Every decision we've summarized from United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
The D.C. Circuit vacated a district court ruling that denied Bopp Law Firm's motion to enforce an equitable charging lien on attorney fee awards. The appellate court held that the lower court erred by requiring the firm to satisfy two separate legal tests when Indiana law only requires satisfying one.
The D.C. Circuit affirmed summary judgment for the State Department, ruling that it provided reasonable accommodations and that its decision not to renew a fellow's position was based on legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons. The court found no evidence of pretext or bad faith in the interactive process required under the Rehabilitation Act.
The D.C. Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a challenge to the State Department's handling of Diversity Immigrant Visa applications for fiscal year 2021. The court held that federal courts lack the authority to order the agency to adjudicate visas after the statutory fiscal year has expired, rendering such claims moot and lacking standing.
The D.C. Circuit affirmed summary judgment for WMATA, holding that a passenger must present expert testimony to prove the standard of care for train operators. The court ruled that the duty to warn passengers during berthing adjustments is beyond the common knowledge of lay jurors.
The D.C. Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se plaintiff's claims challenging actions by judges of another federal district. The court held that federal courts lack subject-matter jurisdiction to review the decisions of other federal judges and that the complaint failed to state a claim due to redundancy and insufficient factual allegations.
The D.C. Circuit affirmed the denial of Deenvaughn Rowe's claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, ruling that he failed to prove prejudice under the Strickland standard. The court held that even if trial counsel had pursued additional witnesses or investigated further, the overwhelming evidence of Rowe's guilt would likely have resulted in the same conviction.
The D.C. Circuit denied the World Shipping Council's petition to overturn the Federal Maritime Commission's new rule defining unreasonable refusals to deal regarding vessel space. The court held that the Commission acted within its statutory authority under the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 and provided a reasoned explanation for its regulatory choices.