Designated for publication Douglas, J. (Clement, Oldham, Douglas) (oral argument withdrawn), breach of contract, expert witness, mandate Affirming defense judgment after bench trial on remand from reversal of earlier summary judgment for defendant. Energy trading firm MIECO contracted with natural gas producer Pioneer for the daily sale of 20,000 million British thermal units of natural … More October 8, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Smith, J. (Smith, Clement, Higginson) (no oral argument), criminal, guilty plea, sentencing On remand from U.S. Supreme Court, dismissing appeal under appeal-waiver of plea agreement. Devin Chaney pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act Robbery (18 U.S.C. § 1951(a)) and Armed Bank Robbery (18 U.S.C. § 2113(a) and (d)), and in his plea agreement … More September 18-21, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Jones, J. (Higginbotham, Jones, Southwick) (no oral argument), Toxic Substances Control Act, administrative law Granting industry petitioner’s petition for review of EPA rule, vacating rule, and remanding to EPA. Methylene chloride (MC) is a volatile chemical solvent widely used in adhesives, automotive products, and paint removers. EPA determined that nearly all uses … More September 15-16, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Richman, J. (Richman, Higginson, Oldham) (oral argument), Oldham, J., dubitante; appellate jurisdiction, anti-SLAPP, defamation Affirming denial of motion to strike under Louisiana’s anti-SLAPP statute. Luke Sahs, a former student at Loyola University New Orleans, sued the university asserting defamation and related claims after a series of events stemming from a school-sponsored trip … More September 11, 2026, opinions
Unpublished decisions per curiam (Smith, Southwick, Oldham) (no oral argument), criminal Granting Anders motion to withdraw, and dismissing appeal. per curiam (Smith, Southwick, Oldham) (no oral argument), criminal, sentencing Affirming 21-month sentence on conviction of illegal reentry. per curiam (Willett, Duncan, Engelhardt) (no oral argument), criminal Granting Anders motion to withdraw, and dismissing appeal. per … More August 31, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Southwick, J. (Southwick, Graves, Wilson) (oral argument withdrawn), Wilson, J., concurring; arbitration Affirming denial of defendant’s motion to compel arbitration. Floor and Decor Outlets of America (“F&D”), a national flooring retailer, contracted with MAPP, L.L.C., a local Louisiana construction management company, for the building of a retail store in Metairie, Louisiana. F&D … More August 6, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Engelhardt, J. (Wiener, Engelhardt, Oldham) (oral argument withdrawn), personal tort, preemption Reversing judgment for defendant on claims arising from fatal truck-auto accident in which one of defendant’s employee’s was the involved truck driver; and remanding for further proceedings. Satnam Singh Lehal’s tractor-trailer jackknifed on the way to Laredo, Texas, crossed into oncoming … More August 3, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Willett, J. (Stewart, Willett, Wilson) (no oral argument), Stewart, J., dissenting in part; mandamus, appellate jurisdiction, voluntary dismissal, school desegregation Dismissing appeal for lack of jurisdiction over judgment that was entered after voluntary dismissal of school desegregation case, and granting mandamus vacating post-dismissal judgment. This school-desegregation case had been pending for more … More July 13-15, 2026, decisions
Designated for publication Higginson, J. (Richman, Higginson, Douglas) (no oral argument), qualified immunity Affirming qualified immunity summary judgment dismissal of claim against officer on excessive force claim. On April 27, 2022, Houston police pursued Jalen Randle to execute three felony warrants (aggravated assault, felon in possession of a firearm, and evading arrest). After an immobilization … More July 8-9, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Willett, J. (Higginson, Willett, Engelhardt) (oral argument at original panel stage), preemption, taking, Contracts Clause Granting petition for panel rehearing and substituting for February 9, 2026, panel opinion, affirming summary judgment for Louisiana on pharmaceutical companies’ and trade group’s challenge to Louisiana statute on drug purchases. Pharmaceutical manufacturers AbbVie, AstraZeneca, and trade … More July 1-7, 2026, opinions
