Denies Rehearing in MIT Free Speech and Title VI Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit denied both a petition for rehearing and a petition for rehearing en banc in StandWithUs Center for Legal Justice v. MIT, a case involving the intersection of First Amendment free speech rights and Title VI anti-discrimination protections.

•First Circuit denied rehearing petitions in StandWithUs v. MIT case involving First Amendment and Title VI intersection

•Judge Dunlap concurred but expressed concerns that the panel went further than necessary to resolve the dispute

First Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 22, 2026•2 min read

First Circuit Reviews VA Employee's False Claims Act Retaliation Suit

The First Circuit Court of Appeals is reviewing a district court's dismissal of a False Claims Act retaliation claim brought by federal employee Erik K. Sargent against Veterans Affairs Secretary Douglas Collins. The lower court dismissed the case for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction, ruling that Congress had not waived federal sovereign immunity for such claims.

•Erik K. Sargent, a federal VA employee, sued the VA Secretary claiming retaliation for reporting fraudulent activities

•District court dismissed the case, ruling Congress had not waived sovereign immunity for False Claims Act retaliation claims against the government

First Circuit Court of Appeals

1st Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Rockport Zoning Challenge

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed a district court's dismissal of a lawsuit brought by eleven Rockport, Massachusetts residents challenging the creation of a new zoning district. The appeals court agreed that the residents lacked standing to pursue their claims against the Town of Rockport.

•First Circuit affirmed dismissal of lawsuit by eleven Rockport residents challenging new zoning district

•Appeals court agreed residents lacked standing for their constitutional and statutory claims

Federal Circuit Court of Appeals

Federal Circuit Affirms MSPB Denial in Interior Whistleblower Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed a Merit Systems Protection Board decision denying corrective action in a whistleblower retaliation claim filed by Steven A. McKinnis against the Department of the Interior. McKinnis, an auditor who was terminated in 2018, alleged retaliation after reporting misconduct related to FMLA violations and travel regulations.

•Federal Circuit affirmed Merit Systems Protection Board denial of whistleblower retaliation claim

•Steven McKinnis was terminated from Interior Department in 2018 for performance issues

Federal Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 22, 2026•5 min read

Federal Circuit Reviews Veterans Preference Case in VA Chief of Staff Selection

Dr. Jeremy Conklin, a physician and preference-eligible veteran, has petitioned the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals to review a Merit Systems Protection Board decision regarding his unsuccessful application for Chief of Staff at a Veterans Health Administration regional system. The case involves questions of veterans preference in federal hiring practices.

•Dr. Conklin challenged VA's non-selection for VHA Chief of Staff position citing veterans' preference violations

•Merit Systems Protection Board dismissed his case, relying on Federal Circuit precedent from Scarnati v. VA