March 1-4, 2022, opinions

Designated for publication Collins v. Yellen, 17-20364, appeal from S.D. Tex. per curiam (joined by Owen, Jones, Smith, Elrod, Southwick, Higginson, Willett, Ho, Duncan, Engelhardt, Oldham, Wilson, JJ.); Haynes, J., dissenting, joined by Stewart, Dennis, Graves, Costa, JJ.); separation of powers After partial vacatur and remand by U.S. Supreme Court of en banc decision at … More March 1-4, 2022, opinions

February 23-28, 2022, opinions

Designated for publication Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. v. Avanci, L.L.C., 20-11032, appeal from N.D. Tex. Stewart, J. (Stewart, Ho, Engelhardt); Ho, J., constructively dissenting; antitrust law, standing Vacating 12(b)(6) dismissal of automotive parts supplier’s antitrust claim against patent licensing agent for group of standard-essential patent holders of cellular-connectivity technologies, and remanding to district court with … More February 23-28, 2022, opinions

February 15, 2022, opinions

Designated for publication Craig v. Martin, 19-10013, appeal from N.D. Tex. Owen, C.J. (Owen, Barksdale, Duncan), qualified immunity Reversing denial of qualified immunity summary judgment on excessive force claims and rendering judgment in favor of police officer defendant. The Court held that the video evidence showed that it was not objectively unreasonable for the officer … More February 15, 2022, opinions

February 9, 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

January 31, 2022, opinions

Designated for publication Dotson v. Atlantic Specialty Insurance Co., 21-30314, appeal from E.D. La. Ho, J. (King, Graves, Ho), insurance, res judicata Affirming summary judgment dismissing plaintiff’s bad faith claims against insurer arising from insurer’s representations about policy limits in prior litigation arising from an auto accident, on grounds of the res judicata effect of … More January 31, 2022, opinions

January 28, 2022, opinions

Designated for publication Gabriel Investment Group, Inc. v. Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, 21-50322, appeal from W.D. Tex. Willett, J. (King, Costa, Willett), alcohol regulation Certifying to the Texas Supreme Court question regarding whether an exempt publicly-traded corporation owning a package store permit may retain that permit when it is sold to a non-exempt publicly-traded corporation … More January 28, 2022, opinions

January 26, 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

January 24-25, 2022, opinions

Designated for publication U.S. v. Garrett, 17-10516, appeal from N.D. Tex. Jolly, J. (Jolly, Jones, Southwick), criminal, sentencing, Armed Career Criminal Act On remand from the U.S. Supreme Court, reinstating prior judgment reversing imposition of a lesser sentence not enhanced under the ACCA and remanding for resentencing. The panel had previously held that a prior … More January 24-25, 2022, opinions

January 21, 2022, opinions

Designated for publication Pennywell v. Hooper, 20-30045, appeal from W.D. La. Jolly, J. (Jolly, Higginson, Engelhardt), habeas corpus Reversing the district court’s dismissal of the petitioner’s petition for federal habeas relief, based on a holding of equitable tolling, and remanding for further proceedings. “Pennywell delivered his petition for direct review of his state conviction—which resulted … More January 21, 2022, opinions

January 17-18, 2022, opinions

Designated for publication U.S. v. Gomez, 17-20526, appeal from S.D. Tex. per curiam (Smith, Elrod, Oldham), criminal, sentencing On remand from the U.S. Supreme Court, remanding to the district court to reform the judgment to impose sentence under 8 U.S.C. § 1326(b)(1) (applicable to predicate non-aggravated felonies) rather than under 8 U.S.C. § 1326(b)(2) (applicable … More January 17-18, 2022, opinions