Verdict . News

2w ago•4 min read

•California Republicans seek emergency Supreme Court intervention to block new electoral maps

Supreme Court Weighs California Map Challenge, Gender Policy Case

California Republicans have petitioned the Supreme Court to block the state's new electoral maps for upcoming elections, while a separate case involving parental notification policies for transgender students awaits decision. Both cases highlight ongoing political and social tensions reaching the nation's highest court.

•State officials and advocacy groups have filed responses defending the redistricting process

•Supreme Court reversed Fourth Circuit in per curiam decision without oral argument

Supreme Court Reverses Fourth Circuit in Klein v. Martin Habeas Case

The Supreme Court issued a per curiam decision in Klein v. Martin on January 26, 2026, reversing the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in a habeas corpus case involving a Maryland prisoner. The Court emphasized that federal courts must strictly adhere to AEDPA standards when reviewing state court convictions.

•Case reinforces strict AEDPA standards limiting federal habeas relief for state prisoners

D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals

D.C. Circuit Rules on AstraZeneca Terror Financing Case After SCOTUS Remand

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued a decision in *Joshua Atchley v. AstraZeneca UK Limited*, a case involving allegations that pharmaceutical companies aided terrorism in Iraq. The ruling comes after the Supreme Court remanded the case for further consideration.

•D.C. Circuit issued decision on Jan. 23, 2026, after Supreme Court remand in terrorism financing case

•Plaintiffs allege AstraZeneca and other companies aided Jaysh al-Mahdi terrorist group in Iraq

3w ago•5 min read

•Supreme Court clarified application of VA's 'benefit-of-the-doubt' rule for veterans' PTSD disability claims

Supreme Court Rules on VA 'Benefit-of-the-Doubt' Rule in PTSD Cases

The Supreme Court issued a decision March 5, 2025, in Bufkin v. Collins addressing how the Department of Veterans Affairs applies its 'benefit-of-the-doubt' rule when evaluating veterans' claims for PTSD-related disability benefits. The case involved two veterans challenging VA denials of their service-connected PTSD claims.

•Case involved two veterans who challenged VA denials of their service-connected PTSD benefit requests

•Supreme Court unanimously held that voluntary dismissals without prejudice constitute "final proceedings" under Rule 60(b)

Supreme Court Rules Dismissed Cases Can Be Reopened Under Rule 60(b)

The Supreme Court held that federal courts can reopen cases voluntarily dismissed without prejudice under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b). The unanimous decision in Waetzig v. Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. clarifies procedural rules for employment discrimination cases involving arbitration.

•Decision resolves circuit split over whether dismissed cases can be reopened for post-arbitration relief

•Supreme Court unanimously limits trademark damage awards to profits earned by the actual defendant entity

Supreme Court Limits Trademark Damages to Actual Defendant Profits

The Supreme Court ruled February 26 that courts cannot aggregate profits from corporate affiliates when calculating trademark infringement damages under the Lanham Act. The unanimous decision in *Dewberry Group v. Dewberry Engineers* restricts damage awards to profits actually earned by the defendant entity.

•Courts cannot aggregate profits from corporate affiliates when calculating Lanham Act damages

•Supreme Court ruled plaintiffs with only preliminary injunctions are not "prevailing parties" eligible for attorney fees

Supreme Court: No Attorney Fees for Preliminary Injunctions in Moot Cases

The Supreme Court ruled that drivers who obtained a preliminary injunction against Virginia's license suspension statute cannot recover attorney fees under federal civil rights law after the case became moot when the legislature repealed the law.

•Virginia repealed contested driver's license suspension law after lawsuit began but before trial

3w ago•2 min read

•Richard Glossip has been on death row for nearly 28 years based primarily on testimony from the actual killer, Justin Sneed

Supreme Court to Decide Glossip v. Oklahoma Death Penalty Case

The Supreme Court will decide Glossip v. Oklahoma, a capital punishment case involving Richard Glossip, who has been on death row for nearly 28 years. The case centers on whether Glossip should be executed based primarily on testimony from the actual killer, Justin Sneed, and involves complex post-conviction relief proceedings.

•The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals overturned Glossip's conviction on first appeal due to ineffective assistance of counsel, but he was retried and again sentenced to death

•Supreme Court decided Wisconsin Bell v. Heath involving E-Rate program fraud allegations

Supreme Court Rules on E-Rate Fraud Case Against Wisconsin Bell

The Supreme Court decided Wisconsin Bell, Inc. v. United States ex rel. Heath, a case involving allegations that Wisconsin Bell defrauded the federal E-Rate program that subsidizes telecommunications services for schools and libraries. The decision addresses fraud claims related to the Universal Service Fund administration.

•Case centers on 'lowest corresponding price' rule requiring fair pricing for schools and libraries