1st Cir.

United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

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

Jan 22 2026
25-1275 Panel Decision

JOHN T. KOLACKOVSKY; ZENAS B. SEPPALA; ANNE HYDE; ROBERT SONIA; JONATHAN RING; TIM ROSE; RAY THURSBY; DEE OLIBERIO; CALANDRA SALO; LARY SALO; CASSI HOHENWARTER v. TOWN OF ROCKPORT

The First Circuit affirmed the dismissal of residents' constitutional and statutory challenges to a new zoning district because they failed to allege specific, concrete injuries required for Article III standing. The court held that vague assertions about potential property value changes and generalized grievances were insufficient to establish a personal stake in the outcome.

Civil Civil Rights - Voting Standing
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Jan 21 2026
24-1488 Panel Decision

ARLETA MONGUE v. THE WHEATLEIGH CORPORATION; L. LINFIELD SIMON; SUSAN SIMON; MARC WILHELM

The First Circuit affirmed a district court order enforcing a global settlement resolving Fair Labor Standards Act and state wage claims against a luxury hotel. The court held that a single attorney could simultaneously represent individual plaintiffs and a certified class in negotiating the deal without creating a disqualifying conflict of interest.

Civil Labor
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Jan 21 2026
25-1126 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES v. STAVROS PAPANTONIADIS

The First Circuit affirmed the convictions of a Massachusetts pizzeria owner for forced labor, ruling that a pattern of physical abuse and threats of deportation against undocumented workers satisfied the statutory elements of coercion. The court also upheld the defendant's 102-month sentence, rejecting challenges to evidentiary rulings and sentencing enhancements.

Criminal Sentencing Guidelines Supervised Release Violent Crimes
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Jan 16 2026
23-1922 Panel Decision

Clemente Properties, Inc. v. Pierluisi-Urrutia

The First Circuit vacated the dismissal of trademark claims against individual Puerto Rico officials while affirming the dismissal of claims against the Commonwealth itself. The court held that license plates and registration tags constitute goods or services under the Lanham Act, rejecting the lower court's conclusion that government issuance precludes commercial use.

Criminal Qualified Immunity Robbery & Extortion
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Jan 16 2026
24-1746 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES v. ONIC MALDONADO-VELAZQUEZ

The First Circuit affirmed a ninety-six-month sentence for possessing machine guns and being a felon in possession of firearms, rejecting the defendant's claim that the district court failed to adequately explain an upward variance. The court held that the district court provided a plausible rationale based on the severity of the offenses, the defendant's criminal history, and the specific circumstances of the arrest.

Criminal Firearms Sentencing Guidelines Supervised Release
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Jan 14 2026
24-2076 Panel Decision

United States v. Christian Del-Valle-Camacho

The First Circuit affirmed a sixty-month prison sentence for a felon in possession of a firearm and escape from a re-entry program. The court held that the district judge provided sufficient justification for a nineteen-month upward variance based on the defendant's possession of a modified machine gun, high-capacity magazines, and a large quantity of ammunition.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines
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Jan 14 2026
24-2077 Panel Decision

United States v. Christian Del-Valle-Camacho

The First Circuit affirmed a sixty-month prison sentence for a felon in possession of a firearm and escape from a re-entry program, rejecting the defendant's claim that the district court failed to justify a nineteen-month upward variance. The appellate court held that the district judge provided sufficient reasoning by highlighting the defendant's possession of a modified machine gun, high-capacity magazines, and a large quantity of ammunition.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines
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Jan 14 2026
24-1832 Panel Decision

J.S.H v. ALICE NEWTON; MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL

The First Circuit affirmed summary judgment for a doctor and hospital, ruling that a mother failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove disability discrimination or negligent infliction of emotional distress. The court held that the plaintiff could not establish that the defendants' actions were motivated by discriminatory intent rather than legitimate medical concerns regarding suspected child abuse.

Civil Civil Rights - ADA / Other Summary Judgment
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Jan 7 2026
24-1881 Panel Decision

United States v. Mello

The First Circuit affirmed Marcus Mello's 181-month sentence for drug trafficking and firearm possession, rejecting his challenges to the drug quantity calculation and sentencing enhancements. The court held that the district court reasonably relied on WhatsApp messages and seized samples to estimate drug weight and properly denied acceptance of responsibility due to Mello's failure to appear for trial.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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