Federal Courts

Wm. Powell Co. v. Ocean Marine Ins. Co. - Sixth Circuit Opinion

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a non-precedential opinion in Wm. Powell Co. v. Ocean Marine Ins. Co. The court vacated a district court's dismissal order and remanded the case for further proceedings concerning insurance policy coverage disputes dating back several decades.

United States v. Lawrence Mark Sherman - Court Opinion

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction of Dr. Lawrence Mark Sherman for conspiring to distribute controlled substances and unlawful distribution. The court found no reversible error in the district court's proceedings or denial of a new trial motion. The case involved the operation of Tranquility Wellness Center and the unlawful distribution of opioid prescriptions.

LaFleur v. Yardi Systems, Inc. - Right of Publicity Claim

The Sixth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a right of publicity claim against Yardi Systems, Inc. The court found that the plaintiffs failed to allege that their identities carried distinct commercial value, a required element for such claims. This ruling impacts how individuals can assert privacy rights related to online data aggregation.

Jacqueline Gaines v. Denise Cross - First Amendment Employment Case

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's dismissal of a First Amendment claim filed by Jacqueline Gaines, a former magistrate judge. The court found that her termination for campaign speech that negatively portrayed the court did not violate her free speech rights, as she held a confidential position.

Ethan Ennes v. Presque Isle County, Michigan - Excessive Force Lawsuit

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's decision granting summary judgment to Presque Isle County and Deputy Dave Schmoldt in a lawsuit filed by Ethan Ennes. Ennes alleged excessive force and other claims stemming from an incident in a classroom. The court found no genuine dispute of material fact.

United States v. Jeffrey Dixon - Criminal Sentencing Appeal

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a revocation sentence for Jeffrey Dixon, finding the district court's familiarity with the record did not constitute plain error and the sentence was not substantively unreasonable. The court published its opinion on November 1, 2022.

Megan Green v. Cliff Sommer - Civil Rights Case Ruling

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on the civil rights case Megan Green v. Cliff Sommer. The court partially affirmed the denial of qualified immunity for some officers involved in a tear gas incident during protests, while granting it for others and dismissing conspiracy claims.

Court Upholds Injunction Against South Dakota Election Law

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a preliminary injunction against South Dakota's Senate Bill 180, which governs paid petition circulators. The court found the law likely violates the First Amendment by being overbroad and not narrowly tailored to election integrity.

Fatima Coreas-Chavez v. Merrick Garland - Immigration Petition Review

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals denied an immigration petition for review in Fatima Coreas-Chavez v. Merrick Garland. The court found that the petitioners failed to demonstrate error in the Board of Immigration Appeals' decision regarding their fear of persecution, thus waiving their challenge.

Furlow v. Belmar - Civil Rights Challenge to St. Louis County Wanted System

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on a civil rights case challenging St. Louis County's electronic wanted system. The court found that while a facial challenge to the system failed, one officer was not entitled to qualified immunity, and the municipal liability claim was dismissed.