Verdict . News

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Reviews Preliminary Injunction in Financial Advisor Exodus Case

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals is reviewing a district court's preliminary injunction in a case involving the mass departure of financial advisors from Choreo, LLC to competitor Compound Planning. Twelve of thirteen advisors from Choreo's Des Moines branch left for the competing firm in early 2025, prompting litigation over restrictive covenants and alleged trade secret theft.

•Twelve of thirteen financial advisors left Choreo's Des Moines branch for competitor Compound Planning in early 2025

•District court granted sweeping preliminary injunction against former employees and their new employer

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Sixth Circuit Affirms Above-Guidelines Sentence in Federal Drug Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed an above-Guidelines sentence for Antonio McBride, who pleaded guilty to federal drug conspiracy charges involving fentanyl trafficking in Akron, Ohio.

•Antonio McBride pleaded guilty to federal drug conspiracy charges involving fentanyl trafficking in Akron, Ohio

•Northern District of Ohio imposed sentence above 46-57 month Guidelines range recommendation

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Affirms Drug Conspiracy Sentence for Kevin Valdez

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the conviction and sentence of Kevin Valdez, who was convicted as a high-level dealer in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy that imported narcotics from Puerto Rico to Florida through the U.S. Postal Service. Valdez challenged the district court's sentencing guidelines calculation, but the appeals court rejected his appeal.

•Kevin Valdez was convicted as a high-level dealer in a cocaine conspiracy importing drugs from Puerto Rico to Florida via U.S. mail

•The Eleventh Circuit affirmed his sentence and rejected his challenge to the district court's Guidelines calculation

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

Second Circuit Affirms District Court in United States v. Santiago

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed a lower court's judgment against defendant Jerrard Santiago in a criminal case. The three-judge panel issued a summary order on January 12, 2026, providing no precedential value under federal appellate rules.

•Second Circuit affirmed district court judgment in criminal case against Jerrard Santiago

•Three-judge panel issued non-precedential summary order on January 12, 2026

•Former Prudential employee Young Cho filed class action under ERISA alleging fiduciary duty breaches in 401(k) plan management

Third Circuit Hears ERISA Class Action Against Prudential Over 401(k) Plan

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals has received an appeal in a class action lawsuit filed by former Prudential employee Young Cho against Prudential Insurance Company of America and investment oversight officials. The case involves allegations of fiduciary duty breaches related to the management of Prudential's employee 401(k) savings plan.

•Multiple defendants include Prudential Insurance, Investment Oversight Committee members, and Bellwether Consulting

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

5th Circuit Affirms $4M Fraud Judgment Against Texas Oil Executive

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a $4 million fraud judgment against Juan Fernando Pastrana, who defrauded investors in a Texas oil recycling facility scheme. The appeals court upheld both the bankruptcy court's damages award and the district court's affirmance in the multi-million dollar case.

•Fifth Circuit affirmed $4 million fraud judgment against Juan Fernando Pastrana

•Case involved fraudulent oil recycling facility scheme in Harris County, Texas

•Third Circuit affirmed dismissal of discrimination lawsuit by former Pennsylvania narcotics agent Beverly Rivera

3rd Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Ex-Narcotics Agent's Bias Suit

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's dismissal of a discrimination lawsuit filed by Beverly Rivera, a former Pennsylvania narcotics agent. Rivera alleged hostile work environment and discriminatory termination against the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office.

•Rivera alleged hostile work environment and discriminatory termination based on race and ethnicity

•Third Circuit granted summary action in consolidated appeals involving $9 million judgment collection

3rd Circuit Grants Summary Action in $9M Judgment Collection Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit issued a non-precedential opinion granting summary action in consolidated appeals involving Mark Stiffler's challenge to preliminary injunctive relief. Rivertown TCI, L.P. seeks to collect on a state court judgment exceeding $9 million.

•Mark Stiffler unsuccessfully challenged preliminary injunctive relief granted to Rivertown TCI, L.P.

•Third Circuit rejected Penn faculty lawsuit seeking to block university document production to Congress

3rd Circuit Rejects Penn Faculty Suit Over Congressional Document Requests

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a lawsuit by University of Pennsylvania faculty members who sought to block the university from providing documents to Congress about campus antisemitism. The faculty argued the document production violated their civil rights.

•Faculty members feared congressional documents would increase negative publicity and harassment