Verdict . News

•Ninth Circuit granted Samuel Avila-Morales' petition for review and remanded case to BIA

9th Circuit Grants Immigration Petition, Applies Equitable Tolling

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals granted Samuel Avila-Morales' petition for review and remanded his case to the Board of Immigration Appeals, holding that equitable tolling applies to his motion to reopen removal proceedings. The court reversed the BIA's denial in a memorandum decision filed January 26, 2026.

•Court held that equitable tolling applies when extraordinary circumstances prevent timely filing and petitioner acts with due diligence

•Ninth Circuit issued memorandum decision in ERISA class action with 50+ plaintiffs challenging ILWU-PMA Welfare Plan benefit denials

9th Circuit Rules in ERISA Class Action Over Medical Benefits

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a memorandum decision in a class action lawsuit involving over 50 plaintiffs challenging the ILWU-PMA Welfare Plan's denial of medical benefits. The case centers on unpaid benefits for treatments received at the Advanced Pain Treatment Medical Center in San Pedro, California.

•Case involves unpaid benefits for medical treatments at Advanced Pain Treatment Medical Center in San Pedro, California

•Ninth Circuit affirmed denial of habeas corpus petition for death row inmate Rodney Gene Beeler

9th Circuit Affirms Death Sentence Despite Competency Claims

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court's denial of habeas corpus relief for death row inmate Rodney Gene Beeler, rejecting his challenges to his California murder conviction and death sentence based on mental competency issues. The court applied the highly deferential standard required under federal habeas review.

•Court rejected competency-related challenges to his first-degree murder conviction and death sentence

3w ago•5 min read

•Ninth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for three Salinas Valley State Prison officials in Section 1983 lawsuit

9th Circuit Upholds Prison Officials' Summary Judgment in Suicide Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's summary judgment ruling in favor of three Salinas Valley State Prison officials in a civil rights lawsuit filed by inmate Kevin Moore regarding his July 2020 suicide attempt.

•Inmate Kevin Moore alleged Eighth Amendment deliberate indifference related to July 2020 suicide attempt

•Ninth Circuit affirmed district court dismissal of seven claims against Arizona boarding school

9th Circuit Affirms Dismissal in Parent's Suit Against Arizona School

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's dismissal of multiple claims brought by Kimberly Sweidy against Spring Ridge Academy and eight employees. The unpublished decision upheld rulings on motions to strike and denial of amendment requests in the case involving Sweidy's daughter's enrollment at the Arizona boarding school.

•Court upheld rulings striking plaintiff's evidence submissions and denying amendment requests

•Garcia Rodriguez claimed his attorney failed to warn him about deportation consequences before his guilty plea

9th Circuit Affirms Denial of Conviction Challenge in Immigration Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's denial of Jose de Jesus Garcia Rodriguez's motion to vacate his criminal conviction. Garcia Rodriguez claimed his attorney provided ineffective assistance by failing to warn him about deportation consequences before he entered a guilty plea.

•The Ninth Circuit granted a certificate of appealability on the ineffective assistance issue

3w ago•2 min read

•Ninth Circuit reversed district court's summary judgment ruling, siding with KJ-Park LLC against Match Group

9th Circuit Reverses, Rules for KJ-Park in $7M Match Group Lease Dispute

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a district court ruling and sided with KJ-Park LLC in a commercial lease dispute with Match Group over a Palo Alto office building. The appellate court found issues with the lower court's summary judgment ruling that had favored Match Group in the nearly $7 million damages case.

•KJ-Park LLC sought nearly $7 million in damages claiming improper lease termination by Match Group

Jan 21, 2026•4 min read

•Ninth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for healthcare employer in COVID-19 vaccination religious accommodation case

9th Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment in COVID Vaccine Religious Exemption Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's grant of summary judgment against pro se plaintiff Marca Ouida, who sued her former employer Harbors Home Health & Hospice over allegations the company failed to accommodate her religious objections to COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

•Pro se plaintiff Marca Ouida sued Harbors Home Health & Hospice and five executives under Title VII and constitutional claims

Jan 21, 2026•4 min read

•Ninth Circuit denied petition for review by Salvadoran mother and minor son seeking asylum and immigration relief

9th Circuit Denies Asylum for Salvadoran Mother and Son

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has denied a petition for review filed by Veronica Aguilar-Aldana and her minor son from El Salvador, affirming lower court decisions that rejected their applications for asylum, withholding of removal, and Convention Against Torture relief.

•Court affirmed Board of Immigration Appeals dismissal under Matter of Burbano framework