11th Circuit Case Commentaries

No Second Bite at the Apple: Eleventh Circuit Reaffirms Broad Discretion to Deny Post‑Judgment Amendments that Unduly Prejudice Defendants

Date: Nov 28, 2025

No Second Bite at the Apple: Eleventh Circuit Reaffirms Broad Discretion to Deny Post‑Judgment Amendments that Unduly Prejudice Defendants I. Introduction This commentary examines the Eleventh...

Clarifying Federal-Sector Title VII and COVID-19 Mask Accommodations under the Rehabilitation Act: Commentary on Laura Dang v. Postmaster General (11th Cir. 2025)

Date: Nov 28, 2025

Clarifying Federal-Sector Title VII and COVID-19 Mask Accommodations under the Rehabilitation Act: Commentary on Laura Dang v. Postmaster General (11th Cir. 2025) I. Introduction This unpublished,...

Reaffirming the Admissibility of Prior Failure‑to‑Register Convictions and Intrinsic Flight Evidence in SORNA Prosecutions: Commentary on United States v. Fuertes

Date: Nov 28, 2025

Reaffirming the Admissibility of Prior Failure‑to‑Register Convictions and Intrinsic Flight Evidence in SORNA Prosecutions: A Comprehensive Commentary on United States v. Fuertes (11th Cir. Nov. 24,...

United States v. Lara: District Court Discretion to Deny Amendment 821 “Zero‑Point Offender” Reductions on § 3553(a) Grounds Alone

Date: Nov 28, 2025

United States v. Lara: District Court Discretion to Deny Amendment 821 “Zero‑Point Offender” Reductions on § 3553(a) Grounds Alone I. Introduction The Eleventh Circuit’s unpublished decision in...

Independent State Actors, Municipal Garbage-Fee Prosecutions, and the Limits of Monell and RICO Liability: Commentary on Santori Little v. City of Valley

Date: Nov 28, 2025

Independent State Actors, Municipal Garbage-Fee Prosecutions, and the Limits of Monell and RICO Liability Commentary on Santori Little v. The City of Valley, Alabama, No. 24‑10120 (11th Cir. Nov. 25,...

Plain Error, Prior Offenses, and Felon Disarmament after Bruen: Commentary on United States v. Murray (11th Cir. 2025)

Date: Nov 23, 2025

Plain-Error Limits on Erlinger-Based ACCA Challenges and the Continued Validity of Felon Disarmament in the Eleventh Circuit: A Commentary on United States v. Murray I. Introduction This commentary...

Interlocutory Appeals, Drug Quantity Proof, and Sentencing Records in Federal Drug Cases: A Commentary on United States v. Marc (11th Cir. 2025)

Date: Nov 23, 2025

Interlocutory Appeals, Drug Quantity Proof, and Sentencing Records in Federal Drug Cases: A Commentary on United States v. Marc (11th Cir. 2025) I. Introduction This commentary examines the...

Intent Matters: The Eleventh Circuit Narrows ERISA “Preexisting Condition” Exclusions in Johnson v. Reliance Standard

Date: Nov 23, 2025

Intent Matters: The Eleventh Circuit Narrows ERISA “Preexisting Condition” Exclusions in Johnson v. Reliance Standard I. Introduction In Cheriese D. Johnson v. Reliance Standard Life Insurance...

“All Means All” Under Rule 41(a)(1)(A)(ii): The Eleventh Circuit’s Strict Finality Doctrine in Curlee v. AT&T Mobility Services

Date: Nov 23, 2025

“All Means All” Under Rule 41(a)(1)(A)(ii): The Eleventh Circuit’s Strict Finality Doctrine in Curlee v. AT&T Mobility Services I. Introduction In Amanda Curlee v. AT&T Mobility Services, LLC, an...

Verbal Provocation Alone Cannot Render Otherwise Reasonable Force Excessive: Commentary on Medina v. City of Daytona Beach

Date: Nov 23, 2025

Verbal Provocation Alone Cannot Render Otherwise Reasonable Force Excessive: Commentary on Medina v. City of Daytona Beach I. Introduction Anthony Medina v. City of Daytona Beach, No. 25-10552 (11th...

