United States Court…

United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

Every decision we've summarized from United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Jul 16 2024
23-1069 Panel Decision

HEALTHY GULF v. FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION COMMONWEALTH LNG, LLC Consolidated with 23-1071

The D.C. Circuit vacated and remanded the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's authorization of a Louisiana LNG facility for failing to adequately explain its decision not to assess greenhouse gas significance and for inadequately analyzing cumulative nitrogen dioxide effects. However, the court denied the petitioners' request to vacate the order entirely, allowing the project to proceed while FERC corrects the identified environmental deficiencies.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Jul 16 2024
22-5231 Panel Decision

BARBARA KOWAL v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

The D.C. Circuit affirmed summary judgment for federal law enforcement agencies in two Freedom of Information Act lawsuits, ruling that their searches for records regarding death row inmate Daniel Troya were adequate. The court further held that the agencies properly withheld documents under multiple FOIA exemptions to protect privacy, confidential sources, and law enforcement techniques.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Summary Judgment
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Jun 26 2024
24-7028 Panel Decision

Qtaish v. Washington D.C.

The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit affirmed a district court dismissal of a complaint for failing to meet pleading standards. The court held that the appellant failed to provide a short and plain statement of the claim required under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure eight comma a.

Administrative / Agency Review Civil
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Jun 26 2024
24-5025 Panel Decision

Crum v. United States

The D.C. Circuit dismissed a petition for a writ of mandamus, holding that the All Writs Act does not grant jurisdiction to intervene in a closed case where the appellate court lacks authority to review the underlying state court decisions. The court further affirmed the district court's denial of leave to file new documents, ruling that the lower court did not abuse its discretion in managing its docket.

Administrative / Agency Review Civil
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Jun 21 2024
23-1044 Panel Decision

JOHN DOE v. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

The D.C. Circuit affirmed the SEC's denial of a whistleblower award to an attorney who reported his own client, holding that the disclosure was not reasonably necessary to serve the client's interests. The court reasoned that because the attorney suspected wrongdoing and intended for the tip to trigger an investigation against his client, the disclosure failed the regulatory requirement that such reports be permitted by applicable state bar rules.

Civil Immigration (Civil) Securities
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Jun 14 2024
22-3068 Panel Decision

United States v. Lutamila

The D.C. Circuit affirmed a below-guidelines sentence for bank fraud, holding that the defendant forfeited his challenge to the loss calculation by failing to object when the district court confirmed the guideline range. The court found no plain error in calculating loss as the total amount stolen rather than the net amount remaining after recovery.

Criminal Fraud Guidelines Departure Sentencing Guidelines
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Jun 4 2024
23-1239 Panel Decision

TRENTON PALMER v. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, ADMINISTRATOR AND NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD

The D.C. Circuit denied a petition for review of an NTSB order affirming a pilot's violation of federal aviation regulations for flying below minimum safe altitudes. The court rejected the pilot's arguments regarding alleged ALJ errors, insufficient notice in the complaint, and a request to overrule prior precedent on sanction deference.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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