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 20 2026
11th Cir. 9:24-cv-81093-AMC Per Curiam

Wing Kei Ho v. Northland Lugano, LLC

The Eleventh Circuit vacated a dismissal based on the Rooker-Feldman doctrine, ruling that the district court should have dismissed the plaintiff's complaint for being an unintelligible shotgun pleading. The appellate court held that the plaintiff's failure to comply with prior repleader orders required dismissal under Rule 12(b)(6) for failure to state a claim rather than for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

Civil Securities
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Apr 17 2026
11th Cir. 9:23-cv-81262-RLR Published

KEVIN JOYCE v. FOREST RIVER, INC FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS CORPORATION

The Eleventh Circuit reversed summary judgment against Forest River, Inc. while affirming it against Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation in a Florida Lemon Law dispute. The court held that statutory presumptions regarding repair attempts are not mandatory requirements, creating a genuine issue of material fact for Forest River that precludes summary judgment.

Civil Securities Summary Judgment
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Apr 17 2026
11th Cir. 1:22-cv-22399-DPG Published

FRIDA KAHLO CORPORATION FRIDA KAHLO INVESTMENTS, S.A v. MARA CRISTINA TERESA ROMEO PINEDO an individual FAMILIA KAHLO S.A. DE C.V a Mexico corporation

The Eleventh Circuit reversed a dismissal, holding that Florida's corporate shield doctrine does not protect a Mexican heiress who sent cease-and-desist letters in her personal capacity. The court further ruled that sending tortious letters targeting Florida business partners satisfies the minimum contacts test for specific personal jurisdiction under the Due Process Clause.

Civil Intellectual Property
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Apr 17 2026
10th Cir. 1:23-CV-02618-STV Panel Decision

Mazur v. State Farm Mut. Automobile Insurance Co.

The Tenth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for State Farm, holding that Colorado law requires an uninsured motorist's vehicle to be directly involved in an accident to trigger coverage. The court found that a pedestrian's independent decision to leave a broken-down vehicle and walk into a travel lane severed the causal chain between the vehicle's use and the resulting crash.

Civil Insurance Summary Judgment
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Apr 17 2026
6th Cir. 25-5410 Published

Reiter v. Meink

The Sixth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit challenging an Air Force promotion denial, holding that the Correction Board acted within its discretion under the Administrative Procedure Act. The court ruled that the Senior Rater's submitted record remained valid despite a procedural error in providing a copy to the officer, and that the Board's reliance on that record was supported by substantial evidence.

Civil Securities
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Apr 17 2026
6th Cir. 25-5759 Published

K. Petroleum, Inc. v. Hubacek

The Sixth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a motion for a new trial, holding that the jury's verdict was not seriously erroneous given the substantial deference owed to jury findings. The court found sufficient evidence supported the breach of contract award and rejected the landowner's claim for easement maintenance costs.

Civil Summary Judgment Tax (Civil)
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Apr 17 2026
United States Court… 25-7010 Panel Decision

Inova Health Care Services, for Inova Fairfax Hospital and Its Department, Life with Cancer v. Omni Shoreham Corporation

The D.C. Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Inova, holding that Omni Shoreham breached its contract and the implied covenant of good faith by unilaterally relocating a gala to inferior venues to accommodate a higher-paying third party. However, the court vacated the damages awarded to the Smith Center, finding a genuine dispute of material fact regarding its status as an intended third-party beneficiary.

Civil Contract
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Apr 17 2026
9th Cir. 3:23-cv-01103-YY Unpublished

Kambarov v. Quality Counts, Inc.

The Ninth Circuit vacated a dismissal for lack of personal jurisdiction, holding that the plaintiff made a prima facie showing that the defendant intentionally aimed conduct at Oregon. The case is remanded for the district court to resolve factual disputes in the plaintiff's favor and complete the jurisdictional analysis.

Civil Contract
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Apr 17 2026
9th Cir. 9:23-cv-00151-KLD Unpublished

John Ambler; Stacy Ambler v. Flathead Conservation District; Friends of Montana Streams and Rivers Intervenor-Defendant

The Ninth Circuit affirmed that Montana lacks jurisdiction to enforce its 1975 Streambed Act against private landowners within Glacier National Park. The court held that because the United States acquired exclusive legislative jurisdiction in 1914, post-cession state statutes do not apply absent a same basic scheme exception.

Civil Securities Summary Judgment
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