5th Cir.

United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

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

Apr 2 2026
25-20062 Per Curiam

Brown v. American First National Bank

The Fifth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for American First National Bank, ruling that the Browns failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove racial discrimination under 42 U.S.C. § 1981. The court held that the plaintiffs' allegations were speculative and did not allow a reasonable jury to infer that the bank's refusal to open accounts was motivated by race rather than legitimate business concerns.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Summary Judgment
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Apr 2 2026
25-10489 Panel Decision

Porch.com Plaintiff— v. Gallagher Re, Incorporated, formerly known as Willis Re Defendant—

The Fifth Circuit reversed the dismissal of Porch.com's breach of contract claims against Gallagher Re, holding that the district court erred by resolving factual disputes regarding the broker's post-placement administrative duties. The appellate court affirmed the dismissal of claims related to record retention and sanctions compliance but remanded the case to allow a jury to determine if Gallagher failed to properly administer reserve funding and collateral verification.

Bankruptcy Civil Contract
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Apr 2 2026
24-60622 Per Curiam

United States v. Shepherd

The Fifth Circuit affirmed William Robert Shepherd III's conviction for possessing an unregistered short-barreled shotgun, ruling that his Second Amendment challenges are foreclosed by controlling precedent. The court held that because the statute remains constitutional as applied to short-barreled shotguns, Shepherd's facial challenge to the law must also fail.

Criminal Firearms Supervised Release
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Apr 2 2026
25-40363 Per Curiam

United States of America Plaintiff— v. Noel Mercado Defendant—

The Fifth Circuit remanded the case to correct a clerical error in the Presentence Investigation Report that retained an inapplicable obstruction of justice enhancement. The court ordered the district court to amend the record to ensure official documents accurately reflect the sentencing proceedings without altering the defendant's conviction or sentence.

Criminal Obstruction of Justice Sentencing Guidelines
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Apr 2 2026
25-10292 Per Curiam

United States v. Ealey

The Fifth Circuit granted appointed counsel's motion to withdraw after finding no nonfrivolous issues for appeal. The court dismissed the appeal, leaving the underlying conviction intact without oral argument.

Anders Brief Criminal
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Apr 1 2026
24-60277 Per Curiam

United States of America Plaintiff— v. Toshemie Wilson Defendant—

The Fifth Circuit affirmed Toshemie Wilson's conviction for sexually exploiting children, rejecting arguments that a lay witness improperly offered expert testimony and that the evidence was insufficient. The court held that Agent Blythe's testimony regarding device origins and data extraction fell within permissible lay knowledge under Federal Rule of Evidence 701.

Criminal Supervised Release
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Apr 1 2026
25-30509 Per Curiam

Rachel E. Goodley v. Supreme Rice, L.L.C.

The Fifth Circuit affirmed summary judgment, holding that Louisiana's workers' compensation statute provides the exclusive remedy for a federal inspector injured while performing duties under a contract service agreement. The court ruled that the exporter was a statutory employer under the two-contract defense, thereby barring the inspector's tort claims against the company.

Civil Insurance Summary Judgment
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Apr 1 2026
25-20133 Per Curiam

Mark Vasquez Plaintiff— v. CIMA Services, L.P.; Lubrizol Advanced Materials, Inc.; The Lubrizol Corporation Defendants—

The Fifth Circuit affirmed summary judgment because the plaintiff failed to timely oppose the defendant's motion despite prior warnings and multiple continuances. The court held that the district court acted within its discretion to deny the emergency filing request and treat the motion as unopposed under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56.

Civil Summary Judgment Tort / Personal Injury
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Apr 1 2026
25-10387 Per Curiam

Securities and Exchange Commission v. Robert Allen Stanford

The Fifth Circuit affirmed summary judgment against Robert Allen Stanford, holding that his prior criminal convictions established civil liability under federal securities laws through collateral estoppel. The court found Stanford forfeited all substantive challenges to jurisdiction and the definition of certificates of deposit by failing to raise them at the summary-judgment stage.

Civil Forfeiture / Penalty Securities Summary Judgment
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