Verdict . News

Jan 21, 2026•4 min read

•Gaines robbed Wilmette bank by jumping over counter and stealing $7,900 in cash

Seventh Circuit Affirms 160-Month Sentence for Illinois Bank Robber

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit has affirmed a 160-month prison sentence for Reiquon Gaines, who pleaded guilty to robbing a Wilmette, Illinois bank of approximately $7,900 in January 2020.

•Led police on dangerous 61-mph chase with 3-year-old daughter in car after arrest attempt

Jan 21, 2026•4 min read

•Seventh Circuit partially reversed summary judgment, allowing product liability case to proceed to trial on independent brake theory

7th Circuit Reverses Summary Judgment in Toro Mower Amputation Case

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a district court's summary judgment ruling in favor of The Toro Company, allowing a product liability lawsuit to proceed to trial after Rebekah Hillman lost her left leg below the knee in a riding lawnmower accident. The appeals court found that expert testimony regarding the lack of an independent brake system creates genuine disputes of material fact.

•Rebekah Hillman lost her left leg below the knee in a Toro riding lawnmower accident

Jan 20, 2026•5 min read

•Seventh Circuit ruled in case involving stranger-owned life insurance investment between Fayez Dahleh and Minnesota Life Insurance Company

7th Circuit Rules on Life Insurance Investment Dispute

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit decided a case involving the controversial practice of investing in life insurance policies on strangers' lives. Fayez Dahleh appealed a lower court ruling in his dispute with Minnesota Life Insurance Company over a policy he purchased on Gilda Perlas, a person with whom he had no prior relationship.

•Dahleh purchased policy on Gilda Perlas despite having no prior relationship, which is legally permissible under established precedent

Jan 20, 2026•4 min read

•Seventh Circuit affirmed firearms conviction despite district court calling search a 'close call'

7th Circuit Affirms Gun Conviction Despite 'Close Call' Search Ruling

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the firearms conviction of Dazmine Erving, rejecting his appeal that police lacked reasonable suspicion for a vehicle search that uncovered a handgun. The district court had called the search a 'close call' but denied suppression.

•Police officer discovered handgun in vehicle parked at closed park at 2:45 a.m.

•Seventh Circuit reversed district court's preliminary injunction preventing Little Caesars from using "Pizza Puff" in marketing

7th Circuit Reverses Injunction Against Little Caesars in Pizza Puff Case

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a district court's preliminary injunction that would have prevented Little Caesars from using "Pizza Puff" in its marketing, finding Illinois Tamale Company failed to demonstrate likelihood of success on its trademark infringement claims.

•Court found Illinois Tamale Company failed to show likelihood of success on trademark infringement claims

•Seventh Circuit reversed district court's preliminary injunction preventing Little Caesars from using 'Pizza Puff' in marketing

7th Circuit Reverses Injunction in Pizza Puff Trademark Battle

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a district court's preliminary injunction preventing Little Caesars from using 'Pizza Puff' in its marketing, while affirming the denial of injunctions for 'Crazy Puff' and 'Puff.' Illinois Tamale Company had sued Little Caesars for trademark infringement over similar product names.

•Appeals court affirmed denial of injunctions for 'Crazy Puff' and 'Puff' terms

•Seventh Circuit reversed preliminary injunction preventing Little Caesars from using 'Pizza Puff' in advertising

7th Circuit Reverses Injunction Against Little Caesars in 'Pizza Puff' Case

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a district court's preliminary injunction that prevented Little Caesars from using 'Pizza Puff' in its advertising, while affirming the denial of injunctions against 'Crazy Puff' and 'Puff' terms. The Chicago-based Illinois Tamale Company had sued the pizza giant for trademark infringement over its 'Crazy Puffs' product.

•Court affirmed denial of injunctions against 'Crazy Puff' and 'Puff' terms

•Seventh Circuit reversed preliminary injunction against Little Caesars for 'Pizza Puff' term

7th Circuit Reverses Injunction Against Little Caesars in 'Pizza Puff' Case

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a district court's preliminary injunction against Little Caesars, ruling that Illinois Tamale Company failed to show sufficient likelihood of success in its trademark infringement claim over the term 'Pizza Puff.' The court affirmed denials of injunctions for 'Crazy Puff' and 'Puff.'

•Illinois Tamale Company failed to show sufficient likelihood of success on trademark infringement claims

Jan 15, 2026•4 min read

•Seventh Circuit affirmed dismissal of lawsuits over February 2018 'Volmageddon' trading losses

7th Circuit Affirms Dismissal of $200M 'Volmageddon' Lawsuit

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of lawsuits filed by LJM Partners and Two Roads Shared Trust against eight financial firms over massive losses during the February 5, 2018 market volatility spike. The court ruled the plaintiffs lacked standing and missed the statute of limitations deadline.

•LJM Partners lacked Article III standing to pursue manipulation claims