Maria Santos

Correspondent

Maria Santos

White House correspondent, covers patent, trade and regulatory news

Business & Regulatory patent

Decisions covered by Maria Santos

639 decisions
Apr 24 2026
9th Cir. 2:24-cv-08947-CBM-JPR Unpublished

TSATRYAN V. FERNANDEZ, ET AL.

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Arthur Tsatryan's federal claims, ruling that his lawsuit functioned as an impermissible de facto appeal of prior state divorce judgments. The court held that the Rooker-Feldman doctrine barred federal review because the claims were inextricably intertwined with state court orders and lacked sufficient allegations of extrinsic fraud.

Civil Contract
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Apr 24 2026
9th Cir. 2:22-cv-01131-RSM Unpublished

TERI SAHM V. KARIM ALI, ET AL

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Teri Sahm's foreclosure challenge, ruling that her complaint failed to state a claim due to a lack of factual allegations linking defendants to harm. The court upheld the district court's findings on preclusion, recusal, and vexatious litigant status, leaving the dismissal and restrictions on future filings in place.

Bankruptcy Civil
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Apr 24 2026
9th Cir. 8:24-cv-02232-DDP-KES Unpublished

Nourbakhsh, Et Al. v. Rubio

The Ninth Circuit vacated and remanded a district court order after intervening visa developments mooted the original delay claim. The appellate court directed the lower court to address new legal questions regarding administrative processing and a Presidential Proclamation refusal.

Civil Immigration (Civil) Mootness
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Apr 24 2026
11th Cir. 1:23-cv-00057-LAG Per Curiam

United States v. Whitman

The Eleventh Circuit dismissed an appeal regarding federal tax lien foreclosures because the district court had not yet entered a specific order of sale. The court held that without an order setting the terms of the sale, the proceedings remain non-final and unappealable.

Appellate Jurisdiction Civil Securities
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Apr 23 2026
8th Cir. 25-1750 Panel Decision

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Inc. v. Reynolds

The Eighth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of an as-applied First Amendment challenge to Iowa's trespass-surveillance statute, ruling that the law is narrowly tailored to protect private property rights. The court held that property owners who request a trespasser to leave implicitly retain the right to prohibit recording on their premises, even if they do not explicitly demand the cessation of filming.

Administrative / Agency Review Civil
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Apr 23 2026
11th Cir. 3:23-cv-01185-HES-MCR Per Curiam

Avullija v. Secretary, Department of Homeland Security

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Albana Avullija's challenge to the denial of her husband's fifth immigration petition due to his history of sham marriages. The court held that USCIS acted within its statutory authority under 8 U.S.C. § 1154(c) by denying relief based on substantial evidence of fraud in Leonard Avullija's prior marital relationships.

Civil Securities
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Apr 23 2026
4th Cir. 26-1020 Per Curiam

In re LISA RICHARDSON HENDERSON

The Fourth Circuit denied Lisa Richardson Henderson's petition for a writ of mandamus, ruling that such relief is an extraordinary remedy reserved for clear rights where no adequate alternative means exist. The court reasoned that the requested orders to enforce attorney admission and correct procedural violations cannot substitute for a direct appeal, which remains the proper vehicle for challenging bankruptcy court decisions.

Bankruptcy Civil
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Apr 23 2026
Fed. Cir. 24-1956 Panel Decision

SLINGSHOT PRINTING LLC v. CANON U.S.A., INC

The Federal Circuit affirmed the Patent Trial and Appeal Board's decision that specific claims of a semiconductor substrate patent were obvious. The court found that prior art references collectively disclosed all claim limitations and provided sufficient motivation for a skilled artisan to combine them.

Civil Intellectual Property
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