Verdict . News

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

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

Federal Circuit Affirms Google Win in Patent Appeal Over Web Conferencing

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed a lower court's dismissal of patent infringement claims against Google LLC brought by US Patent No. 7,679,637 LLC. The case involved technology related to web conferencing systems with time-shifting capabilities.

•Federal Circuit affirmed dismissal of patent infringement case against Google for failure to state a valid claim

•Case involved U.S. Patent No. 7,679,637 covering web conferencing systems with time-shifting capabilities

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

3rd Circuit Vacates Cannabis Business Contract Ruling Over Federal Law

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a district court's summary judgment ruling in a cannabis industry dispute, ordering further review of whether the consulting contract violates federal law. The appellate court remanded the case involving Apical Biotek LLC and multiple Maitri entities back to the Western District of Pennsylvania.

•Third Circuit vacated district court summary judgment ruling due to unresolved federal law questions

•Case involves cannabis consulting contract between Apical Biotek and multiple Maitri cannabis companies

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

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

3rd Circuit Denies Asylum for Salvadoran Woman Fleeing MS-13 Violence

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed the denial of asylum for Erika Urquilla-Pereira, a Salvadoran citizen who sought protection from MS-13 gang violence. The court acknowledged MS-13's dangerous presence in El Salvador but found insufficient evidence of specific threats against the petitioner.

•Third Circuit affirmed denial of asylum for Salvadoran woman citing lack of evidence of specific MS-13 threats

•Court acknowledged MS-13's dangerous presence but required proof of individualized targeting

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Denies Habeas Appeal for Life-Sentenced Florida Prisoner

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the denial of a habeas corpus petition from Dwayne E. Sheppard, who is serving a life sentence for sexual battery with a deadly weapon. The court found that any Sixth Amendment violation in his 1985 conviction was harmless error.

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed denial of habeas corpus petition for prisoner serving life sentence for 1985 sexual battery conviction

•Court found any potential Sixth Amendment Apprendi violation was harmless error

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

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