Correspondent
White House correspondent, covers patent, trade and regulatory news
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit denied a petition for a writ of mandamus filed by Baari'a Muhammad. The court dismissed the petition as moot because the district court had already ruled on the underlying motions.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed summary judgment against a Deepwater Horizon cleanup worker who failed to submit expert reports within an extended deadline. The court held that the settlement agreement did not mandate indefinite delays and that the district court acted within its authority to manage its docket.
The Fourth Circuit dismissed a petition for a writ of mandamus as moot because the district court had already resolved the underlying dispute. The appellate court found that no further judicial relief could be granted since the district court had dismissed the complaint and ruled on all pending motions.
The Fourth Circuit denied a pro se petition for a writ of mandamus seeking to compel North Carolina state courts to enforce a prior state order. The court held that federal courts lack jurisdiction to issue mandamus relief against state officials or to review final state court orders.
The Fourth Circuit dismissed an appeal filed by a pro se litigant because the notice was submitted before the district court entered a final order. The court held that without a final judgment or specific interlocutory ruling, it lacks the statutory authority to hear the case.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of Richard Phillip of the Family Valdez's federal and state law claims following a review under 28 U.S.C. § 1915. The appellate court found no reversible error in the lower court's proceedings and determined that oral argument was unnecessary.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed a district court's grant of summary judgment against a Deepwater Horizon cleanup worker who failed to submit expert reports within the court-ordered deadline. The appellate court held that the district court acted within its discretion to deny a stay and enforce the scheduling order despite the plaintiff's arguments regarding the settlement agreement.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of nine consolidated civil actions filed by Miyuki Maureen Johnson, ruling that her claims were frivolous under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i). The court held that Johnson failed to prove the existence of any lawful trust and cannot proceed pro se on behalf of non-existent entities.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed a district court ruling dismissing a pro se plaintiff's foreclosure-related claims. The court held that non-diverse defendants were improperly joined and that the plaintiff failed to establish viable legal theories against the diverse defendants.
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.
