Correspondent

Maria Santos

White House correspondent, covers patent, trade and regulatory news

Business & Regulatory patent

Decisions covered by Maria Santos

1,025 decisions

Mar 30 2026

6th Cir. 25-8010 Published

In re SHARENNE L. TUCKER Debtor. SHARENNE L. TUCKER

The Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the Sixth Circuit reversed a bankruptcy court order confirming a Chapter 13 plan that attempted to retain a secured creditor's lien until the completion of plan payments rather than until discharge. The court held that the Bankruptcy Code's plain language requires lien retention until the earlier of debt payment or discharge, leaving no room for judicial modification when a debtor is ineligible for discharge.

Bankruptcy Civil Labor

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Mar 30 2026

8th Cir. 24-3161 Panel Decision

Missouri River Energy Services v. FERC

The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit issued an opinion in this administrative review case involving energy regulation. Judgment in accordance with the opinion was entered on the same date.

Administrative / Agency Review Civil

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Mar 30 2026

Fed. Cir. 26-1565 Panel Decision

Leotis Dixon v. Douglas A. Collins

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit dismissed the appeal in this veterans benefits case. The dismissal occurred because both parties agreed to the termination of the proceeding.

Administrative / Agency Review Civil

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Mar 27 2026

United States Court… 24-5101 Panel Decision

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY v. LEE M. ZELDIN

The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit vacated and remanded the EPA's approval of Florida's permitting program under the Clean Water Act, citing non-compliance with the Endangered Species Act.

Civil Intellectual Property

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Mar 27 2026

10th Cir. 1:21-CV-00970-GPG-NRN) Panel Decision

TERRY FRAZIER v. JOSUE ALVARADO; STEVENS TRANSPORT

The Tenth Circuit affirmed a jury verdict finding that a trucking accident did not cause the plaintiff's injuries. The court held that the plaintiff failed to preserve sufficiency of evidence arguments and could not prove ineffective assistance of counsel in a civil case.

Civil Tort / Personal Injury

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Mar 27 2026

3rd Cir. 25-1992 Panel Decision

CHRISTOPHER J. RADZIEWICZ v. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The Third Circuit affirmed the District Court's denial of a former Air Force reservist's request to correct his military record under the Administrative Procedure Act. The court held that the Air Force Board's decision to deny the petition was supported by substantial evidence and was not arbitrary or capricious.

Administrative / Agency Review Civil Summary Judgment

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Mar 27 2026

1st Cir. 25-1469 Panel Decision

KENDELL SEAFOOD IMPORTS, INC v. MARK FOODS, LLC

The First Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a tortious interference claim, ruling that the district court properly applied a pending motion to dismiss to an amended complaint. The court held that the amended pleading failed to plausibly allege that the defendant knew of the plaintiff's contract with a third party.

Civil Contract Motion to Dismiss

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Mar 27 2026

5th Cir. 25-60204 Per Curiam

In the Matter of VCR I, L.L.C. Debtor Derek A. Henderson v. United States Trustee

The Fifth Circuit affirmed that a Chapter 7 trustee cannot earn commissions on surplus distributions made to an entity functioning as the debtor's stand-in. The court held that such payments fall under the statutory category for returning equity to the debtor, which is explicitly excluded from the trustee's compensation calculation.

Bankruptcy Civil

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Mar 27 2026

5th Cir. 25-30410 Per Curiam

In the Matter of Tony Frederick Washington Debtor Tony Frederick Washington v. US Bank National Association; Nationstar Mortgage L.L.C.; Anthony Ciaccio; US Bank Trust National...

The Fifth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a debtor's claim for damages, ruling that no automatic bankruptcy stay existed because the debtor had filed two prior cases within the preceding year that were dismissed. The court held that under 11 U.S.C. § 362(c)(4)(A)(i), the automatic stay is terminated entirely for repeat filers unless a specific motion is made to extend it.

Bankruptcy Civil

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Mar 27 2026

5th Cir. 24-60055 Panel Decision

Arnesen v. Lutnick

The Fifth Circuit held that members of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council are officers under the Appointments Clause due to their veto power over the Secretary of Commerce. The court severed the unconstitutional veto authority and affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment in favor of the government.

Civil Summary Judgment Tax (Civil)

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