Designated for publication Oldham, J. (Dennis, Engelhardt, Oldham), Dennis, J., dissenting; bankruptcy Vacating bankruptcy court’s award of $239,655 in compensatory damages on civil contempt award, and remanding for further proceedings. The Court held that the bankruptcy court’s limited contempt power–limited to civil contempt–meant that it may only shift fees that are compensatory for actual expenses … More April 4, 2024, opinions
Unpublished per curiam (Wiener, Willett, Douglas), criminal, sentencing Affirming 110-month sentence on conviction of possession of a firearm by a felon in connection with a drug trafficking offense. per curiam (Willett, Duncan, Douglas), criminal, sentencing Affirming sentence on conviction of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; possession of cocaine with intent to distribute … More November 6, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication Higginson, J. (Higginbotham, Southwick, Higginson), insurance Affirming in part and reversing in part summary judgment in favor of insurers on claim for defense and indemnification under CGL and umbrella policies for an underlying suit against the insured alleging contamination from the plaintiff’s auto salvage and vehicle wash properties. The Court held that … More July 28-31, 2023, opinions
Playing catch-up from traveling and holidays, so the “designated for publication” summaries will be briefer than usual, but feel free, as always, to click through to the opinions that may interest you. Designated for publication Smith, J. (Smith, Barksdale, Haynes), criminal Vacating conviction for failure to register as a sex offender on basis that guilty … More November 16-23, 2022, opinions
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 U.S. v. Moparty, 19-20797, appeal from S.D. Tex. Jones, J. (Jones, Southwick, Costa), criminal, sentencing, sufficiency of evidence, harmless error Affirming convictions and sentences of co-defendants for health care fraud, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, and money laundering. One co-defendant (Moparty) was sentenced to 108 months’ imprisonment; the other (Narang) was … More August 23, 2021 opinions
Designated for pulication Future Proof Brands, LLC v. Molson Coors Beverage Co., 20-50323, appeal from W.D. Tex. Smith, J. (Higginbotham, Smith, Dennis), trademark infringement, intellectual property, preliminary injunction Affirming district court’s denial of preliminary injunction sought by plaintiff, who sued defendant for trademark infringement of plaintiff’s “brizzy” brand of hard seltzer product by defendant’s “vizzy” … More Take the Fifth: Dec. 3, 2020 opinions
Designated for publication Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas Family Planning and Preventative Health Services, Inc. v. Kauffman, 17-50282, appeal from W.D. Tex. En banc; abortion law, preliminary injunction, stare decisis, § 1983 Owen, J., joined by Jolly, Jones, Smith, Elrod, Southwick, Willett, Ho, Duncan, Engelhardt, JJ.; Haynes, J., concurring in judgment and joining in reasoning … More Take the Fifth: Nov. 23, 2020 opinions
