Designated for publication Fakhuri v. Garland, 19-60275, petition for review of BIA order Smith, J. (Smith, Costa, Wilson), immigration Denying in part and dismissing in part Jordanian citizen’s (and legal permanent resident’s) petition for review of BIA order sustaining IJ’s determination that Tennessee conviction of money laundering was an “aggravated felony” supporting removal, on basis … More March 10-11, 2022, opinions
Designated for publication Newsom v. Reliance Standard Life Insurance Co., 20-10994, c/w 21-10519, appeal from N.D. Tex. Wilson, J. (Higginbotham, Stewart, Wilson), ERISA Affirming in part and vacating in part–affirming district court’s judgment that plaintiff is eligible for long-term disability benefits and the alleged date of his disability, but vacating judgment as to entitlement to … More February 18, 2022, opinions
Unpublished Herndon v. U.S., 20-10688, appeal from N.D. Tex. per curiam (Smith, Stewart, Graves), Federal Tort Claims Act Affirming summary judgment dismissal of former prisoner’s medical malpractice claim under the FTCA. Guzman v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 20-11123, appeal from N.D. Tex. per curiam (Davis, Jones, Elrod), habeas corpus Affirming dismissal of former immigration … More February 17, 2022, opinions
Designated for publication B.A. Kelly Land Co. v. Aethon Energy Operating, L.L.C., 20-30090, appeal from W.D. La. Dennis, J. (Higginbotham, Smith, Dennis), mineral law Reversing in part, rendering in part, vacating in part, and affirming in part district court’s summary judgment in favor of defendant operator of two oil and gas production units and denial … More February 11, 2022, opinions
Designated for publication VSP Labs, Inc. v. Hillair Capital Investments, L.P., 20-10885, appeal from N.D. Tex. Higginbotham, J. (Higginbotham, Willett, Duncan), bankruptcy Affirming district court and bankruptcy court orders prohibiting one non-debtor from asserting claims against two other non-debtors. VSP had entered into a technology-sharing agreement with Pro Fix Optix (“PFO”). VSP brought a breach … More February 9, 2022, opinions
Unpublished U.S. v. Viator, 20-11235, appeal from N.D. Tex. per curiam (Higginbotham, Higginson, Duncan), criminal, compassionate release Afirming district court’s denial of motion for compassionate release. Small v. Zarvona Energy, L.L.C., 20-20316, appeal from S.D. Tex. per curiam (Smith, Stewart, Graves), prisoner suit Affirming dismissal of former prisoner’s § 1983 suit for lack of subject … More January 26, 2022, opinions
Designated for publication Williams v. Boeing Co., 18-31158, appeal from E.D. La. Southwick, J. (Southwick, Graves, Engelhardt), personal tort, multi-district litigation Reversing in part final judgment entered in mesothelioma case by district court in Louisiana after summary judgment by MDL court in Pennsylvania, and remanded for further proceedings. The Court held that the MDL district … More January 11-14, 2022, opinions
Designated for publication Aviles-Tavera v. Garland, 20-60587, petition for review of BIA order Higginbotham, J. (Higginbotham, Stewart, Wilson), immigration Denying Mexican citizen’s petition for review of BIA determination that he is statutorily ineligible for withholding of removal and not entitled to protection under the Convention Against Torture. In a prior removal proceeding, the IJ determined … More January 4, 2022, opinions
Designated for publication DeOtte v. Nevada, 19-10754, appeal from N.D. Tex. Southwick, J. (Higginbotham, Southwick, Engelhardt), Affordable Care Act, Religious Freedom and Restoration Act, mootness, intervention Vacating district court’s injunction of the 2015 rules implementing the contraception mandate of the ACA, in light of Little Sisters of the Poor Saints Peter and Paul Home v. … More December 17, 2021, opinions
Designated for publication Ticer v. Imperium Insurance Co., 21-10108, appeal from N.D. Tex. Higginbotham, J. (Higginbotham, Stewart, Wilson), insurance, diversity jurisdiction Vacating district court’s dismissal of improperly joined non-diverse defendant with prejudice, and remanding to district court to dismiss non-diverse defendant without prejudice. Plaintiff brought suit in Texas state court against two insurance companies arising … More December 16, 2021, opinions
Take the Fifth 