Nielsen v. Burke - Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Opinion

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion in Nielsen v. Burke, affirming in part and reversing in part a district court decision. The case involves a former inmate suing prison officials for failing to protect her from sexual assault. The court affirmed the denial of qualified immunity and the jury's finding of liability, awarding $19.3 million in damages.

Nielsen v. Macleod - Civil Rights Lawsuit Opinion

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion in Nielsen v. Macleod, affirming a jury's $19.3 million award against prison officials for violating an inmate's Eighth Amendment rights. The court upheld the denial of qualified immunity for the defendants.

Johnnie Russell v. Ryan Comstock - Civil Rights Appeal

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion in Johnnie Russell v. Ryan Comstock, concerning a civil rights lawsuit alleging Fourth Amendment violations. The court reviewed the district court's grant of summary judgment in favor of police officers.

Jacqueline Gaines v. Denise Cross - First Amendment Employment Case

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's dismissal of a First Amendment claim filed by Jacqueline Gaines, a former magistrate judge. The court found that her termination for campaign speech that negatively portrayed the court did not violate her free speech rights, as she held a confidential position.

United States v. Lawrence Mark Sherman - Court Opinion

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction of Dr. Lawrence Mark Sherman for conspiring to distribute controlled substances and unlawful distribution. The court found no reversible error in the district court's proceedings or denial of a new trial motion. The case involved the operation of Tranquility Wellness Center and the unlawful distribution of opioid prescriptions.

LaFleur v. Yardi Systems, Inc. - Right of Publicity Claim

The Sixth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a right of publicity claim against Yardi Systems, Inc. The court found that the plaintiffs failed to allege that their identities carried distinct commercial value, a required element for such claims. This ruling impacts how individuals can assert privacy rights related to online data aggregation.

Ethan Ennes v. Presque Isle County, Michigan - Excessive Force Lawsuit

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's decision granting summary judgment to Presque Isle County and Deputy Dave Schmoldt in a lawsuit filed by Ethan Ennes. Ennes alleged excessive force and other claims stemming from an incident in a classroom. The court found no genuine dispute of material fact.

Wm. Powell Co. v. Ocean Marine Ins. Co. - Sixth Circuit Opinion

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a non-precedential opinion in Wm. Powell Co. v. Ocean Marine Ins. Co. The court vacated a district court's dismissal order and remanded the case for further proceedings concerning insurance policy coverage disputes dating back several decades.

Court Upholds Injunction Against South Dakota Election Law

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a preliminary injunction against South Dakota's Senate Bill 180, which governs paid petition circulators. The court found the law likely violates the First Amendment by being overbroad and not narrowly tailored to election integrity.

United States v. Jeffrey Dixon - Criminal Sentencing Appeal

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a revocation sentence for Jeffrey Dixon, finding the district court's familiarity with the record did not constitute plain error and the sentence was not substantively unreasonable. The court published its opinion on November 1, 2022.