Feb 13 2026
United States Court… 25-7005 Panel Decision

STABIL LLC v. RUSSIAN FEDERATION

The D.C. Circuit affirmed that the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act permits U.S. courts to enforce arbitral awards against the Russian Federation for the expropriation of Ukrainian assets in Crimea. The court held that Russia's waiver of immunity under the New York Convention and the FSIA's arbitration exception precludes its immunity defense, even absent direct commercial contacts with the United States.

Feb 13 2026
7th Cir. 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.

Feb 12 2026
7th Cir. 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.

Feb 11 2026
9th Cir. 17-70849 Unpublished

Torres-De Hernandez v. Bondi

The Ninth Circuit denied the petition for review, holding that substantial evidence supports the denial of asylum, withholding of removal, and Convention Against Torture relief. The court found the petitioner's threats insufficient to constitute past persecution and ruled that she forfeited her proposed social group claims by failing to properly argue them.

Feb 11 2026
7th Cir. 24-1258 Panel Decision

Great West Casualty Co. v. Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance Co.

The Seventh Circuit affirmed a district court ruling that two commercial liability insurance policies covering a tractor-trailer involved in a fatal collision share equal payment priority. The court held that neither insurer holds superior rights to primary coverage under Illinois law, rejecting arguments for a 'super excess' tier.

Feb 11 2026
11th Cir. 8:20-cv-00936-KKM-AAS Published

O'Neal v. American Shaman Franchise Systems, Inc.

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a franchisee's fraudulent transfer claims, holding that a settlement agreement barring non-FLSA claims remains enforceable even if the FLSA claims within it lacked required court approval. The court clarified that while the Fair Labor Standards Act mandates judicial or Department of Labor oversight for wage claims, state contract law governs the release of all other claims settled in the same agreement.

Feb 11 2026
9th Cir. 2:23-cv-00031- Published

Cox v. Gritman Medical Center

The Ninth Circuit reversed a district court's dismissal for lack of personal jurisdiction, holding that Idaho-based medical providers purposefully availed themselves of Washington law by treating a Washington resident and transmitting prescriptions to Washington pharmacies. The court also affirmed that venue was proper in the Eastern District of Washington because a substantial part of the events giving rise to the wrongful-death claims occurred there.