Verdict . News

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 5, 2026•4 min read

11th Circuit Reverses District Court in Qualified Immunity Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit reversed a district court's denial of a qualified immunity motion, ruling the lower court erred by calling the motion 'premature' before discovery was complete.

•Eleventh Circuit reversed district court's denial of qualified immunity motion as 'premature'

•Court held that qualified immunity claims must be ruled on promptly, not deferred until after discovery

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 5, 2026•4 min read

11th Circuit Denies Colombian Asylum Seeker's Immigration Appeal

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit denied Ginna Alejandra Gutierrez-Mikan's petition for review of an immigration judge's decision rejecting her asylum application. The Colombian national and her son had sought protection from persecution by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia after refusing to pay extortion money.

•Eleventh Circuit denied Colombian national's asylum petition in case involving FARC persecution

•Gutierrez-Mikan and her son sought protection after refusing to pay extortion to guerrilla forces

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 5, 2026•4 min read

11th Circuit Denies Compassionate Release for Ponzi Scheme Defendant

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has affirmed the denial of a compassionate release motion for Karamchand Doobay, who is serving a 151-month sentence for defrauding investors of more than $8 million through a Ponzi scheme. The court held that his family circumstances do not constitute the extraordinary and compelling reasons required for early release.

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed denial of compassionate release for Ponzi scheme defendant serving 151-month sentence

•Karamchand Doobay defrauded 84 investors of over $8 million through fraudulent investment scheme in Florida

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Reviews Missouri Sex Offender Halloween Sign Law After District Court Ban

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals is reviewing a district court ruling that permanently enjoined enforcement of a Missouri law requiring registered sex offenders to post Halloween signs. Thomas Sanderson successfully challenged the statute on First Amendment grounds.

•Federal district court ruled Missouri's Halloween sign law for sex offenders violates First Amendment

•Thomas Sanderson successfully challenged requirement to post "No candy or treats" signs

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 2, 2026•2 min read

4th Circuit Affirms WARN Act Victory Against Mining Companies

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit unanimously affirmed a jury verdict finding five West Virginia coal mining companies liable under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act for failing to provide proper notice before terminating employees. The January 2, 2026 decision upholds workers' rights protections in a class action lawsuit led by Jules Gautier.

•Fourth Circuit unanimously affirmed jury verdict against five coal mining companies for WARN Act violations

•Companies failed to provide required 60-day notice before terminating employees in West Virginia

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 2, 2026•2 min read

4th Circuit Affirms Gun Conviction After Mental Health Commitment

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed James Gould's federal firearms conviction, rejecting his Second Amendment challenge to laws prohibiting gun possession by those previously committed to mental institutions. The published decision concluded a case that began when police found Gould with a shotgun in his West Virginia home.

•Fourth Circuit affirmed James Gould's conviction for illegal gun possession after mental health commitment

•Court rejected Second Amendment challenge to federal law prohibiting firearm possession by those involuntarily committed

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Affirms Paramount Victory in 'Top Gun: Maverick' Copyright Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court ruling favoring Paramount Pictures in a copyright lawsuit over 'Top Gun: Maverick.' The heirs of journalist Ehud Yonay claimed the 2022 sequel infringed their copyright in his 1983 magazine article that inspired the original film.

•Ninth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Paramount Pictures in copyright dispute over 'Top Gun: Maverick'

•Court found sequel did not share substantial amounts of original expression from 1983 'Top Guns' magazine article

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit Hears Appeal in New Orleans Archdiocese Bankruptcy Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit is hearing an appeal from Richard C. Trahant challenging decisions in the Roman Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of New Orleans bankruptcy case. The appeal involves disputes over confidential information regarding sexual abuse allegations and represents a significant development in one of the most closely watched Catholic Church bankruptcy proceedings.

•Richard C. Trahant filed an appeal with the Fifth Circuit challenging decisions in the New Orleans Archdiocese bankruptcy case

•The dispute involves confidential information about sexual abuse allegations that Trahant obtained while representing alleged victims

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

5th Circuit Denies Asylum Appeal Under New AG Bondi

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals denied an asylum petition by Luz Ilvea Garcia-Manzanares, a Salvadoran national, in one of the first immigration cases filed under newly confirmed Attorney General Pamela Bondi. The court upheld the Board of Immigration Appeals' dismissal of her claims for asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture.

•Fifth Circuit denied asylum petition by Salvadoran national Luz Ilvea Garcia-Manzanares

•Case represents early immigration decision under newly confirmed Attorney General Pamela Bondi