Maria Santos

Correspondent

Maria Santos

White House correspondent, covers patent, trade and regulatory news

Business & Regulatory patent

Decisions covered by Maria Santos

636 decisions
Dec 11 2025
1st Cir. Nos. 24-1532, 24-1614, 24-1734 Panel Decision

Orkin v. Albert

The First Circuit vacated a district court judgment that had found siblings liable for defamation and conversion in a dispute over a family business operated without formal corporate structure. The appellate court held that the lower court erred by failing to recognize an implied contract for compensation and by issuing an injunction that exceeded its authority to resolve ownership disputes.

Civil Tax (Civil)
Read summary →
Dec 11 2025
1st Cir. 24-1734 Panel Decision

Orkin v. Albert

The First Circuit vacated and remanded a district court judgment that failed to recognize an implied contract entitling a sibling to compensation for his decade-long management of a family business. The court also reversed a finding that the sibling's email accusing him of fraud was not defamatory, holding that the statement unambiguously imputed criminal conduct.

Civil Tax (Civil)
Read summary →
Dec 8 2025
11th Cir. 24-10651 Published

Fairfield Southern Company v. Director, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs

The Eleventh Circuit vacated and remanded a Benefits Review Board decision granting Black Lung benefits, clarifying that while aboveground work can qualify for the statutory presumption, the facility must be part of the same geographically bounded underground mine. The court held that a preparation plant located five miles from the extraction site did not constitute part of the underground coal mine under the statute.

Civil Social Security
Read summary →
Dec 2 2025
11th Cir. 1:22-cv-20703-RNS Published

Francisco Lagos Marmol, Fernando Van Peborgh v. Kalonymus Development Partners, LLC

The Eleventh Circuit held that a buyer's claim for specific performance was moot because the parties had already closed on the sale of the property following the district court's order. However, the court proceeded to review the damages award, affirming in part and reversing in part the district court's calculation of damages for the breach of the real-estate contract.

Bankruptcy Civil Mootness
Read summary →
Nov 24 2025
11th Cir. 2:21-cv-00950-JLB Published

In Re: ATIF, Inc. Debtor. DANIEL J. STERMER v. OLD REPUBLIC NATIONAL TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY OLD REPUBLIC NATIONAL TITLE HOLDING COMPANY OLD REPUBLIC TITLE COMPANIES, INC ATTORN...

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a bankruptcy court's judgment rejecting a Creditor Trustee's fraudulent transfer claims against title insurance companies. The appellate court upheld the lower court's finding that the debtor received reasonably equivalent value for its assets and that the corporate entities involved were not alter egos or successors liable for the debtor's debts.

Bankruptcy Civil Intellectual Property
Read summary →
Nov 21 2025
11th Cir. 1:21-cv-02900-SDG Published

Cheriese D. Johnson v. Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, The William Carter Company Group Long Term Disability Insurance Plan

The Eleventh Circuit reversed a district court's grant of summary judgment, holding that an insurance company's interpretation of a preexisting condition exclusion was unreasonable. The court ruled that medical treatment for symptoms does not constitute treatment for a specific disease if neither the patient nor the doctors suspected that disease at the time.

Civil ERISA / Employee Benefits Social Security Summary Judgment
Read summary →
Nov 19 2025
11th Cir. 3:22-cv-01153-TJC-JBT Published

Reach Air Medical Services LLC v. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc, C2C Innovative Solutions, Inc

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of an air ambulance provider's attempt to vacate an Independent Dispute Resolution award under the No Surprises Act. The court held that judicial review is strictly limited to the narrow grounds of the Federal Arbitration Act and that the provider failed to plead sufficient facts of fraud or undue means.

Civil Securities
Read summary →
Nov 17 2025
11th Cir. 6:23-cv-00495-RBD-DCI Published

Affordable Housing Group, Inc. v. Florida Housing Affordability, Inc.

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the district court's judgment enforcing a 1994 affordable housing agreement between Florida Housing and the Resolution Trust Corporation. The court held that Florida Housing remains bound to the contractual obligation to rent a specified percentage of units below market price for the agreed 40-year term, despite the purchaser's attempt to terminate the obligation early.

Civil Insurance
Read summary →
Nov 17 2025
11th Cir. 1:23-cv-00332-C Published

APM Terminals Mobile, LLC v. International Longshoremen's Association, AFL-CIO, Local Union 1410

The Eleventh Circuit dismissed an interlocutory appeal challenging a district court's denial of a motion to compel arbitration under a collective bargaining agreement. The court held that such orders are not immediately appealable under the collateral-order doctrine because arbitration denials can be effectively reviewed after a final judgment.

Appellate Jurisdiction Civil Labor
Read summary →