Verdict . News

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 8, 2026•5 min read

9th Circuit Affirms Denial of Arbitration in Kelly Services UCL Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's partial denial of Kelly Services Global's motion to compel arbitration of claims brought under California's Unfair Competition Law. The ruling, issued January 8, 2026, represents a significant decision on the arbitrability of UCL claims.

•Ninth Circuit affirmed district court's partial denial of Kelly Services' motion to compel arbitration of UCL claims

•Court applied 'clear and unmistakable' evidence standard for delegation of arbitrability questions to arbitrators

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Upholds Conviction in Federal Racketeering Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has issued an unpublished opinion addressing Phillip Timothy Howard's appeal of his federal racketeering conviction and 168-month prison sentence. Howard challenged both his guilty plea and the sentence imposed by the Northern District of Florida.

•Eleventh Circuit reviewed Howard's appeal challenging racketeering conviction and 168-month sentence

•Howard argued his guilty plea lacked factual basis and was not knowing and voluntary

•Federal Circuit issued nonprecedential decision in patent dispute over camera-based parking management technology

Federal Circuit Rules in Indect v. Park Assist Patent Dispute

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a nonprecedential decision January 7, 2026, in a patent dispute between Indect USA Corp. and Park Assist, LLC over camera-based parking management technology. The case involved appeals from both parties following a district court ruling on patent infringement claims.

•Case involved mutual appeals after district court found no patent infringement by Indect USA Corp.

•Federal Circuit affirmed Claims Court dismissal for lack of jurisdiction

Federal Circuit Affirms Dismissal of VA Physician's Employment Dispute

The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's dismissal of a lawsuit filed by Dr. Angela Joseph against the United States for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction. The nonprecedential decision involves employment claims stemming from her 2018 termination as a VA physician.

•Case involves VA physician Dr. Angela Joseph representing herself pro se

•Federal Circuit affirmed denial of post-judgment interest, appellate expenses, and attorney's fees

Federal Circuit Denies Attorney Fee Recovery in Haggart v. US

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed a lower court decision denying Denise L. Woodley's requests for post-judgment interest, appellate expenses, and attorney's fees in a long-running government takings case. The nonprecedential ruling represents the latest chapter in litigation that began in 2009.

•Case stems from 2009 takings litigation involving property compensation settlement

•Federal Circuit affirmed Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals decision denying OSC Solutions' contract claim

Federal Circuit Affirms Navy Contract Decision in OSC Solutions Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a nonprecedential decision January 7, 2026, affirming the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals' denial of OSC Solutions' contract dispute claim against the Secretary of the Navy. The case involved a 2022 certified claim under the Contract Disputes Act seeking compensation for alleged breach of contract.

•Case involved 2019 Blanket Purchase Agreement for Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command services

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

Second Circuit Issues Summary Order in Mohamed v. Bondi Immigration Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued a summary order on January 7, 2026, in the immigration case Ali Abdou Mohamed v. Pamela Bondi. The three-judge panel addressed a petition for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals decision, though the full details of the court's ruling were not disclosed in the available documentation.

•Second Circuit issued summary order in Ali Abdou Mohamed v. Pamela Bondi immigration case on January 7, 2026

•Three-judge panel included Circuit Judges Richard J. Sullivan, William J. Nardini, and Eunice C. Lee

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

2nd Circuit Upholds FBAR Penalties Against Couple for Foreign Account

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed civil penalties against Juan and Catherine Reyes for failing to report their foreign bank account holdings. The January 2026 decision upholds summary judgment enforcing penalties under federal banking disclosure laws.

•Second Circuit affirmed civil penalties against couple for failing to file required foreign bank account reports

•Court held that 'willful' FBAR violations include reckless conduct, not just intentional violations

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

Third Circuit Affirms USCIS Denial of Naturalization for Diversity Visa Recipient

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed a lower court ruling that upheld USCIS's denial of naturalization for Ousmane Savane, a permanent resident since 2012 who entered through the Diversity Visa Program. The court found that material omissions on his initial immigrant visa application warranted the denial.

•Third Circuit affirmed USCIS denial of naturalization for permanent resident who made material omissions on original diversity visa application

•Court rejected appellant's argument that omissions were immaterial, upholding government's authority to deny citizenship based on prior application discrepancies