(Note: While normally Take the Fifth provides more detailed summaries for opinions designated for publication and only basic disposition notes and links for unpublished opinions, because this is a catch-up post after two weeks of being away from the blog, we are just providing the links and basic disposition notes for both published and unpublished … More March 19-31, 2022, opinions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
Unpublished Herndon v. U.S., 20-10688, appeal from N.D. Tex. per curiam (Smith, Stewart, Graves), Federal Tort Claims Act Affirming summary judgment dismissal of former prisoner’s medical malpractice claim under the FTCA. Guzman v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 20-11123, appeal from N.D. Tex. per curiam (Davis, Jones, Elrod), habeas corpus Affirming dismissal of former immigration … More February 17, 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
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Unpublished Wilder v. Caliber Home Loans, Inc., 20-10314, appeal from N.D. Tex.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
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