Maria Santos

Correspondent

Maria Santos

White House correspondent, covers patent, trade and regulatory news

Business & Regulatory patent

Decisions covered by Maria Santos

639 decisions
Mar 5 2026
9th Cir. 2:18-cv-03300-DJH Unpublished

EPICENTER LOSS RECOVERY LLC v. BURFORD CAPITAL LIMITED; GANYMEDE INVESTMENTS LIMITED

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court's order compelling arbitration and dismissing the lawsuit, holding that a valid arbitration agreement existed under Arizona law and the Federal Arbitration Act. The court clarified that while the dismissal was correct, it should have been based on the merits rather than a lack of subject-matter jurisdiction.

Civil Securities
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Mar 5 2026
Fed. Cir. 24-1944 Panel Decision

HOA T. JANICH v. DOUGLAS A. COLLINS, SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 2024-1944

The Federal Circuit vacated the Veterans Court's decision and remanded the case because the lower court may have applied an incorrect legal standard regarding harmless error in a Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability claim. The appellate court held that the Veterans Court erred by assuming that a Board's identification of illustrative jobs is automatically harmless if the Board is not required to survey the actual job market.

Administrative / Agency Review Civil
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Mar 4 2026
3rd Cir. 25-1051 Panel Decision

SAT Agiyar, LLC v. 7-Eleven, Inc.

The Third Circuit affirmed summary judgment for 7-Eleven in a franchise dispute, ruling that the franchisor had valid grounds to rescind the agreement due to the franchisee's failure to maintain required net worth and operate as a 24-hour store. The court further held that 7-Eleven's refusal to permanently waive penalty fees did not violate the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

Civil Contract Summary Judgment
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Mar 4 2026
10th Cir. 2:19-CV-02147-TC Panel Decision

MARK ENSMINGER v. CREDIT LAW CENTER, LLC

The Tenth Circuit affirmed summary judgment, holding that a plaintiff lacked Article III standing to sue for a Credit Repair Organization Act violation because he received services worth more than his advance payment before the payment was collected. The court ruled that a statutory violation alone does not create a concrete injury when the consumer has already received the full value of the bargain.

Civil Securities Summary Judgment
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Mar 4 2026
3rd Cir. 26-1444 Panel Decision

In re LIGADO NETWORKS LLC, ET AL. Debtors LIGADO NETWORKS LLC Debtor-Appellant in 26-1444

The Third Circuit vacated a District Court stay that blocked Ligado Networks from enforcing a bankruptcy-approved agreement with AST & Science regarding spectrum rights. The appellate court held that the District Court abused its discretion by misinterpreting the contract and failing to recognize the irreparable harm Ligado would suffer from missing critical FCC deadlines.

Civil Environmental (Civil)
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Mar 4 2026
3rd Cir. 24-2777 Panel Decision

MICHAEL D. PENDERGRASS v. COMMISSIONER SOCIAL SECURITY

The Third Circuit affirmed the denial of Social Security disability benefits to Michael Pendergrass, ruling that substantial evidence supported the Administrative Law Judge's finding that Pendergrass was not disabled. The court held that the ALJ properly weighed medical evidence and considered Pendergrass's inconsistent treatment history in determining his residual functional capacity.

Civil Social Security
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Mar 4 2026
3rd Cir. 26-1445 Panel Decision

In re LIGADO NETWORKS LLC, ET AL. Debtors LIGADO NETWORKS LLC Debtor-Appellant in 26-1444

The Third Circuit vacated a District Court stay order that blocked Ligado Networks from enforcing a Bankruptcy Court mandate requiring Inmarsat to support an FCC spectrum application. The appellate court ruled that the District Court abused its discretion by misinterpreting the parties' contract and failing to recognize the irreparable harm caused by delaying the FCC's March 2 deadline.

Civil Environmental (Civil)
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Mar 3 2026
10th Cir. 25-1445 Panel Decision

In re PABLO-ROCCO FORENZA

The Tenth Circuit denied a petition for a writ of prohibition because federal courts lack the authority to issue such writs against state courts. The court held that state courts are not inferior federal courts within the meaning of the federal writ statutes.

Admiralty / Maritime Civil
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Mar 3 2026
3rd Cir. 2:21-cv-04987 Panel Decision

HALEY RODD v. JAMES MCCOY; PROGRESSIVE SPECIALTY INSURANCE CO

The Third Circuit affirmed the District Court's denial of Progressive Specialty Insurance Co.'s motions because the insurer failed to timely raise the household vehicle exclusion as an affirmative defense. The court held that the legal basis for the exclusion was settled law at the time of the initial answer, rendering Progressive's delay undue.

Antitrust (Civil) Civil
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