Mar 31 2026
4th Cir. 24-1708 Panel Decision

ROD JENKINS v. VALLEY HEALTH SYSTEM

The Fourth Circuit reversed the district court's dismissal of a Title VII failure-to-accommodate claim, holding that the plaintiff's objections to fetal cell therapy and constitutional rights plausibly established a sincerely held religious belief. The court clarified that an employee need not provide a detailed theological treatise to satisfy the pleading standard if they assert a common religious objection within a formal accommodation request.

Mar 31 2026
9th Cir. 3:19-cv-07901-TLT Unpublished

Salhotra v. Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.

The Ninth Circuit vacated a district court judgment on the pleadings and remanded with instructions to dismiss the case for lack of subject matter jurisdiction because the plaintiffs failed to establish Article III standing. The court affirmed a Rule 11 sanctions order against the appellants, finding the complaint legally and factually baseless.

Mar 31 2026
11th Cir. 8:24-cv-01528-SDM-AEP Per Curiam

JAMES M. HEYWARD v. DIANA MORELAND

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a federal lawsuit challenging a state court foreclosure judgment, ruling that the Rooker-Feldman doctrine bars federal courts from acting as appellate bodies over state court decisions. The court further held that absolute judicial immunity protects state judges from liability for official acts, even when the plaintiff alleges the judge lacked a proper oath of office.

Mar 31 2026
4th Cir. 25-1054 Panel Decision

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America v. McCuskey

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a preliminary injunction blocking a West Virginia statute that sought to force drug manufacturers to deliver discounted drugs to unlimited contract pharmacies. The court held that the state law likely preempts the federal 340B program by impermissibly altering the spending-power bargain struck by Congress.

Mar 31 2026
U.S. Sup. Ct. 24-539 9-0

Chiles v. Salazar

The Supreme Court held that Colorado's ban on conversion therapy, as applied to licensed talk therapists, constitutes unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination in violation of the First Amendment. The Court reversed the lower courts, ruling that the state law impermissibly prescribes what views counselors may express to clients rather than merely regulating professional conduct.

Mar 31 2026
11th Cir. 4:23-cv-00019-TKW-MAF Per Curiam

KENNETH MARK POHLMANN v. LISA NOLES AMELIA HILL

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for a prison nurse, ruling that her management of an inmate's irritable bowel syndrome did not constitute deliberate indifference under the Eighth Amendment. The court held that the record demonstrated consistent medical evaluation and treatment, distinguishing a disagreement over care from constitutional violation.

Mar 31 2026
Fed. Cir. 24-2228 Panel Decision

Manufacturing Resources International, Inc. v. Squires

The Federal Circuit affirmed the Patent Trial and Appeal Board's determination that Manufacturing Resources International's cooling system claims were unpatentable for obviousness. The court upheld the Board's finding that prior art disclosed the claimed constricted convection plate and that the patent owner failed to establish a nexus for its objective indicia of nonobviousness.

Mar 31 2026
11th Cir. 1:24-cv-00021-MW-MAF Per Curiam

JOSHUA I. MARTINEZ v. MAYO CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION SECRETARY, FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a prisoner's Equal Protection claim challenging a prison policy delaying sex-offender therapy eligibility. The court held that the plaintiff failed to plead sufficient factual allegations to show invidious discrimination or that he was similarly situated to other prisoners who received more favorable treatment.