2nd Circuit Court of Appeals

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 decided whether to seek civil commitment. The court addressed challenges to the order's mootness and the district court's authority to prolong hospitalization.

Matusak v. Daminski - Excessive Force and Qualified Immunity Appeal

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision granting qualified immunity to two Monroe County Sheriff's Office deputies. The court found that while the jury determined excessive force was used, the officers' belief that the suspect posed a threat was objectively reasonable, and no clearly established law prohibited their actions.

Kellogg v. Nichols - Concealed Carry License Case

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit challenging New York's concealed carry license laws. The court held that state judges reviewing license applications are protected by absolute judicial immunity and that federal courts lack jurisdiction over such claims under Article III's case-or-controversy requirement.

GEICO v. Mayzenberg - Insurance Reimbursement Dispute

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a district court judgment in favor of GEICO in GEICO v. Mayzenberg. The court remanded the case after the New York Court of Appeals clarified that an insurer cannot deny no-fault benefits based solely on alleged professional misconduct that does not involve ceding control of a professional services corporation to an unlicensed party.

Safdieh v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue - Tax Penalties

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Commissioner of Internal Revenue can assess penalties for failing to report control of a foreign business under I.R.C. § 6038(b). The court vacated a Tax Court order that had granted summary judgment to the taxpayer, Joseph Safdieh, and remanded the case for further proceedings.

Bugliotti v. Republic of Argentina - Sovereign Bond Dispute

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals partially affirmed and partially vacated a district court's dismissal of a bondholder suit against the Republic of Argentina. The court found that some of the bondholders' claims are timely under New York's COVID-era tolling provisions and that they now have authority under Argentine law to sue on defaulted sovereign bonds.

Broadcast Music, Inc. v. North American Concert Promoters Association - Antitrust

The Second Circuit vacated a district court's decision regarding music licensing fees set by Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) for concert promoters. The court found the imposed rates and expanded definition of gross revenues to be unreasonable and remanded the case for further proceedings.

Miller v. Lamanna - Appeal of Dismissal

The Second Circuit vacated a district court's dismissal of a former corrections officer's discrimination and retaliation claims. The appellate court found the district court erred by converting a summary judgment motion into a Rule 12(b)(6) dismissal, considering only the complaint's allegations despite extensive discovery. The case is remanded for further proceedings.

Peña Garcia v. Department of Labor - Workers' Compensation

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals denied a petition for review in Peña Garcia v. Department of Labor. The court affirmed the denial of reimbursement for medical cannabis-infused edibles under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, citing federal law classifying marijuana as a Schedule I substance.

Miller v. Lamanna - Appeal of Dismissal

The Second Circuit vacated a district court's dismissal of a former corrections officer's discrimination and retaliation claims. The appellate court found the district court erred by converting a summary judgment motion into a Rule 12(b)(6) dismissal, considering only the complaint's allegations. The case is remanded for further proceedings.