Maria Santos

Correspondent

Maria Santos

White House correspondent, covers patent, trade and regulatory news

Business & Regulatory patent

Decisions covered by Maria Santos

1,023 decisions
Mar 16 2026
7th Cir. 25-1824 Panel Decision

PATRICK M. HARTNETT and DANIEL J. HARTNETT as Successor Trustees of the Lorrayne B. Hartnett Trust dated June 27, 1984 v. JACKSON NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

The Seventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for an insurance company, holding that a Nursing Care Policy does not provide home health care benefits under Illinois regulations. The court ruled that the policy's alternative plan of care provision is discretionary and does not trigger state protections designed for policies that affirmatively guarantee home care.

Civil Securities Summary Judgment
Read summary →
Mar 16 2026
9th Cir. 2:24-cv-00669-KKE Unpublished

John Torsten Loop v. State of Washington; JAMS Mediation Arbitration and ADR Services; Helen L. Halpert Honorable (Retired), JAMS Arbitrator; Bob Ferguson, Washington State Atto...

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se plaintiff's constitutional claims arising from state court arbitration proceedings. The court held that the federal lawsuit constituted a forbidden de facto appeal of the state court judgment under the Rooker-Feldman doctrine, depriving the federal court of subject matter jurisdiction.

Administrative / Agency Review Civil
Read summary →
Mar 16 2026
9th Cir. 2:24-cv-05291-SPG-PD Unpublished

Mocienne Elizabeth Petit Jackson v. Staat der Nederlanden; Pels Rijcken; Staat der Belgium

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se lawsuit against foreign states and a law firm for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The court held that the plaintiff failed to establish federal question jurisdiction, diversity jurisdiction, or an exception to sovereign immunity under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act.

Administrative / Agency Review Civil
Read summary →
Mar 16 2026
9th Cir. 3:24-cv-03457-RS Unpublished

State of California, ex rel. CARNEY ANTHONY PATTON SR. and STATE OF CALIFORNIA v. TRANSDEV SERVICES, INC., improperly captioned as Connex TCT LLC; TRANSDEV NORTH AMERICA, INC

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se qui tam action alleging violations of the California False Claims Act. The court held that the district court acted within its discretion regarding case management, the denial of reconsideration, and the refusal to appoint counsel.

Civil Contract
Read summary →
Mar 13 2026
11th Cir. 1:25-cv-06428-TRJ, Per Curiam

WAYNE LYLE CHUCK CARY v. FULCRUM LOAN HOLDINGS, LLC BAY POINT CAPITAL ADVISORS, II, LP BAY POINT CAPITAL PARTNERS II, LP RONALD LAVENTHAL

The Eleventh Circuit dismissed an appeal challenging a district court's denial of a stay on a real property sale in a bankruptcy case, ruling the order was not final and appealable. The court found the appeal lacked jurisdiction because the order did not meet the finality requirement or any narrow exceptions.

Bankruptcy Civil Mootness
Read summary →
Mar 13 2026
3rd Cir. 25-1128 Panel Decision

Lin-Hendel v. Turner

The Third Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se appeal challenging a mortgage foreclosure involving dozens of defendants. The court held that the appellants forfeited most claims by failing to address them in their brief and that their remaining fraud and RICO allegations were barred by res judicata and the Rooker-Feldman doctrine.

Civil Intellectual Property Res Judicata Standing
Read summary →
Mar 12 2026
Fed. Cir. 25-1541 Panel Decision

TYSHA S. HOLMES v. DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY 2025-1541

The Federal Circuit affirmed the Merit Systems Protection Board's order finding the Department of the Army in compliance with a mandate to halt recoupment of interim relief payments. The court held that substantial evidence supported the agency's explanation of its debt calculations and confirmed that no collection efforts were made for the protected period.

Civil Other Civil
Read summary →
Mar 12 2026
6th Cir. 25-1668 Unanimous

Shepler's Inc. v. City of Mackinac Island

The Sixth Circuit affirmed a preliminary injunction blocking the City of Mackinac Island from regulating ferry parking fees but vacated the portion enjoining the City from regulating ferry rates. The court held that while the City lacks authority to regulate parking under its charter, its broad statutory power to regulate ferry fares and services remains intact pending further litigation.

Antitrust (Civil) Civil
Read summary →