Topic

Summary Judgment

Every decision we've filed under Summary Judgment.

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. 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 2 2026

3rd Cir. 3:22-cv-04476 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ALBERT BOUFARAH

The Third Circuit affirmed summary judgment for the Government in a federal tax collection suit, ruling that IRS transcripts containing minor clerical errors remain admissible to prove tax liability. The court held that the evidence was sufficient to show the taxpayer's installment agreements had terminated months before the lawsuit was filed.

Civil Summary Judgment Tax (Civil)

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Mar 2 2026

3rd Cir. 24-3311 Panel Decision

R. S., by and through his parents; M. S.; N. S., in their own right v. EAST BRUNSWICK SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Third Circuit affirmed the District Court's grant of summary judgment for the East Brunswick School District, holding that the district provided a Free Appropriate Public Education to a student with Down Syndrome. The court ruled that placing the student in a self-contained classroom for specific subjects was necessary because he could not be educated satisfactorily in a general education setting despite extensive supplementary supports.

Civil Civil Rights - Education Summary Judgment

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Mar 2 2026

3rd Cir. 24-2649 Panel Decision

Aakash Dalal v. John L. Molinelli, et al.

The Third Circuit affirmed summary judgment for law enforcement and prosecutors in a civil rights suit alleging a conspiracy to manufacture false charges. The court held that the plaintiff failed to provide persuasive evidence that the government fabricated evidence or lacked probable cause for his prosecution.

Criminal Qualified Immunity Summary Judgment Violent Crimes

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Mar 2 2026

7th Cir. 22-1082 Panel Decision

CROTHERSVILLE LIGHTHOUSE TABERNACLE CHURCH, INCORPORATED v. CHURCH MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY, S.I

The Seventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for an insurer, holding that a church breached its policy by delaying repairs for two years while disputing cost estimates. The court ruled that the contractual obligation to rebuild 'as soon as reasonably possible' is a strict condition precedent that cannot be bypassed by valuation disputes.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241) Summary Judgment

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Mar 2 2026

6th Cir. 25-1205 Published

SCOTT W. WILLIAMS v. ADDISON COMMUNITY SCHOOLS; JOSH PERRY; MICHAEL MURPHY; JENNIFER FROST; ANDREA WOODRING; KIM FORD; STEVE GUERRA

The Sixth Circuit vacated a district court's decision to adjudicate a novel state constitutional tort claim after dismissing all federal claims. The appellate court held that the lower court abused its discretion by exercising supplemental jurisdiction over a complex, unique provision of the Michigan Constitution.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Summary Judgment

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Mar 2 2026

10th Cir. 4:21-CV-00026-DN-PK) Panel Decision

DANYALE BLACKMORE and VINCENT BLACKMORE v. JARED CARLSON; ERIC DEMILLE; HURRICANE CITY and LA-NORMA RAMIREZ; WASHINGTON COUNTY

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the district court's summary judgment on an unlawful seizure claim because the appellant failed to challenge one of three independent alternative grounds supporting the ruling. The court also affirmed the dismissal of an excessive force claim, holding that the law was not clearly established at the time of the incident.

Constitutional Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Qualified Immunity Summary Judgment

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Mar 2 2026

10th Cir. 1:23-CV-00811-JB-JFR Panel Decision

DONALD SOUSA v. CHIPOTLE SERVICES, LLC

The Tenth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Chipotle, ruling that the plaintiff failed to provide sufficient evidence of pretext to support his age discrimination claim under the New Mexico Human Rights Act. The court held that the employer's stated reasons for termination—persistent pest infestations and widespread cleanliness failures—were legitimate and not a cover for age-based discrimination.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Summary Judgment

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Feb 26 2026

7th Cir. 24-1252 Panel Decision

Steinhoff v. Malovrh

The Seventh Circuit affirmed qualified immunity for the officer who tackled a suspect during a drug raid but reversed the immunity grant for a second officer whose rifle struck the suspect's head. The court held that disputed facts regarding whether the blow was intentional or accidental preclude summary judgment on the excessive force claim.

Criminal Qualified Immunity Robbery & Extortion Summary Judgment

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