Verdict . News

D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals

D.C. Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Uzamere Lawsuit Against Trump

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by business owner Cheryl D. Uzamere against President Donald Trump and other federal officials. The three-judge panel ruled that Uzamere's complaint failed to meet basic federal pleading standards.

•D.C. Circuit unanimously affirmed district court's dismissal of lawsuit against President Trump

•Court ruled plaintiff's complaint failed to meet basic federal pleading standards under Bell Atlantic v. Twombly

First Circuit Court of Appeals

First Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Civil Rights Suit Against Revere Police

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has affirmed a district court's dismissal of civil rights and tort claims brought by Sharon Radfar against Revere, Massachusetts police officials, including a sergeant who was her former romantic partner.

•First Circuit affirmed district court's dismissal of all claims against Revere police officials for failure to state a claim

•Case involved civil rights and tort claims against former romantic partner who was a police sergeant

Regulatory

•Federal judge dismissed lawsuit against Trump administration's Operation Midway Blitz after plaintiffs' strategic motion

Federal Judge Dismisses Chicago Immigration Enforcement Lawsuit

A federal judge in Chicago dismissed a lawsuit filed by protesters, religious leaders, and journalists against the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operation known as 'Operation Midway Blitz.' The dismissal follows a strategic move by plaintiffs' attorneys after the Seventh Circuit stayed their preliminary injunction.

•Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals had previously stayed preliminary injunction, calling it overbroad

Legal News

•Federal judge ruled Virginia's felon disenfranchisement policy violates the 1870 Virginia Readmission Act

Federal Judge Rules Virginia Violated Reconstruction Law on Felon Voting

A federal judge ruled Thursday that Virginia's broad felon disenfranchisement policy violates the 1870 Virginia Readmission Act, granting an injunction that protects voting rights for those convicted of felonies created after Reconstruction. The decision ends what the court called a century-long violation of federal law designed to protect formerly enslaved people's voting rights.

•Court granted injunction protecting voting rights for those convicted of felonies created after Reconstruction

Legal News

•Federal judge ruled DOJ exceeded authority by requiring anti-DEI pledges for police grants

Federal Judge Blocks DOJ Anti-DEI Conditions on Police Grants

U.S. District Judge James Donato ruled that the Department of Justice exceeded its authority by requiring cities to pledge against diversity programs to receive community policing grants. The decision frees up nearly $8 million in funding for San Francisco, Tucson, San Diego and Santa Clara County.

•Decision frees up $8 million in community policing funding for four California jurisdictions

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Issues Published Decision in Tennessee Civil Rights Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a published decision in *Alford v. Deffendoll*, a civil rights case involving Cannon County sheriff's deputies and a traffic stop that escalated beyond minor violations. The court designated the January 23, 2026 ruling for publication, indicating its precedential value for future cases.

•Sixth Circuit designated the decision for publication, indicating precedential legal significance

•Case involves civil rights claims against Cannon County deputies following traffic stop

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit Affirms Lower Court in Immigration Rights Challenge

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a federal district court ruling in a case brought by ten immigrant advocacy organizations challenging policies under Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

•Fourth Circuit affirmed lower court ruling in 2-1 decision favoring federal defendants

•Ten immigrant advocacy organizations challenged DHS and USCIS policies under current leadership

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

3w ago•5 min read

6th Circuit Reverses, Grants Officer Qualified Immunity in Excessive Force Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit reversed a district court decision and granted qualified immunity to Officer Nicholas Rubenstahl, who was accused of using excessive force while executing an arrest warrant against Rebecca Lucas in Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

•Sixth Circuit reversed district court denial of qualified immunity for Officer Rubenstahl

•Case involved excessive force allegations during arrest warrant execution for criminal mischief

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

3rd Circuit Affirms Dismissal in New Jersey Insurance License Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed a district court's dismissal of Zia Hassan Shaikh's lawsuit challenging the revocation of his New Jersey insurance and real estate licenses. The appeals court also upheld sanctions imposed on Shaikh for filing frivolous motions.

•Third Circuit affirmed district court dismissal of license revocation challenge

•Court upheld filing injunction against pro se plaintiff for frivolous motions