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Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Rules in Niblock v. University of Kentucky Class Action

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a ruling Monday in the class action case Elizabeth Niblock v. University of Kentucky, following oral arguments in December. The decision, recommended for publication, affects the university and a class of similarly situated plaintiffs in a case that has been litigated since 2019.

•Sixth Circuit issued published decision in multi-year class action against University of Kentucky

•Case involves class representatives bringing claims on behalf of similarly situated individuals

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

7th Circuit Affirms Gun Conviction Despite 'Close Call' Search Ruling

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the firearms conviction of Dazmine Erving, rejecting his appeal that police lacked reasonable suspicion for a vehicle search that uncovered a handgun. The district court had called the search a 'close call' but denied suppression.

•Seventh Circuit affirmed firearms conviction despite district court calling search a 'close call'

•Police officer discovered handgun in vehicle parked at closed park at 2:45 a.m.

•Fourth Circuit unanimously reversed district court ruling favoring Under Armour in insurance coverage dispute

4th Circuit Reverses District Court in Under Armour Insurance Dispute

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court ruling in a major insurance coverage dispute involving Under Armour and nine insurance companies. The January 20, 2026 decision represents a significant victory for the insurance consortium in the ongoing coverage battle.

•Nine major insurance companies successfully appealed the lower court decision

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 20, 2026•5 min read

7th Circuit Rules on Life Insurance Investment Dispute

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit decided a case involving the controversial practice of investing in life insurance policies on strangers' lives. Fayez Dahleh appealed a lower court ruling in his dispute with Minnesota Life Insurance Company over a policy he purchased on Gilda Perlas, a person with whom he had no prior relationship.

•Seventh Circuit ruled in case involving stranger-owned life insurance investment between Fayez Dahleh and Minnesota Life Insurance Company

•Dahleh purchased policy on Gilda Perlas despite having no prior relationship, which is legally permissible under established precedent

•Fourth Circuit consolidates two appeals (No. 24-1799 and 24-1827) challenging Maryland gun control laws

Fourth Circuit Reviews Maryland Gun Control Laws in Consolidated Cases

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is hearing consolidated appeals challenging Maryland's gun control laws, with multiple gun rights organizations and individuals seeking to overturn state firearms regulations enforced by Governor Wes Moore and other officials.

•Multiple gun rights organizations and individuals sue Governor Wes Moore and other state officials

•Fourth Circuit reviewing consolidated cases challenging Maryland gun control laws

Fourth Circuit Hears Gun Rights Challenge to Maryland Laws

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is reviewing consolidated cases challenging Maryland's gun control laws, with gun rights organizations and individual plaintiffs arguing against Governor Wes Moore and state officials. Major gun control advocacy groups and 16 states have filed amicus briefs supporting Maryland's position.

•Gun rights groups including Maryland State Rifle and Pistol Association oppose Governor Wes Moore and state officials

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

2nd Circuit Affirms Conviction in Child Exploitation Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the conviction and sentence of David C. Lettieri on charges of attempting to persuade a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity. The three-judge panel issued a non-precedential summary order on Jan. 20, 2026.

•Second Circuit affirmed conviction for attempting to persuade minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity

•Three-judge panel issued non-precedential summary order on Jan. 20, 2026

•Two consolidated cases challenge Maryland's gun control laws on Second Amendment grounds in the Fourth Circuit

4th Circuit Hears Gun Rights Challenge to Maryland Firearms Laws

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is hearing consolidated appeals challenging Maryland's gun control laws on Second Amendment grounds. Gun rights advocates, including the Maryland State Rifle and Pistol Association, are appealing lower court rulings that upheld the state's firearms restrictions.

•Gun rights groups including Maryland State Rifle and Pistol Association are appealing lower court decisions

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Denies Qualified Immunity for Washington Health Officials

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's denial of qualified immunity for three Washington Department of Health officials accused of terminating an employee in retaliation for protected First Amendment speech. The ruling allows Erika Henry's federal civil rights lawsuit to proceed against officials Umair Shah, Jessica Todorovich, and Roy Calica.

•Ninth Circuit affirmed denial of qualified immunity for three Washington Department of Health officials in First Amendment retaliation case

•Erika Henry alleges her termination violated her constitutional right to free speech