Courts & Litigation

Safdieh v. Commissioner - Tax Court Judgment Vacated

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a Tax Court order that granted summary judgment to Joseph Safdieh, ruling that the Commissioner of Internal Revenue can assess penalties for failing to report control of a foreign business. The court remanded the case for further proceedings.

United States v. Aryeetey - Felon in Possession of Firearm Conviction Affirmed

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction and sentence of Ivanjoel Aryeetey for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The court found no abuse of discretion in admitting DNA evidence and deemed the sentence substantively reasonable.

Jin v. City of New York - Qualified Immunity Appeal

The US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit reversed a lower court's decision, granting qualified immunity to NYPD officers in a false arrest claim. The court found arguable probable cause for the arrest, overturning the denial of summary judgment and emphasizing a case-by-case assessment for domestic violence reports.

US v Jimenez - 105 Months Prison Sentence for Felony Conviction

The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed a district court's judgment sentencing William Jimenez to 105 months imprisonment and three years of supervised release for possessing ammunition after a felony conviction. The court upheld the special conditions of supervised release, including electronic device searches and mental health counseling.

Peña Garcia v. Dept of Labor - Workers' Compensation

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit 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.

Kellogg v. Nichols - Concealed Carry License Application Case

The Second Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit challenging New York's concealed carry license application process. The court held that state judges are absolutely immune from individual-capacity suits and that federal courts lack jurisdiction for official-capacity claims due to Article III's case-or-controversy requirement.

Sufiyan v. Bondi - Asylum, Withholding, CAT Appeal Decision

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals granted in part and remanded a petition for review in Sufiyan v. Bondi. The court found that the Board of Immigration Appeals erred by not determining if the petitioner would be eligible for asylum or withholding of removal but for the material support bar, which prevents him from applying for a waiver. The petition for review of the CAT claim was denied.

Care One LLC v. NLRB - Unfair Labor Practice Proceedings

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's denial of a preliminary injunction for Care One LLC and affiliated health care facilities. The facilities sought to halt NLRB proceedings, arguing the ALJ was improperly appointed due to a lack of quorum. The court found the plaintiffs could not demonstrate irreparable harm, thus affirming the denial.

US v. Cardenas - Cocaine Import Conspiracy Appeal

The US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit vacated the conviction of Jey James Roldan Cardenas for conspiracy to import cocaine. The court found that the district court erred in excluding evidence relevant to Cardenas's defense of lacking criminal intent. The case is remanded for further proceedings.

Miller v. Lamanna - Appeal of Rule 12(b)(6) Dismissal

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals 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) motion to dismiss, considering only the complaint's allegations.