Topic
Every decision we've filed under Contract.
The First Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a tortious interference claim, ruling that the district court properly applied a pending motion to dismiss to an amended complaint. The court held that the amended pleading failed to plausibly allege that the defendant knew of the plaintiff's contract with a third party.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of Harry Gingold's employment-related claims against West Virginia University officials. The appellate court found no reversible error in the lower court's denial of Gingold's motions to alter the judgment or amend his complaint.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court's dismissal of a civil action without prejudice due to a lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The appellate court found no reversible error in the lower court's ruling and dispensed with oral argument.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of Devonte Williams's amended complaint against Capital One Financial Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company. The appellate court found no reversible error in the lower court's acceptance of the magistrate judge's recommendation.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed a district court ruling allowing a breach of contract dispute between joint venture partners to proceed without joining the joint venture entity itself. The court held that the joint venture was not an indispensable party and that one partner's retention of settlement funds violated the joint venture agreement.
The Eighth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se plaintiff's complaint with prejudice due to willful discovery violations. The court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in imposing severe sanctions, including monetary fines, for failing to comply with discovery orders.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of a plaintiff's claims for excess funds from a tax sale, holding that a security deed holder is entitled to those funds under Georgia law. The court determined that statutory language explicitly designates security deed owners as 'owners' eligible for distribution before other claimants.
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 Eleventh Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of sanctions against a plaintiff who dismissed its own case after discovering a lack of diversity jurisdiction. The appellate court held that the plaintiff and its counsel acted negligently rather than in bad faith, which is insufficient to trigger sanctions under federal law.
The Ninth Circuit reversed a district court's denial of a motion to compel arbitration, holding that a severability clause does not negate a clear and unmistakable delegation of validity challenges to an arbitrator. The court ruled that federal law, not state law, governs the interpretation of such delegation clauses under the Federal Arbitration Act.