Verdict . News

Oct 29, 2025•4 min read

•Minnesota Supreme Court rules employers have absolute immunity for unemployment benefits submissions

Minnesota Supreme Court Clarifies Employer Immunity in Unemployment Cases

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in *Thaleaha McBee v. Team Industries, Inc.* that employers receive absolute immunity from civil lawsuits for information they submit to state unemployment agencies. The October 29, 2025 decision interprets Minnesota's unemployment statute to provide broad protection for employer statements made during benefits determinations.

•Court interprets 'absolutely privileged' language in Minnesota Statutes section 268.19 to provide broad protection

•Teacher's knee injury during afterschool basketball practice covered by workers' compensation

Minnesota Supreme Court Affirms Workers' Comp for Teacher Injured in School Basketball

The Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed workers' compensation coverage for a Minneapolis middle school teacher who injured her knee while playing basketball with students during afterschool practice. The court ruled the injury occurred 'in the course of employment' despite happening during a recreational activity.

•Court ruled injury occurred 'in the course of employment' based on timing, location, and nature of activity

•Minnesota Supreme Court ruled on transgender powerlifter JayCee Cooper's discrimination challenge

Minnesota Supreme Court Issues Decision in Trans Powerlifter Discrimination Case

The Minnesota Supreme Court has ruled in JayCee Cooper v. USA Powerlifting, a closely watched case involving a transgender athlete's challenge to powerlifting competition exclusion policies. The case attracted extensive amicus support from civil rights groups and female athletes' organizations in the ongoing national debate over transgender sports participation.

•Case attracted amicus briefs from ACLU, female athletes' groups, and state attorney general

•District court incorrectly concluded it lacked jurisdiction over Riley's sentence correction motion

Minnesota Supreme Court Reverses District Court Dismissal of Life Sentence Challenge

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that a district court incorrectly dismissed Adrian Dominic Riley's motion to correct his mandatory life sentences, finding the lower court had jurisdiction to hear the challenge under state procedural rules.

•Supreme Court applied Reynolds v. State precedent regarding limitations periods for sentence challenges

•Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that corroboration of confidential informant tips must be considered in probable cause determinations but is not an independent requirement

Minnesota Supreme Court Strengthens Search Warrant Standards for Informants

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in *State of Minnesota v. Jennifer Lynn Nagle* that search warrants based on confidential informant tips must meet enhanced corroboration standards under the Fourth Amendment. The court reversed Nagle's conviction, finding the warrant lacked sufficient probable cause despite the informant's reliability.

•The court reversed Jennifer Lynn Nagle's conviction, finding the search warrant lacked sufficient probable cause despite informant reliability

•Minnesota Supreme Court reversed recall election for lacking required constitutional allegations

Minnesota Supreme Court Reverses City Council Recall Election

The Minnesota Supreme Court reversed a Columbia Heights city council recall election, ruling that the petition against Kay "KT" Jacobs failed to meet constitutional requirements for alleging malfeasance or nonfeasance.

•Recall petitions must specifically allege malfeasance or nonfeasance under state law

•Court found no evidence of judicial bias by the district court judge

Minnesota Supreme Court Affirms Conviction in Road Rage Murder Case

The Minnesota Supreme Court rejected multiple appellate claims in State of Minnesota v. Jamal L. Smith, affirming the defendant's conviction for the fatal shooting of Jay Boughton in a road rage incident. The court found no evidence of judicial bias, ineffective counsel, or improper jury composition.

•Defense counsel's failure to move for venue change did not constitute ineffective assistance

•Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed district court's unjust enrichment finding in property dispute between former unmarried partners

Minnesota Supreme Court Affirms Unjust Enrichment in Cohabitation Case

The Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed a district court ruling that a property owner would be unjustly enriched if allowed to retain a cabin and furnishings paid for by her former unmarried partner. The July 2024 decision in Hepfl v. Meadowcroft addresses property rights when cohabitating couples separate.

•Case involved cabin and fixtures paid for by one partner during cohabitation on property owned by the other

•Minnesota Supreme Court recognized temporary frustration of purpose doctrine as valid under state contract law

Minnesota Supreme Court Clarifies Lease Defense Doctrine in COVID Case

The Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed a lower court ruling in favor of landlord City Center Ventures, LLC against tenant Fitness International, LLC, establishing that the temporary frustration of purpose doctrine can suspend but not discharge commercial lease obligations. The decision provides important guidance on tenant defenses during business disruptions.

•Court ruled tenant lease obligations are suspended, not discharged, during periods of temporary frustration