Designated for publication Maxim Crane Works, L.P. v. Zurich American Insurance Co., 19-20489, appeal from S.D. Tex. per curiam (Smith, Ho, Oldham), insurance, Texas Anti-Indemnity Act, standing Certifying question of interpretation of the term “employee” in the Texas Anti-Indemnity Act to the Texas Supreme Court; and holding that district court did not err in declining … More August 20, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication Hernandez v. Garland, 19-60274, petition for review of BIA order Jones, J. (Jones, Costa, Duncan), Costa, J., dissenting; immigration Denying Salvadoran citizen’s petition for review of BIA order denying motion to reconsider prior order of removal or alternatively to reopen proceedings. BIA deemed the motion as a motion to reconsider, concluded that … More August 13, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication Schweizer v. Canon, Inc., 20-20071, appeal from S.D. Tex. Higginson, J. (Wiener, Elrod, Higginson), False Claims Act, qui tam Affirming summary judgment dismissal of plaintiff’s qui tam action under the False Claims Act alleging that Canon overcharged the U.S. for office equipment and provided non-compliant office products, holding that the claims were … More August 12, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication U.S. v. Butler, 19-40095, appeal from E.D. Tex. Smith, J. (Owen, Smith, Graves), criminal, sentencing Affirming imposition of special conditions of release and temporary denial of federal benefits as part of sentence on guilty plea to conspiracy to possess methamphetamine. Defendant entered into a guilty plea agreement that indicated a sentence of … More August 10. 2021 opinions
Designated for publication Landry’s, Inc. v. The Insurance Co. of the State of Pennsylvania, 19-20430, appeal from S.D. Tex. Oldham, J. (Smith, Oldham; Ho, recused, op. by quorum); insurance Reversing district court’s summary judgment that insurer did not have a duty to defend retail chain that was defending itself against a claim by the processing … More July 21, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication Singh v. Garland, 19-60937, petition for review of BIA order Higginbotham, J. (Higginbotham, Southwick, Willett), immigration Granting stay pending review of petition for review of BIA order dismissing Indian citizen’s appeal of IJ decision denying his application for asylum and protection under the Convention Against Torture and finding petitioner not credible. Petitioner’s … More July 12, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication Butler v. Porter, 19-30029, appeal from W.D. La. Haynes, J. (Owen, Dennis, Haynes), Bivens claim Affirming in part, affirming the district court’s dismissal of Bivens claim for First Amendment retaliation claims and for due process claims, and affirming the district court’s denial of motions to file surreply briefs and to file amended … More Take the Fifth: June 2-3, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication U.S. v. McClaren, 17-30524, appeal from E.D. La. Stewart, J. (Stewart, Higginson, Wilson), criminal, sufficiency of evidence, Batson challenge “Defendants Delwin McClaren, Dedrick Keelen, Jawan Fortia, Bryan Scott, and Lionel Allen were convicted of numerous crimes related to their participation in a New Orleans street gang. We AFFIRM their convictions in part … More Take the Fifth: May 18, 2021 opinions
Unpublished Mills v. Adams County, Mississippi, 19-60829, appeal from S.D. Miss. per curiam (Wiener, Southwick, Duncan), prisoner suit Dismissing appeal for lack of jurisdiction due to untimely filed notice of appeal. U.S. v. Fernandez, 20-10479, appeal from N.D. Tex. per curiam (Graves, Willett, Duncan), criminal Granting Anders motion to withdraw, and dismissing appeal. U.S. v. … More Take the Fifth: May 13, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication U.S. v. Smith, 20-50304, appeal from W.D. Tex. Haynes, J. (King, Smith, Haynes), Smith, J., dissenting; criminal, guilty plea, firearms violation Vacating guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) based on on factual basis that defendant’s only interaction with firearm was … More Take the Fifth: May 5, 2021 opinions
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