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Supreme Court of Virginia

State Court

6d ago•4 min read

Virginia Supreme Court Rules on Deputy's Records Request Under Government Data Act

The Virginia Supreme Court partially reversed lower court decisions in *Keil v. O'Sullivan*, ruling that a Chesapeake Sheriff's deputy may have rights to personal information under the Government Data Collection and Dissemination Practices Act, while confirming he has no remedy under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

•Virginia Supreme Court partially reversed lower courts, denying VFOIA claims but allowing Government Data Act claims to proceed

•Case remanded for in-camera review to determine what constitutes 'personal information' subject to deputy's rights

State Court

Supreme Court of Oklahoma

Oklahoma Supreme Court Issues Writs Against District Judge in Drilling Case

The Oklahoma Supreme Court issued extraordinary writs of prohibition and mandamus against a Grady County district judge, blocking enforcement of a September 2025 judgment and ordering dismissal of all claims in a case involving Cactus Drilling Company LLC.

•Oklahoma Supreme Court issued writs of prohibition and mandamus against Grady County District Judge Kory Kirkland

•Court blocked enforcement of September 11, 2025 judgment and ordered dismissal of all claims against Cactus Drilling Company

Federal Circuit Court of Appeals

Federal Circuit Upholds SEC's Indefinite Suspension of Security Specialist

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit rejected Stefani Gibson's petition challenging her indefinite suspension from her role as Personnel Security Specialist at the Securities and Exchange Commission. The court upheld a Merit Systems Protection Board decision that affirmed the SEC's disciplinary action against Gibson in a nonprecedential ruling filed February 6, 2026.

•Federal Circuit Court upheld Merit Systems Protection Board's decision affirming SEC's indefinite suspension of Personnel Security Specialist Stefani Gibson

•Case involved Gibson's inability to maintain Top Secret security clearance required for her position at the SEC

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

3rd Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment in ADA Retaliation Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed a district court's summary judgment ruling in favor of Progressive Pain Management LLC in an employment retaliation lawsuit filed by former physician assistant Renee Wolf.

•Third Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Progressive Pain Management LLC in ADA retaliation case

•Former physician assistant Renee Wolf failed to establish prima facie case of retaliation

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit Upholds San Antonio Officer's Termination Over Off-Duty Incident

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the termination of probationary San Antonio police officer Lucy Abajian-Salon, who was fired after an off-duty confrontation with construction workers in her neighborhood resulted in property damage allegations.

•Fifth Circuit affirmed termination of probationary San Antonio police officer Lucy Abajian-Salon following off-duty incident with construction workers

•Officer's federal discrimination lawsuit under Title VII, Section 1981, and Texas Labor Code was dismissed by district court and upheld on appeal

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Affirms Denial of Arbitration in Cemetery Worker Class Action

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's denial of a motion to compel arbitration in a class action lawsuit brought by cemetery worker Manuel Gonzales against Rose Hills Company and related entities. The appellate court ruled that the defendants failed to establish the existence of an arbitration agreement.

•Ninth Circuit affirmed district court's denial of motion to compel arbitration in cemetery worker class action

•Defendants Rose Hills Company and related entities failed to establish existence of valid arbitration agreements

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

2nd Circuit Affirms District Court in Lim v. Radish Media Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed a lower court's judgment in *Jun Young Lim v. Radish Media, Inc.* in a summary order issued Feb. 5, 2026. The non-precedential ruling concluded an employment dispute between Lim and the media company.

•Second Circuit affirmed district court judgment favoring Radish Media, Inc.

•Summary order carries no precedential effect under federal appellate rules

State Court

•Hawaii Supreme Court accepted certiorari petition filed by Steven Goo on Dec. 22, 2025

Supreme Court of Hawaii

Hawaii Supreme Court to Review Workplace Safety Case Against Royal Hawaiian Movers

The Hawaii Supreme Court has accepted a writ of certiorari in *Sumera v. Goo*, a workplace dispute involving employee Lester Sumera and Royal Hawaiian Movers management. The case will proceed to oral argument before the state's highest court.

•Case involves workplace dispute between employee Lester Sumera and Royal Hawaiian Movers management

Legal News

Eastern District of Louisiana

Trump Nominee Defends Forced Arbitration for Sexual Assault Cases

Anna St. John, President Trump's nominee for the Eastern District of Louisiana federal bench, faced sharp questioning from Senate Democrats over her 2021 testimony defending forced arbitration in sexual harassment and assault cases. The nominee contended her statements should not be misconstrued as minimizing victims' experiences.

•Anna St. John defended forced arbitration in sexual harassment cases during 2021 House testimony

•Democratic senators questioned whether her views would affect judicial decision-making