Verdict . News

•Fifth Circuit affirmed summary judgment dismissing age discrimination and retaliation claims against Harris Health System

5th Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Age Bias Claims Against Harris Health

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed summary judgment in favor of Harris Health System in an employment discrimination case. The court ruled that former chaplain Ayodeji Awe failed to establish a prima facie case for age discrimination under the ADEA and could not prove retaliation claims.

•Former chaplain Ayodeji Awe failed to establish prima facie case under ADEA after being denied rehiring in 2021

•Fifth Circuit denied both panel and en banc rehearing in Johnson v. Guerrero involving Texas prison director

Fifth Circuit Denies En Banc Rehearing in Johnson Prison Rights Case

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals denied both panel rehearing and en banc rehearing petitions in Johnson v. Guerrero, rejecting a bid for full court review of a case involving Texas Department of Criminal Justice Director Eric Guerrero. The court polled its members, with nine judges voting against rehearing and seven in favor.

•Court split 9-7 against rehearing after polling full membership, with Judge Oldham not participating

•Wilson killed a man with a modified handgun after discovering he was sold a fake firearm

5th Circuit Upholds Sentence for Modified Gun Killing After Fake Sale

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the federal sentence of Jamaion Wilson, who killed a man with a modified handgun after discovering he had been sold a fake firearm. Wilson pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a machinegun under federal law.

•The weapon was equipped with a "Glock switch" that converted it to fire like a machinegun

•Fifth Circuit reviews copyright dispute over 'Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love)' between Vetter and Resnik parties

5th Circuit Hears Copyright Fight Over 'Double Shot' Song Rights

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals is reviewing a copyright ownership dispute between Cyril E. Vetter and Robert Resnik over the classic song 'Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love)'. The case involves competing claims to worldwide copyright ownership of the recording.

•Vetter co-wrote the song, later recaptured rights after terminating publisher assignment

•Fifth Circuit affirmed two-level sentencing enhancement for distribution of child exploitation material

5th Circuit Affirms Sentencing Enhancement in Child Coercion Case

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a two-level sentencing enhancement for Bailey Warren Lowe, who was convicted of coercing a 13-year-old to send intimate images. The court rejected Lowe's argument that his conduct constituted mere solicitation, finding he actively participated in distribution through threats and specific demands.

•Court rejected defendant's argument that his conduct constituted 'mere solicitation'

Federal Circuit Court of Appeals

Federal Circuit Upholds Navy Employee's Firing for Phone Security Breach

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the termination of Navy Department employee Patrick J. Madigan on Jan. 12, 2026, after he was fired for using his government cellphone in a secure area and for improper personal use. The court upheld the Merit Systems Protection Board's ruling supporting the Navy's disciplinary action.

•Federal Circuit affirmed Navy employee's termination for cellphone misuse in secure facility

•Patrick J. Madigan challenged firing through Merit Systems Protection Board appeals process

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Rules on Nevada HOA Superpriority Lien vs. Mortgage Rights

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a memorandum decision in Carrington Mortgage Services v. Saticoy Bay LLC addressing Nevada's HOA superpriority lien statute. The case involves the extraordinary power Nevada grants homeowners' associations to extinguish mortgage liens through foreclosure when homeowners default on association dues.

•Ninth Circuit ruled on Nevada's HOA superpriority lien statute that can extinguish mortgage liens

•Case involves Carrington Mortgage Services challenging HOA foreclosure powers against mortgage rights

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Affirms UPS Win in Female Workers' Discrimination Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's summary judgment ruling in favor of United Parcel Service in a sex discrimination lawsuit filed by three female employees. The workers had alleged workplace gender discrimination under federal and state civil rights laws.

•Three female UPS employees lost their sex discrimination appeal in the Ninth Circuit

•The case involved claims under Title VII, California's Fair Employment and Housing Act, and federal and state equal pay laws

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Reverses Nevada Court in Hotel Finance Dispute

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a Nevada district court's summary judgment ruling in a complex financing dispute between lenders over a failed Reno hotel renovation project. The appeals court found errors in the lower court's interpretation of title insurance proceeds distribution and damages award.

•Ninth Circuit reversed Nevada district court's summary judgment ruling favoring senior lender Hall CA-NV over title insurance proceeds

•Appeals court found errors in contract interpretation regarding parties' intent in commercial financing agreement