Topic

Civil

Every decision we've filed under Civil.

SAT Agiyar, LLC v. 7-Eleven, Inc.

The Third Circuit affirmed summary judgment for 7-Eleven in a franchise dispute, ruling that the franchisor had valid grounds to rescind the agreement due to the franchisee's failure to maintain required net worth and operate as a 24-hour store. The court further held that 7-Eleven's refusal to permanently waive penalty fees did not violate the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

Civil Contract Summary Judgment

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Mar 4 2026

10th Cir. 2:19-CV-02147-TC Panel Decision

MARK ENSMINGER v. CREDIT LAW CENTER, LLC

The Tenth Circuit affirmed summary judgment, holding that a plaintiff lacked Article III standing to sue for a Credit Repair Organization Act violation because he received services worth more than his advance payment before the payment was collected. The court ruled that a statutory violation alone does not create a concrete injury when the consumer has already received the full value of the bargain.

Civil Securities Summary Judgment

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Mar 4 2026

3rd Cir. 26-1444 Panel Decision

In re LIGADO NETWORKS LLC, ET AL. Debtors LIGADO NETWORKS LLC Debtor-Appellant in 26-1444

The Third Circuit vacated a District Court stay that blocked Ligado Networks from enforcing a bankruptcy-approved agreement with AST & Science regarding spectrum rights. The appellate court held that the District Court abused its discretion by misinterpreting the contract and failing to recognize the irreparable harm Ligado would suffer from missing critical FCC deadlines.

Civil Environmental (Civil)

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Mar 4 2026

3rd Cir. 24-2777 Panel Decision

MICHAEL D. PENDERGRASS v. COMMISSIONER SOCIAL SECURITY

The Third Circuit affirmed the denial of Social Security disability benefits to Michael Pendergrass, ruling that substantial evidence supported the Administrative Law Judge's finding that Pendergrass was not disabled. The court held that the ALJ properly weighed medical evidence and considered Pendergrass's inconsistent treatment history in determining his residual functional capacity.

Civil Social Security

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Mar 3 2026

3rd Cir. 2:24-cv-00959 Panel Decision

RP Wynstone LP v. Township of New Hanover

The Third Circuit affirmed the dismissal of real estate developers' federal civil rights claims against a Pennsylvania township, ruling that the allegations were barred by the statute of limitations. The court further held that the specific acts alleged did not meet the high legal thresholds required for substantive due process or equal protection violations.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Statute of Limitations

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Mar 3 2026

3rd Cir. 24-2816 Panel Decision

JOHN WAYNE v. JOHN E. WETZEL; GEORGE LITTLE; TABB BICKELL; MICHAEL CLARK; LEE ESTOCK; DEREK F. OBERLANDER; JAIME SORBER; TAMMY FERGUSON; SECRETARY PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF COR...

The Third Circuit affirmed summary judgment for prison officials against an inmate's Eighth Amendment claim regarding his placement on the Restricted Release List. The court held that the inmate's documented history of violence and ongoing misconduct provided a legitimate penological justification for his continued restricted housing.

Civil Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner Summary Judgment

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Mar 3 2026

3rd Cir. 25-1762 Panel Decision

EUGENIA VERONICA TENECOTA-VELASQUEZ v. ATTORNEY GENERAL, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The Third Circuit affirmed the denial of asylum and withholding of removal because the petitioner failed to prove she was unable to leave her abusive relationship. The court also dismissed her Convention Against Torture claim because she did not exhaust the issue before the Board of Immigration Appeals.

Civil Immigration (Civil)

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Mar 3 2026

9th Cir. 25-851 Unpublished

Maria Magdalena Perez De Lopez; Jose Noel Lopez Perez v. Pamela Bondi, Attorney General

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of asylum, withholding of removal, and Convention Against Torture relief to two Salvadoran nationals. The court held that substantial evidence supported the agency's findings that the petitioners failed to prove past persecution, a well-founded fear of future persecution, or eligibility under a cognizable particular social group.

Civil Immigration (Civil)

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Mar 3 2026

3rd Cir. 2:22-cv-02364 Panel Decision

INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE INDUSTRIES, LLC v. INTERNATIONAL PAINTERS AND ALLIED TRADES INDUSTRY PENSION FUND, A

The Third Circuit affirmed a district court ruling that barred a pension fund from collecting withdrawal liability because it failed to notify the employer as soon as practicable. The court held that this timeliness requirement is an independent statutory element of the claim, not a waivable defense subject to mandatory arbitration.

Civil ERISA / Employee Benefits Labor Summary Judgment

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Mar 3 2026

9th Cir. 23-2946 Published

Center for Biological Diversity v. United States Environmental Protection Agency

The Ninth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for the Center for Biological Diversity, holding that the Environmental Protection Agency violated the Endangered Species Act by failing to consult before issuing cadmium water quality recommendations. The court found the plaintiff had standing because the EPA's non-binding recommendations predictably influence state water standards, causing concrete injury to listed species.

Civil Environmental (Civil) Standing Summary Judgment

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