Verdict . News

Supreme Court of Virginia

Virginia Supreme Court Affirms Family Farm Dissolution in Sibling Dispute

The Virginia Supreme Court has affirmed a lower court decision ordering the dissolution of Ticonderoga Farms, a family-owned agritourism business spanning over 900 acres in Northern Virginia. The ruling came after a legal dispute between majority member Peter J. Knop and his siblings Alexandra and William.

•Virginia Supreme Court affirmed dissolution of multi-generational family farm LLC spanning 900+ acres

•Majority member Peter J. Knop failed to expel minority siblings from the business

•Washington Supreme Court addressed whether COVID-19 infection qualifies as occupational disease for traveling flight attendant

Washington Supreme Court

Washington Supreme Court Rules on Flight Attendant COVID Workers' Comp Case

The Washington State Supreme Court issued a ruling in *Azorit-Wortham v. Department of Labor & Industries*, addressing whether a flight attendant's COVID-19 infection contracted in March 2020 qualifies as an occupational disease under state workers' compensation law. The case involves Alaska Airlines employee Lisa Azorit-Wortham's claim for benefits under Washington's Industrial Insurance Act.

•Trial court applied traveling employee doctrine to occupational disease claims, jury ruled for worker

•Washington Supreme Court denied Tim Eyman's writ of mandamus against Secretary of State Steve Hobbs

Washington Supreme Court

Washington Supreme Court Denies Tim Eyman's Referendum Challenge

The Washington State Supreme Court denied activist Tim Eyman's petition for a writ of mandamus against Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, ruling that the Secretary has no duty to process referendums on legislation constitutionally exempt from referendum challenges.

•Court ruled Secretary has no duty to process referendums on constitutionally exempt legislation

Supreme Court of Rhode Island

Rhode Island Supreme Court Affirms Summary Judgment for Porch Swing Holdings

The Rhode Island Supreme Court affirmed a Superior Court order granting summary judgment in favor of Porch Swing Holdings LLC against Wayne A. Mallory and Linda M. Mallory. The case involved a mortgage dispute stemming from a $28,000 loan secured by real estate at 21B Waterview Drive in Smithfield.

•Rhode Island Supreme Court affirmed summary judgment for Porch Swing Holdings LLC in mortgage dispute

•Case involved $28,000 loan secured by second mortgage on Smithfield property from 2006

Court of Appeals of Maryland

Maryland Attorney Indefinitely Suspended for Professional Conduct Violations

The Supreme Court of Maryland ordered the indefinite suspension of attorney Cendoria Yvonne Dean from practicing law in the state, effective 60 days after the Nov. 6, 2025 order. Dean was sanctioned for violations of multiple professional conduct rules governing attorney competence, client funds, and professional behavior.

•Indefinite suspension ordered by Maryland Supreme Court effective 60 days after Nov. 6, 2025

•Multiple rule violations including competence, client funds safekeeping, and professional conduct standards

•Derek Anderson filed petition for extraordinary relief challenging municipal incorporation proceedings in Utah Supreme Court

Utah Supreme Court

Utah Supreme Court Hears Municipal Incorporation Challenge

The Utah Supreme Court heard a petition for extraordinary relief in *Anderson v. Hon. Bates*, with Derek Anderson challenging municipal incorporation proceedings. The case involves multiple respondents including Judge Matthew Bates and Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson.

•Multiple respondents involved including Judge Matthew Bates and Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson

Supreme Court of South Dakota

Nov 5, 2025•4 min read

S.D. Supreme Court Affirms Jury Verdict Against American West Insurance

The South Dakota Supreme Court affirmed a jury verdict in favor of Mark Fiechtner against American West Insurance Company in a dispute over underinsured motorist benefits following a 2018 motor vehicle accident. The court upheld findings of breach of contract and bad faith, along with punitive damages and attorney fees.

•South Dakota Supreme Court affirmed jury verdict finding American West Insurance breached contract and acted in bad faith

•Case arose from 2018 motor vehicle accident where Fiechtner sought underinsured motorist benefits after exhausting other coverage

Supreme Court of South Dakota

Nov 5, 2025•4 min read

South Dakota Supreme Court Affirms Sexual Contact Conviction in Richter Case

The South Dakota Supreme Court affirmed the conviction of Larry Gene Richter on three counts of sexual contact with a developmentally disabled adult. The court rejected Richter's challenge to the trial court's decision allowing the victim to testify while holding a stuffed animal.

•South Dakota Supreme Court affirmed Larry Gene Richter's conviction on three counts of sexual contact with a developmentally disabled adult

•Court rejected Richter's challenge to allowing victim to testify while holding a stuffed animal

Supreme Court of Minnesota

Nov 5, 2025•4 min read

Minnesota Supreme Court Reverses Conviction Over Unprepared Defense

The Minnesota Supreme Court reversed a murder conviction after finding that defense counsel's admission of being unprepared for trial constituted ineffective assistance of counsel. The court ruled that Tescil Romalis Mason-Kimmons should be allowed to withdraw his guilty plea.

•Minnesota Supreme Court found defense counsel constitutionally deficient for advising guilty plea due to lack of trial preparation

•Court established reasonable probability defendant would have gone to trial with competent counsel