7th Cir.

United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

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

Feb 13 2026
24-2962 Panel Decision

ARTURO SOLIS v. STEVEN MERENDINO, Warden

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the denial of a federal prisoner's habeas petition, holding that the Ex Post Facto Clause does not prohibit applying an amended statute that extends the time period for collecting criminal fines. The court ruled that because the original liability period had not expired when the law changed, the amendment did not constitute retroactive punishment.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241)
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Feb 13 2026
24-1042 Panel Decision

JIM ROSE and ANITA GIAN v. MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC, et al

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the district court's order compelling arbitration, holding that the plaintiffs agreed to the mandatory arbitration clause by confirming their subscription with a customer service representative. The court found that the company's protocol provided sufficient notice of the terms, and the plaintiffs' failure to recall the specific interaction was insufficient to rebut the presumption of notice.

Civil Securities
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Feb 13 2026
25-1796 Panel Decision

Justin Mahwikizi v. Uber Technologies, Inc. and Rasier, LLC

The Seventh Circuit affirmed a district court's dismissal of a plaintiff's lawsuit for failure to prosecute after he refused to comply with an order compelling arbitration. The court held that the interlocutory order to arbitrate did not merge into the final dismissal, leaving the appellate court without jurisdiction to review the arbitration ruling.

Civil Contract
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Feb 12 2026
25-2779 Panel Decision

WILLIAM CLYDE GIBSON III v. RON NEAL

The Seventh Circuit reversed a district court order transporting a death row inmate for mental health testing, holding that the All Writs Act does not authorize such measures without a sufficient nexus to a specific claim for relief. The court found the petitioner failed to demonstrate how the requested brain scans would be admissible evidence to support his equitable tolling argument.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241) Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254) Sixth Amendment - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
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Feb 12 2026
22-3212 Panel Decision

JENNIFER SHIRK v. TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY, et al

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the grant of summary judgment, holding that an employee failed to prove causation for her FMLA and Rehabilitation Act retaliation claims. The court found that the university's decision to terminate the plaintiff was based on her insubordinate emails to senior leadership, not her protected medical leave or accommodation requests.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Summary Judgment
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