Verdict . News

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Affirms Attorney's Fees Award in Trade Secret Case

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision to award reduced attorney's fees to Equity Resources, Inc. following its jury victory against T2 Financial, LLC d/b/a Revolution Mortgage in a trade secrets and business interference case. The appeals court rejected Revolution Mortgage's arguments challenging the fee award.

•Sixth Circuit affirmed attorney's fees award to Equity Resources after jury victory against Revolution Mortgage

•Original case involved allegations of trade secret theft and business interference in competitive mortgage lending market

•Pro se plaintiffs Desiree McGuire and daughter Cadence DeVault unsuccessfully challenged Roseville school district's COVID-19 mask requirements

9th Circuit Dismisses Challenge to School District's COVID Mask Policy

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed a lawsuit filed by a mother and daughter challenging the Roseville Joint Union High School District's face-covering requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic. The court issued a non-precedential memorandum decision on Jan. 6, 2026, upholding the district court's dismissal of the case.

•The Ninth Circuit issued a non-precedential memorandum decision affirming the district court's dismissal

•Ninth Circuit reversed dismissal with prejudice of pro se lawsuit for missing case management conference

9th Circuit Reverses Dismissal of Pro Se Lawsuit After Court Conference No-Show

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a district court's decision to dismiss a pro se lawsuit with prejudice after the plaintiff failed to appear at a case management conference. The appeals court found the terminating sanctions were an abuse of discretion.

•District court improperly reviewed magistrate's recommendation for clear error instead of conducting de novo review

•Ninth Circuit reversed district court's summary judgment in favor of ONHIR

9th Circuit Reverses Denial of Navajo Relocation Benefits to Harvey Yazzie

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed a lower court's decision and remanded a case involving Harvey Yazzie's challenge to the Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation's denial of benefits under the 1974 Navajo Hopi Land Settlement Act. The federal appeals court applied Administrative Procedure Act standards in reviewing the agency's determination.

•Harvey Yazzie challenged denial of relocation benefits under 1974 Settlement Act

•Ninth Circuit reversed district court's summary judgment favoring entertainment workers pension trust

9th Circuit Reverses District Court in Vegas Pension Liability Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a district court's summary judgment ruling in favor of an entertainment workers pension trust, handing a victory to Las Vegas casino operator JB Viva Vegas in a complex withdrawal liability dispute under federal pension law.

•Court held no minimum entertainment work threshold required under federal pension law exemption

•Ninth Circuit affirmed preliminary injunction protecting Union Gospel Mission from Washington state anti-discrimination law enforcement

9th Circuit Backs Religious Mission Against Washington Bias Laws

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a preliminary injunction protecting Union Gospel Mission of Yakima Washington from enforcement of state anti-discrimination laws. The court held that the faith-based organization can require employees to adhere to Christian beliefs in non-ministerial positions.

•Court held that Christian ministry can require employees in non-ministerial roles to adhere to religious beliefs

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Affirms Life Sentence Denial Under First Step Act

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed a district court's denial of a sentence reduction motion filed under the First Step Act of 2018. Zechariah Benjamin, serving a mandatory life sentence for crack cocaine distribution, was deemed eligible for resentencing but unsuccessful in obtaining relief.

•Benjamin was sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment in 2008 for crack cocaine distribution and conspiracy

•His sentence was enhanced due to at least two prior cocaine delivery convictions in Illinois

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

10th Circuit Issues Decision in NMSU Professor Termination Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit issued an order and judgment in Roemer v. Board of Regents of New Mexico State University, involving a tenured professor's termination and constitutional rights claims. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression participated as amicus curiae, indicating significant First Amendment implications.

•Tenured NMSU professor Gary Roemer sued university officials after his August 2021 termination

•The Tenth Circuit decided the appeal without oral argument, finding written briefs sufficient

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

10th Circuit Reviews False Advertising Case in Display Industry

The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion in Kesters Merchandising Display International v. SurfaceQuest, addressing false advertising claims under the Lanham Act involving alleged misuse of competitor photographs in marketing materials.

•Tenth Circuit ruled against Kesters Merchandising Display International in false advertising case

•Court found insufficient evidence to prove injury required for Lanham Act claims