US Courts

Sacaza v. City of New York - Qualified Immunity Appeal

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court's denial of summary judgment for Detective Michael Friedman in a case brought by Dennis Sacaza. The court found that arguable probable cause existed for Sacaza's arrest and prosecution, granting Friedman qualified immunity on the federal claims.

GEICO v. Mayzenberg - Insurance No-Fault Benefits Eligibility

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a district court judgment in favor of GEICO in GEICO v. Mayzenberg. The court's decision followed a certified question answered by the New York Court of Appeals, which held that an insurer cannot deny no-fault benefits based on alleged professional misconduct that does not involve ceding control of a professional services corporation to an unlicensed party.

Bondholders v. Republic of Argentina - Sovereign Bond Default Litigation

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

Miller v. Lamanna - Appeal of Dismissal for Failure to State a Claim

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, improperly disregarding evidence.

Peña Garcia v. Department of Labor - Disability Benefits Review

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals denied a petition for review filed by Luis Peña Garcia, who sought reimbursement for medical cannabis edibles under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. The court affirmed the Department of Labor's decision, citing the Controlled Substances Act's classification of marijuana as a Schedule I substance.

Kellogg v. Nichols - Amended Opinion on Concealed Carry Licenses

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals amended its opinion in Kellogg v. Nichols, reaffirming that New York state court judges have absolute judicial immunity for decisions on concealed carry license applications. The court also held that claims for injunctive and declaratory relief against these judges in their official capacities are barred by Article III's case-or-controversy requirement.

United States v. Aryeetey - Felon in Possession of Firearm Appeal

The Second Circuit affirmed a conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The court found no abuse of discretion in admitting DNA evidence despite a disclosure deadline miss and deemed the sentence substantively reasonable. The defendant was sentenced to 78 months imprisonment.

Urizar-Mota v. United States - FTCA Negligence Claim

The First Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed in part and reversed in part a district court ruling concerning a Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) negligence claim. The court remanded for further proceedings on homemaker damages awarded to the plaintiff, Lucia Urizar-Mota, who alleged medical negligence by federally funded health center providers led to permanent neurological damage.

Holland v. Elevance Health, Inc. - Health Plan Exclusion of Weight-Loss Medication

The First Circuit affirmed a district court's dismissal of a class action lawsuit against Elevance Health, Inc. The plaintiff alleged that the health insurance plan's exclusion of weight-loss medication violated federal law by discriminating against enrollees with obesity. The court found that the plaintiff's allegations did not plausibly support her theories of unlawful disability discrimination.

Kendell Seafood Imports v. Mark Foods - Affirmance of District Court Order

The First Circuit affirmed a district court's order dismissing Kendell Seafood Imports' tortious interference claim against Mark Foods. The court found that the amended complaint did not moot the pending motion to dismiss and that the claim lacked facial plausibility.