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Court of Appeals of Maryland

Maryland Supreme Court Reinstates Attorney Brendan O'Brien to State Bar

The Maryland Supreme Court has reinstated attorney Brendan Michael O'Brien to the state bar, granting his petition for reinstatement on Jan. 23, 2026. The court's order allows O'Brien to resume practicing law in Maryland after a period of suspension or disbarment.

•Maryland Supreme Court granted Brendan O'Brien's petition for bar reinstatement on Jan. 23, 2026

•Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader signed the order allowing O'Brien to resume practicing law

•Vermont Supreme Court reversed trial court ruling that awarded plaintiffs 5/6 interest in family lakeside property

Supreme Court of Vermont

Vermont Supreme Court Reverses Property Ruling in Family Deed Dispute

The Vermont Supreme Court reversed a trial court decision in a complex family property dispute, ruling that a 1958 deed created a tenancy in common rather than a joint tenancy with right of survivorship. The case involved extended family members fighting over ownership interests in lakeside property.

•Court held that 1958 deed created tenancy in common, not joint tenancy with right of survivorship

•Nebraska Supreme Court held that determining ineffective counsel claims on direct appeal is a question of law

Nebraska Supreme Court

Nebraska Supreme Court Clarifies Standards for Ineffective Counsel Claims

The Nebraska Supreme Court issued an opinion in *State v. Wilson* on January 23, 2026, establishing legal standards for when appellate courts can determine ineffective assistance of counsel claims on direct appeal. The ruling clarifies how courts must evaluate whether trial counsel's performance met constitutional requirements.

•Appellate courts must assess whether trial record contains sufficient undisputed facts for conclusive determination

Court of Appeals of Maryland

Jan 23, 2026•2 min read

Maryland Supreme Court Dismisses Certiorari Petition in Attorney Fee Dispute

The Supreme Court of Maryland dismissed a writ of certiorari on January 23, 2026, in the case of Joseph Basso v. Jose Rodriguez, et al., by majority decision. The dismissal was procedural, resulting from the petitioner's failure to timely file briefs in a case involving attorney's fees under Maryland Rule 1-341 and contingency fee agreements.

•Writ of certiorari dismissed by majority decision of Maryland's highest court

•Case involved attorney's fees dispute under Maryland Rule 1-341 and contingency fee agreements

•Alaska Supreme Court addressed novel questions about mandatory arbitration of attorney's fee disputes on January 23, 2026

Alaska Supreme Court

Alaska Supreme Court Rules on Attorney Fee Dispute in Native Allotment Case

The Alaska Supreme Court issued a decision on January 23, 2026, in Leroy Oenga, Jr. v. Maria M. Givens, addressing novel questions about mandatory arbitration of attorney's fees in a case involving an Alaska Native allotment and federal government litigation.

•Case involved Alaska Native allotment heirs and successful federal government lawsuit over oil and gas mismanagement

•Wyoming Supreme Court affirmed summary judgment favoring Big Horn Glass against Sletten Construction's third-party claims

Wyoming Supreme Court

Wyoming Supreme Court Affirms Summary Judgment in Construction Dispute

The Wyoming Supreme Court affirmed a district court's summary judgment ruling in favor of Big Horn Glass, Inc. against Sletten Construction of Wyoming, Inc. in a third-party liability dispute involving a firearms manufacturing facility construction project in Cody, Wyoming.

•Dispute arose from construction of firearms manufacturing facility for Gunwerks in Cody, Wyoming

•Wyoming Supreme Court affirmed methamphetamine possession conviction after rejecting search warrant challenge

Wyoming Supreme Court

Wyoming Supreme Court Affirms Drug Conviction Despite Search Challenge

The Wyoming Supreme Court affirmed Chad Everette Urrutia's methamphetamine possession conviction, rejecting his argument that law enforcement omitted material facts from a search warrant affidavit. The court found no error in the district court's denial of his motion to suppress evidence found in his bedroom.

•Defendant argued law enforcement omitted material facts from warrant affidavit that would have undermined probable cause

•Iowa Supreme Court unanimously affirmed dismissal of wrongful death claims against Oakland Manor nursing facility

Supreme Court of Iowa

Iowa Supreme Court Upholds COVID-19 Immunity Law in Nursing Home Death Case

The Iowa Supreme Court unanimously affirmed the dismissal of wrongful death claims against Oakland Manor nursing facility, clarifying the scope of COVID-19 liability protections for healthcare providers. The ruling addresses the balance between facility immunity and patient safety during the pandemic.

•Case provides first major interpretation of Iowa's COVID-19 Response and Back-to-Business Limited Liability Act

Court of Appeals of Maryland

Maryland Supreme Court Reinstates Attorney Robert Paul Pratz to State Bar

The Maryland Supreme Court granted attorney Robert Paul Pratz's petition for reinstatement to the Maryland Bar on Jan. 23, 2026. The order, signed by Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader, restores Pratz's ability to practice law in the state following a period of suspension or disbarment.

•Robert Paul Pratz successfully petitioned the Maryland Supreme Court for reinstatement to the state bar

•The court granted the petition on Jan. 23, 2026, with Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader signing the order