Decisions

Every decision we've summarized — searchable, filterable, neutral.

Feb 17 2026
United States Court… 24-5276 Panel Decision

PATRICK LENZ, DR., EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE OF HARRY S. STONEHILL v. INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE

The D.C. Circuit affirmed the denial of a motion to vacate a 2008 FOIA judgment, ruling that the movant failed to prove fraud on the court by clear and convincing evidence. The court also upheld the lower court's decision to treat the motion as untimely under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b)(3).

Feb 17 2026
7th Cir. 24-2577 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. MONISHA RHODES

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the denial of Monisha Rhodes's motion for compassionate release, ruling that statutory sentencing factors weighed against relief despite her caregiving circumstances. The court held that the district court properly considered her extensive criminal history and the need to protect the public from further crimes.

Feb 17 2026
7th Cir. 25-1541 Panel Decision

FELIPE N. GOMEZ Debtor- v. LARRY WEISENTHAL and CONSTANCE WEISENTHAL

The Seventh Circuit affirmed a lower court ruling denying a Chapter 7 debtor's request to dismiss an adversary proceeding after the bankruptcy trustee had already settled the case. The court held that the debtor lacked standing to control the litigation because the estate's liabilities vastly exceeded its assets, leaving no realistic prospect of a surplus for the debtor.

Feb 17 2026
7th Cir. 24-2774 Panel Decision

EDWARD L. ASH v. CITY OF AURORA

The Seventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for the City of Aurora and its officers, ruling that the plaintiff's Fourth Amendment claims were either time-barred or defeated by the existence of probable cause. The court held that a state judge's finding of probable cause to charge the plaintiff with a weapon offense provided an absolute defense to his civil rights lawsuit, regardless of his subsequent acquittal.

Feb 17 2026
11th Cir. 5:11-cr-00023-MW-GRJ-1 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. RUFINO ROBELO-GALO

The Eleventh Circuit established a new standard for compassionate release, requiring inmates to prove that no other person is both qualified and free to care for an incapacitated family member. Applying this rule, the court affirmed the denial of Rufino Robelo-Galo's petition because his son was found to be an available alternative caregiver.

Feb 13 2026
1st Cir. 24-1397 Panel Decision

Soscia Holdings, LLC v. State of Rhode Island

The First Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Soscia Holdings' federal constitutional and statutory claims against state officials, upholding Eleventh Amendment immunity for the State and qualified immunity for individual defendants. The court sustained the district court's dismissal of remaining federal claims arising from a civil penalty assessment under the state Permitting Act.

Feb 13 2026
9th Cir. 25-1803 Unpublished

Carlos Mauricio Arevalo-Montano; K. S. A.-N.; E. T. M. N.; K. N. A.-N v. Pamela Bondi, Attorney General

The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals decision rejecting asylum claims for an El Salvadoran father and his three children. The court held that the proposed social groups of Uber drivers and the Arevalo-Montano family failed to meet the legal requirements for cognizability and nexus to protected grounds.

Feb 13 2026
United States Court… 25-7003 Panel Decision

Mohammad Hilmi Nassif & Partners v. Republic of Iraq: Mohammad Hilmi Nassif & Partners v. Republic of Iraq

The D.C. Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a suit seeking recognition of a Jordanian judgment against Iraq, holding that the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act provides the sole basis for jurisdiction over foreign states. The court found that neither an explicit waiver nor the commercial activity exception applied to the underlying debt dispute.

Feb 13 2026
United States Court… 24-5237 Panel Decision

EB5 HOLDINGS INC., ET AL. v. JOSEPH EDLOW, DIRECTOR, UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES

The D.C. Circuit affirmed that regional centers participating in the EB-5 visa program must pay the annual Integrity Fund fee, regardless of whether they were designated before the 2022 statutory overhaul. The court held that the statutory term 'designated' describes a current status of authorization rather than the specific historical moment of designation.