US Courts

Marriage of Barrett - Property Division

The Montana Supreme Court affirmed the Fourteenth Judicial District Court's Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Decree of Dissolution in Marriage of Barrett (DA 25-0090). The Court upheld the district court's equitable distribution of marital assets and debts and rejected George Barrett's claims that certain property was improperly classified as marital property and that maintenance considerations were flawed.

Estate of Sean Thomas - Estate Administration Appeal

The Montana Supreme Court affirmed Case No. DA 25-0246, upholding the Second Judicial District Court's preliminary injunction requiring personal representative Jaimie Thomas to seek prior court approval for estate distributions. The case involves a dispute between the decedent's widow and father over Sean Thomas's estate administration, including family business interests.

All Families v. State - Preliminary Injunction Affirmed

The Montana Supreme Court affirmed a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of House Bill 937 (2023 Mont. Laws ch. 492) and Admin. R. M. 37.106.3101 through 37.106.3114 (2024), which restricted abortion care. The First Judicial District Court had found HB 937 and associated rules likely violate the Montana Constitution's equal protection provisions. The Supreme Court upheld the injunction in its entirety, keeping the restrictions blocked while litigation continues.

Montana Supreme Court affirms DUI per se sentence

Montana Supreme Court affirms DUI per se sentence

Piedmont Natural Gas v. BlueRoad Fontanel - Eminent Domain

The Tennessee Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court's judgment in Piedmont Natural Gas Company v. BlueRoad Fontanel, LLC, a condemnation case involving eminent domain for a natural gas pipeline easement across a Nashville hospitality property. The court rejected Piedmont's challenges to expert testimony admissibility and found the jury's $14,500,000 just compensation verdict was supported by material evidence. Case No. M2024-01860-COA-R3-CV.

Coleman v. CBL & Associates - Relation Back Doctrine

The Tennessee Court of Appeals reversed the Circuit Court for Madison County in an interlocutory appeal regarding the relation back doctrine under Tennessee Rule of Civil Procedure 15.03. The appellate court held that plaintiffs could not amend their complaint to name a new corporate entity as defendant after summary judgment was granted, because the new defendant received no timely notice of the lawsuit.

Wilson v. Mickles - Healthcare Liability Appeal Dismissal

The Tennessee Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of a healthcare liability case where plaintiffs failed to appear at trial despite the denial of their continuance motion. The Wilson v. Mickles case arose from a dental procedure injury claim, and the trial court dismissed it with prejudice for failure to prosecute and noncompliance with pretrial orders. The appellate court found no reversible error.

Lemley v. Rowe - Breach of Contract Appeal Dismissed

The Tennessee Court of Appeals dismissed plaintiff Yin C. Lemley's appeal of a breach of contract judgment due to significant deficiencies in her appellate briefs, waiving consideration of all issues. The trial court had awarded Lemley $170,470.04 in reimbursement of payments made toward property purchase, finding she committed the first material breach and acted in bad faith.

Navarro v. Central Research, Inc. - Civil Complaint

The United States District Court for the Northern District of California docketed a civil complaint filed by plaintiff Alejandro Navarro against defendant Central Research, Inc. on April 1, 2026. The complaint, seeking unspecified damages, was filed as a federal question case under Other Statutory Actions and carries a $405 filing fee.

State v. Alexander C. Beaver - Criminal Appeal

The Wisconsin Court of Appeals released its opinion in State v. Alexander C. Beaver (Case No. 2025AP001768-CR) on April 1, 2026. The appeal was heard in District 2, Walworth County. This is a published criminal opinion that may be cited as precedent once it appears in the official reports.