Anti‑Evasion of FLSA Overtime and Prevailing‑Party Status After Rule 68: Commentary on David Thompson v. Regions Security Services, Inc.

Date: Nov 23, 2025

Anti‑Evasion of FLSA Overtime and Prevailing‑Party Status After Rule 68: Comprehensive Commentary on David Thompson v. Regions Security Services, Inc. I. Introduction This consolidated Eleventh...

Clarifying FLSA Anti‑Evasion and Prevailing‑Party Fees After Rule 68 Judgments: Commentary on Thompson v. Regions Security Services, Inc.

Date: Nov 23, 2025

Clarifying FLSA Anti‑Evasion and Prevailing‑Party Fees After Rule 68 Judgments: Commentary on Thompson v. Regions Security Services, Inc. I. Introduction This consolidated Eleventh Circuit decision...

Bodycam Footage, Hidden Hands, and Qualified Immunity at the Pleading Stage: Commentary on Johnson v. Williams

Date: Nov 23, 2025

Bodycam Footage, Hidden Hands, and Qualified Immunity at the Pleading Stage: Commentary on Johnson v. Williams I. Introduction This commentary examines the Eleventh Circuit’s unpublished decision in...

United States v. Plaza Estacio: Accuracy and Policy-Statement Fidelity in Amendment 821 Sentence-Reduction Proceedings

Date: Nov 23, 2025

United States v. Plaza Estacio: Accuracy and Policy-Statement Fidelity in Amendment 821 Sentence-Reduction Proceedings I. Introduction The Eleventh Circuit’s unpublished decision in United States v....

No Dismissal With Prejudice Without Service: Personal Jurisdiction Limits on Inherent Dismissal Power in Bilal v. Benoit

Date: Nov 22, 2025

No Dismissal With Prejudice Without Service: Personal Jurisdiction Limits on Inherent Dismissal Power in Bilal v. Benoit I. Introduction This Eleventh Circuit decision, Jamaal Ali Bilal v. Jeffrey...

Symptoms Are Not Enough: Functional Impairment and the ERISA Claimant’s Burden in Mental‑Health Disability Claims — Commentary on Stacy Hovan v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.

Date: Nov 22, 2025

Symptoms Are Not Enough: Functional Impairment and the ERISA Claimant’s Burden in Mental‑Health Disability Claims Commentary on Stacy Hovan v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (11th Cir. Nov. 20,...

United States v. McCray: Explicit Factual Findings and Nexus Requirements for Attempted First-Degree Murder Cross-References under U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1(c)(1)

Date: Nov 22, 2025

United States v. McCray: Explicit Factual Findings and Nexus Requirements for Attempted First-Degree Murder Cross-References under U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1(c)(1) I. Introduction In United States v. Antonio...

"You Break It, You Own It": Eleventh Circuit Clarifies County Monell Liability for Privatized Jail Healthcare in Smothers v. Childers

Date: Nov 22, 2025

"You Break It, You Own It": Eleventh Circuit Clarifies County Monell Liability for Privatized Jail Healthcare in Smothers v. Childers I. Introduction In Pamela Smothers v. Roger Childers, et al. (No....

United States v. Oropesa: Section 241 Applies to Conspiracies to Violate Rights Created by the FACE Act

Date: Nov 22, 2025

United States v. Oropesa: Section 241 Applies to Conspiracies to Violate Rights Created by the FACE Act I. Introduction In United States v. Gabriella Victoria Oropesa, No. 25‑10928 (11th Cir. Nov....

Title VI Discrimination, Retaliation, and “Cat’s Paw” Liability in the School–Contractor Context: Commentary on Quinn v. Columbia County School District

Date: Nov 21, 2025

Title VI Discrimination, Retaliation, and “Cat’s Paw” Liability in the School–Contractor Context: Commentary on Quinn v. Columbia County School District I. Introduction The Eleventh Circuit’s...

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