Verdict . News

Jan 6, 2026•4 min read

•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

Jan 5, 2026•4 min read

•Ninth Circuit affirmed Walker Specialty Construction's exemption from pension withdrawal liability

9th Circuit Affirms Construction Firm Win in Pension Withdrawal Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's summary judgment ruling favoring Walker Specialty Construction, Inc. in a dispute over withdrawal liability under federal pension law. The appeals court held that the company's asbestos abatement work qualified it for an exemption from pension plan withdrawal liability.

•Court ruled asbestos abatement work qualifies for building and construction industry exemption under MPPAA

Jan 5, 2026•4 min read

•Broad coalition of federal employee unions, environmental groups, and major cities challenges Trump administration policies in Ninth Circuit

Federal Employee Unions Challenge Trump Administration in 9th Circuit

A broad coalition of federal employee unions, environmental groups, and major cities has filed an appeal in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals challenging Trump administration policies. The case includes challenges to actions by President Trump, the Office of Management and Budget, and the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency.

•Case targets President Trump, OMB Director Russell Vought, and the new Department of Government Efficiency led by Elon Musk

Jan 2, 2026•2 min read

•Ninth Circuit affirmed qualified immunity for Las Vegas police officers in fatal shooting of Keith Childress

9th Circuit Upholds Police Immunity in Fatal Vegas Shooting Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officers in a deadly force case involving Keith Childress, whom officers mistakenly believed was armed. The court upheld qualified immunity protections for the officers despite the fatal encounter.

•Officers mistakenly believed Childress was armed when they opened fire in two volleys

Jan 2, 2026•4 min read

•Jury found six works including tattoo and sketch were not substantially similar to copyrighted photograph

9th Circuit Affirms Kat Von D Victory in Miles Davis Photo Copyright Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court ruling in favor of celebrity tattoo artist Katherine Von Drachenberg (Kat Von D) in a copyright infringement dispute. Photographer Jeffrey Sedlik sued over alleged copying of his Miles Davis photograph in tattoos and social media posts.

•Four social media 'Process Images' were deemed fair use despite substantial similarity

Jan 2, 2026•2 min read

•Ninth Circuit granted Attorney General Bondi's petition for panel rehearing in immigration credibility case

9th Circuit Orders New Credibility Review for Asylum Seekers

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit granted Attorney General Pamela Bondi's petition for panel rehearing in *Kaur v. Bondi*, finding that adverse credibility determinations against asylum seekers lacked substantial evidence. The court ordered immigration authorities to conduct a new credibility review on an open record.

•Court found adverse credibility determinations against asylum seekers lacked substantial evidence support

Jan 2, 2026•2 min read

•Federal prisoner Julian Walker lost his pro se appeal challenging BOP's earned time credit policies under the First Step Act

9th Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Prisoner's First Step Act Challenge

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed a lower court's dismissal of federal prisoner Julian Walker's habeas corpus petition challenging the Bureau of Prisons' implementation of earned time credits under the First Step Act. Walker, representing himself pro se, argued the BOP violated the 2018 law by restricting credits to low-risk inmates and improperly banking his credits.

•Ninth Circuit affirmed district court dismissal, finding the First Step Act limits earned time credits to specific prisoner categories

Jan 2, 2026•4 min read

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

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.

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

Jan 2, 2026•4 min read

•Ninth Circuit affirmed dismissal of constitutional challenge to FHFA funding mechanism

9th Circuit Upholds FHFA Funding Against Constitutional Challenge

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed dismissal of a lawsuit by multiple investment trusts challenging the Federal Housing Finance Agency's funding mechanism. The trusts, represented by trustee Eddie Haddad, argued the FHFA's funding structure under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act violates constitutional principles.

•Investment trusts sought to prevent foreclosure by attacking agency's constitutional authority