Verdict . News

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Affirms Jury Verdict for Graham County Sheriff in Custody Death Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has affirmed a jury verdict finding Graham County Sheriff PJ Allred not liable for the death of Jorden Simms, who died after jumping from a moving transport vehicle while in county custody. The appeals court rejected arguments that jury instructions were confusing regarding multiple defendants.

•Ninth Circuit affirmed jury verdict finding Graham County Sheriff not liable for custody death

•Jorden Simms died after jumping from moving transport vehicle while in county custody

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit Hears Gun Rights Challenge to Maryland Firearms Laws

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals is hearing consolidated appeals challenging Maryland's gun control laws. Gun rights organizations and individuals are contesting state firearms regulations, with Governor Wes Moore and other Maryland officials as defendants.

•Fourth Circuit hears consolidated appeals challenging Maryland gun control laws

•Two cases feature multiple gun rights organizations and individual plaintiffs

Jan 20, 2026•5 min read

•Eleventh Circuit dismissed immigration appeal by Guatemala and Mexico nationals seeking asylum relief

11th Circuit Denies Immigration Appeal in Suazo Cruz Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit dismissed an immigration appeal by married couple Tania Cesibel Suazo Cruz and Jaime Enrique Loera Montanez, who challenged the Board of Immigration Appeals' decision to deny their asylum claims. The court granted the government's motion for summary denial after finding no error in the BIA's dismissal of their untimely appeal.

•Court upheld BIA's finding that the couple's appeal was filed after the statutory 30-day deadline

•Eleventh Circuit dismissed Tyus's appeal for lack of jurisdiction due to pending co-plaintiff claims

11th Circuit Dismisses Gender Discrimination Appeal for Lack of Jurisdiction

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit dismissed an employment discrimination appeal by Darnetta Tyus against the City of College Park, Georgia, ruling it lacked jurisdiction because the district court's partial summary judgment order was not final and appealable.

•District court's partial summary judgment resolved Tyus's discrimination claims but left McCrary's claims pending

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment denying ERISA disability benefits to surgeon with career-ending tremor

11th Circuit Upholds ERISA Denial for Surgeon's Tremor Disability

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for ReliaStar Life Insurance Company, rejecting disability benefits claims from Dr. Alyosha Tunkle. The surgeon claimed his career was ended by a disabling tremor that prevented him from performing surgical procedures under his ERISA-covered insurance plan.

•Case centered on whether surgeon's condition was preexisting and whether he had temporarily lost coverage

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit Reviews DeSoto County Redistricting Mandamus Petition

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit is reviewing a petition for writ of mandamus filed by DeSoto County, Mississippi, and its election officials challenging a district court ruling in a voting rights case. The dispute centers on the county's 2022 redistricting map following the 2020 census.

•DeSoto County, Mississippi filed a mandamus petition with the Fifth Circuit challenging a district court's handling of a voting rights lawsuit

•The dispute involves the county's 2022 redistricting map completed after the 2020 census showed population growth

Jan 20, 2026•5 min read

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Morris-Shea Bridge Company in discrimination case brought by three brothers

11th Circuit Upholds Summary Judgment in Coleman Brothers' Discrimination Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed a district court's summary judgment ruling in favor of Morris-Shea Bridge Company in a discrimination lawsuit filed by three brothers who worked for the construction contractor.

•Brothers alleged race and age discrimination during their employment at the construction company

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

Third Circuit Affirms Fraud Convictions of Three DuBose Brothers

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed the criminal convictions of three brothers—Zumar, Abdush, and Kariem DuBose—for their roles in a fraud scheme targeting the United States Postal Service, United Parcel Service, and Citizens Bank. The January 20, 2026 decision rejected multiple appellate arguments from the defendants.

•Three brothers convicted of defrauding USPS, UPS, and Citizens Bank in coordinated scheme

•Third Circuit unanimously affirmed all convictions despite multiple appellate arguments

Federal Circuit Court of Appeals

Federal Circuit Rules in Barry v. DePuy Synthes Patent Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a decision January 20, 2026, in *Barry v. DePuy Synthes Companies*, a patent infringement case involving medical device technology. The case originated from a 2017 lawsuit in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

•Federal Circuit issued decision in patent infringement case involving medical device technology

•Case involved allegations that DePuy induced surgeons to infringe Barry's three patents