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.

Mar 16 2026
25-1413 Panel Decision

State of New York v. Trump

The First Circuit affirmed a preliminary injunction blocking a categorical freeze of federal financial assistance by federal agencies but vacated the portion of the order mandating immediate disbursement of funds. The court held that while the freeze was likely arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act, the district court lacked jurisdiction under the Tucker Act to order direct monetary payments for contractual grant obligations.

Civil Labor Preliminary Injunction
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Mar 16 2026
25-1236 Panel Decision

State of New York v. Trump

The First Circuit affirmed a preliminary injunction blocking the federal government's categorical freeze on obligated financial assistance to states, ruling the action arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act. The court vacated the portion of the injunction requiring direct monetary payments, citing the Supreme Court's recent rulings on the Tucker Act and sovereign immunity.

Civil Labor Standing
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Mar 11 2026
24-1297 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JACOB PARLIN

The First Circuit affirmed Jacob Parlin's conviction for drug distribution and conspiracy, ruling that any error in admitting a police officer's lay testimony regarding drug quantities was harmless. The court held that wiretapped conversations and the sheer volume of methamphetamine provided sufficient evidence of intent to distribute independent of the officer's testimony.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Mar 10 2026
25-1448 Panel Decision

CLARIXA MALDONADO-RUIZ v. PAMELA J. BONDI Attorney General

The First Circuit denied a petition for review of an asylum denial, ruling that the petitioner failed to prove past persecution or a sufficient causal link between the harm she suffered and her claimed sexual orientation. The court further held that the petitioner did not demonstrate that the Honduran government was unwilling or unable to protect her from private actors.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Mar 4 2026
24-1996 Panel Decision

PAUL PERRUZZI; JEREMIAH SULLIVAN v. CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY; SNYDER'S-LANCE, INC

The First Circuit vacated and remanded a district court order that administratively closed a case without addressing the plaintiffs' claim that the Federal Arbitration Act exempts transportation workers from mandatory arbitration. The appellate court held that the lower court must explicitly rule on the Section 1 exemption argument before determining whether to stay or close the proceedings.

Civil Civil Rights - Voting
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Mar 4 2026
25-1312 Panel Decision

JOHN B. CRUZ CONSTRUCTION CO., INC v. BEACON COMMUNITIES CORP.; BEACON COMMUNITIES SERVICES LLC; BEACON LENOX LLC; BEACON LENOX 2 LLC

The First Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment to Beacon Communities, ruling that insufficient evidence supported claims of a breached oral promise or racial discrimination. The court held that the record failed to establish an enforceable contract or prove that race was a but-for cause of the plaintiff's exclusion from the Lenox project.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Summary Judgment
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Mar 2 2026
25-1265 Panel Decision

City of Boston v. OptumRx, Inc.

The First Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Boston's public nuisance lawsuit against pharmacy benefit managers, ruling the claims were barred by the three-year statute of limitations. The court held that the City had actual knowledge of the alleged wrongdoing well before 2021, precluding tolling under the fraudulent concealment doctrine.

Civil Consumer Protection Statute of Limitations
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Mar 2 2026
25-1258 Panel Decision

City of Boston v. OptumRx, Inc.

The First Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Boston's public nuisance lawsuit against pharmacy benefit managers, ruling the claim was barred by the three-year statute of limitations. The court held that the City had actual knowledge of the alleged wrongdoing well before the filing deadline and failed to plead a continuing nuisance theory under Massachusetts law.

Civil Consumer Protection Statute of Limitations
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Feb 27 2026
25-1249 Panel Decision

IN RE: STEVEN T. SAVAGE; VIRGINIA A. SAVAGE Debtors COASTAL CAPITAL, LLC v. STEVEN T. SAVAGE; VIRGINIA A. SAVAGE

The First Circuit affirmed the denial of a Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharge for the Savages because they failed to satisfactorily explain the disposition of assets received from their company prior to filing. The court rejected the argument that only substantial asset losses or those sufficient to pay all liabilities require explanation under the Bankruptcy Code.

Civil Tax (Civil)
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