Federal Courts

United States v. Woods - Competency to Stand Trial

The Second Circuit affirmed a district court's order extending a defendant's hospitalization beyond the initial four-month period while the government determined whether to seek civil commitment. The court clarified the application of 18 U.S.C. § 4241(d)(2)(B) in cases where a defendant is found incompetent to stand trial.

Duke v. Luxottica - ERISA Retirement Plan Class Action Opinion

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on a class action lawsuit alleging Luxottica's retirement plan violated ERISA by using outdated actuarial assumptions. The court held that the plaintiff has standing to seek plan reformation but not monetary payments to the plan, and that the effective vindication doctrine precludes mandatory arbitration of claims on behalf of the plan.

Reidy Contracting Group v. Mt. Hawley Insurance - Additional Insured Coverage Dispute

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court ruling that Reidy Contracting Group is an additional insured under Mt. Hawley Insurance Company's excess liability policy. The court held that the Employers Liability Exclusion was ambiguous and must be construed against Mt. Hawley.

Pinilla Perez v. Bondi - Noncitizen Removal Proceedings Deadline

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals granted a petition challenging the Board of Immigration Appeals' denial of a motion to reopen removal proceedings. The court found the BIA provided insufficient reasons for denying equitable tolling of the 90-day deadline for filing such motions.

SBK ART LLC v. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP - Discovery for Foreign Litigation

The Second Circuit affirmed a district court's order granting SBK ART LLC's petition for discovery under 28 U.S.C. §1782 for use in foreign litigation. The court disagreed with the respondent law firm's argument that discovery should be denied if the documents are not discoverable from the foreign client abroad.

B.B. v. Hochul - Child Welfare Certification Challenge

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals reversed in part and affirmed in part a lower court's decision in B.B. v. Hochul. The court found that plaintiffs, children removed from their parents, have standing to challenge New York's certification scheme for relative foster parents, which denied certification based on criminal history or child abuse reports. The court remanded for further proceedings.

Connecticut Fair Housing Center v. CoreLogic Rental Property Solutions Opinion

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion in Connecticut Fair Housing Center v. CoreLogic Rental Property Solutions. The court vacated in part, affirmed in part, and reversed in part the district court's decision regarding claims of disparate impact discrimination under the Fair Housing Act and violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Care One LLC v NLRB - Court Opinion on Unfair Labor Practice Proceedings

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's denial of a preliminary injunction sought by Care One LLC and its affiliates. The healthcare facilities sought to halt proceedings before the NLRB, arguing the ALJ was improperly appointed and shielded from removal. The court found the plaintiffs could not demonstrate irreparable harm, thus denying the injunction.

US v. Cardenas - Cocaine Import Conspiracy Conviction

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the conviction of Jay James Roldan Cardenas for conspiracy to import cocaine. The court found that the district court erred in excluding evidence crucial to Roldan's defense of lacking criminal intent, remanding the case for further proceedings.

Mar-Can Transport v. Pension Fund - ERISA Withdrawal Liability

The Second Circuit affirmed a lower court ruling that reduces Mar-Can Transport's ERISA withdrawal liability by $1.8 million. The decision clarifies the interpretation of "unfunded vested benefits" for multiemployer pension plans when an employer switches to a new union.