Topic
Every decision we've filed under Civil.
The Eleventh Circuit dismissed an appeal sua sponte because the plaintiff filed a notice of appeal before the district court entered any order or judgment. The court held that appellate jurisdiction is strictly limited to final decisions, rendering a premature notice of appeal ineffective.
The Federal Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of attorney's fees to the defendant-appellant, ruling that the patent litigation was not an exceptional case under 35 U.S.C. § 285. The court upheld the lower court's findings that the plaintiff did not engage in inequitable conduct and that the surrounding circumstances did not warrant a fee award.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a district court order approving the sale of condemned condominium property to a stalking horse bidder. The court held that the appellant failed to preserve its due process and procedural objections for appellate review.
The Federal Circuit affirmed a district court's approval of a $125 million settlement resolving a nationwide class action regarding excessive PACER fees. The court held that the district court had jurisdiction under the Little Tucker Act and that the settlement terms, including attorney fees and incentive awards, were fair and reasonable.
The Eleventh Circuit vacated a district court's dismissal of a foreclosure lawsuit, ruling that the lower court erred by applying the Rooker-Feldman doctrine to the entire case without analyzing individual claims. The appellate court held that the plaintiffs' complaint sufficiently alleged federal question jurisdiction through specific statutory violations.
The Federal Circuit lacks statutory authority to hear direct appeals from Social Security Administration decisions. Consequently, the court transferred the case to the United States District Court for the District of Idaho rather than dismissing it.
The Eleventh Circuit dismissed Kevin Lamonte Kelly's appeal sua sponte because his notice of appeal was filed four days past the statutory deadline. The court held that the prison mailbox rule did not save the appeal since the filing date still exceeded the 30-day limit set by federal statute.
The Federal Circuit granted the United States' motion for summary affirmance, upholding the dismissal of Lisa Ann Deweese's complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The court held that the plaintiff failed to state a non-frivolous claim against the federal government because her allegations targeted state-level Child Protective Services agencies.
The Eleventh Circuit vacated a district court order that overturned a jury verdict finding an employer liable for retaliation under 42 U.S.C. § 1981. The appellate court held that the district court erred by failing to view the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party when assessing whether the employee's resignation was voluntary.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment against Tiffany Burnett on her retaliation and Equal Pay Act claims. The court held that Burnett failed to provide evidence beyond conclusory allegations to prove a causal connection between her protected activity and her termination, or that her job duties were substantially similar to those of her comparators.