Maria Santos

Correspondent

Maria Santos

White House correspondent, covers patent, trade and regulatory news

Business & Regulatory patent

Decisions covered by Maria Santos

1,021 decisions
Dec 16 2025
11th Cir. 8:19-cv-01903-TPB-AAS Published

Creative Choice Homes XXX, LLC v. Amtax Holdings 690, LLC

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the removal of general partners from affordable housing limited partnerships after finding their misappropriation of funds constituted a material breach of contract. The court rejected arguments that the removal was an impermissible forfeiture or that the limited partners had waived their rights through prior inaction.

Civil Forfeiture / Penalty
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Dec 11 2025
1st Cir. Nos. 24-1532, 24-1614, 24-1734 Panel Decision

Orkin v. Albert

The First Circuit vacated and remanded a district court judgment in a family business dispute, finding that the lower court failed to properly apply partnership and implied contract principles to the siblings' decade-long conduct. The appellate court held that the siblings' long-standing practice of treating personal expenses as compensation created an implied agreement, requiring a new determination of Orkin's rightful share of Boost Web funds.

Civil Tax (Civil)
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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)
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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)
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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
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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
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Dec 1 2025
11th Cir. 23-12160 Panel Decision

Untitled Opinion

The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit issued an order in a civil matter on December first, two thousand twenty-five. The document indicates an incomplete disposition with no substantive legal reasoning or holding provided in the excerpt.

Civil Other Civil
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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
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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
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