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
Unpublished Wilder v. Caliber Home Loans, Inc., 20-10314, appeal from N.D. Tex. per curiam (Smith, Stewart, Graves), foreclosure Affirming summary judgment in favor of mortgage issuer in foreclosure claims. U.S. v. Galvez, 20-20449, appeal from S.D. Tex. per curiam (Davis, Jones, Elrod), criminal, sentencing Affirming 14-month sentence for illegal reentry. U.S. v. Brule, 20-30571, appeal … More December 8, 2021, opinions
Designated for publication Coleman v. BP Exploration & Production, Inc., 20-40811, appeal from S.D. Tex. Willett, J. (Higginbotham, Willett, Duncan), negligence, independent contractor Affirming summary judgment dismissal of claims against project management company (BP) and against day-to-day management company (Grand Isle Shipping), on claims of employee of scaffolding subcontractor arising from plaintiff’s back injury received … More November 22-29, 2021, opinions
Designated for publication Admar International, Inc. v. Eastrock, L.L.C., 21-30098, appeal from W.D. La. Ho, J. (Higginbotham, Smith, Ho), personal jurisdiction Affirming dismissal of copyright and trademark claims on the basis of lack of personal jurisdiction. Holding that “Merely running a website that is accessible in all 50 states, but that does not specifically target … More November 19, 2021, opinions
Designated for publication U.S. v. Sincleair, 20-10495, appeal from N.D. Tex. Davis, J. (Davis, Haynes, Oldham), Oldham, J., dissenting; criminal, sentencing Vacating sentence reached upon application of two-point enhancement for possession of dangerous weapon, and remanding for resentencing. The Court held, “[I]t is not clear whether the district court determined that Sincleair personally possessed the … More October 27-29, 2021, opinions
Designated for publication Ghedi v. Mayorkas, 20-10995, appeal from N.D. Tex. Willett, J. (Stewart, Costa, Willett), Fourth Amendment, Administrative Procedures Act Affirming dismissal of plaintiff’s Fourth Amendment and APA claims against various federal officials in their official capacities arising from being subjected to air travel restrictions and inconveniences. While the Court disagreed with the district … More October 21-25, 2021, opinions
Designated for publication Rutila v. U.S. DOTD, 20-10730, appeal from N.D. Tex. Smith, J. (Owen, Smith, Graves), Freedom of Information Act Reversing district court’s jurisdictional dismissal of pro se FOIA suit against the FAA and DOTD, and remanding for further proceedings. “The district court reasoned that, because Rutila ‘broadly challenged Defendants’ adequacy of search without … More September 1-6, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication Jennings v. Towers Watson, 19-11028, appeal from N.D. Tex. Higginson, J. (King, Higginson, Wilson), Title VII, employment discrimination, Americans with Disabilities Act Affirming summary judgment in favor of former-employer defendant on plaintiff’s claims for state-law civil conspiracy, hostile work environment under Title VII and the ADA, disability discrimination under the ADA, racial … More August 25, 2021 opinions
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 Kaswatuka v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 20-10632, appeal from N.D. Tex. Stewart, J. (Stewart, Costa, Willett), employment discrimination, Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act Affirming 12(b)(6) dismissal of plaintiff’s employment discrimination claims against the TSA. The Court first held that the plaintiff had waived any arguments other than those directly related … More August 2, 2021 opinions
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