US v. Cardenas - Cocaine Import Conspiracy Appeal

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals 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, remanding the case for further proceedings.

United States v. Aryeetey - Conviction Appeal Affirmation

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 the admission of DNA evidence and deemed the sentence substantively reasonable.

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.

Reidy Contracting Group v. Mt. Hawley Insurance - Additional Insured Status

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision, holding that Reidy Contracting Group was an additional insured under Mt. Hawley Insurance Company's policy. The court found that the Employers Liability Exclusion was ambiguous and must be construed against Mt. Hawley.

SBK ART LLC v. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP - Discovery for Foreign Litigation

The Second Circuit affirmed a District Court order granting SBK ART LLC's petition for discovery under 28 U.S.C. §1782 in aid of foreign litigation. The court held that the law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP must produce documents and testimony for use in European proceedings, disagreeing with the firm's argument that such discovery should be limited to what is discoverable from their client abroad.

B.B. v. Hochul - Due Process Rights in Foster Care

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals reversed in part and affirmed in part a district court's decision in B.B. v. Hochul. The court found that plaintiffs, minors in foster care, have standing to sue New York over its certification scheme for foster parents, which they allege violates their due process rights. The case is remanded for further proceedings.

US v Jimenez - Ammunition Possession Conviction Affirmed

The Second Circuit affirmed a district court's judgment against William Jimenez, who pleaded guilty to possessing ammunition after a felony conviction. The court upheld the special conditions of supervised release, including electronic device searches and mental health counseling, and affirmed the 105-month sentence.

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.

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.

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.