2d Circuit Case Commentaries

Expansion of Arbitrators' Authority to Award Attorney's Fees for Bad Faith Conduct: ReliaStar v. EMC National Life Company

Date: Apr 10, 2009

Expansion of Arbitrators' Authority to Award Attorney's Fees for Bad Faith Conduct: ReliaStar v. EMC National Life Company Introduction The case ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York v. EMC...

Affirmation of Comprehensive Tax Evasion and Fraud Convictions: United States v. Josephberg

Date: Apr 10, 2009

Affirmation of Comprehensive Tax Evasion and Fraud Convictions: United States v. Josephberg Introduction The case of United States of America v. Richard Josephberg, adjudicated by the United States...

Rescuecom Corp. v. Google Inc.: Redefining 'Use in Commerce' Under the Lanham Act

Date: Apr 4, 2009

Rescuecom Corp. v. Google Inc.: Redefining 'Use in Commerce' Under the Lanham Act Introduction Rescuecom Corp. v. Google Inc., 562 F.3d 123 (2nd Cir. 2009), marks a significant development in...

Defining Prevailing Party Status Under 42 U.S.C. § 1988(b): Insights from GARCIA v. YONKERS SCHOOL DISTRICT

Date: Apr 2, 2009

Defining Prevailing Party Status Under 42 U.S.C. § 1988(b): Insights from GARCIA v. YONKERS SCHOOL DISTRICT Introduction In the landmark decision of GARCIA v. YONKERS SCHOOL DISTRICT, the United...

Elevating the Weight of Treating Physician Testimony in SSDI Claims: Shrack v. SSA

Date: Apr 2, 2009

Elevating the Weight of Treating Physician Testimony in SSDI Claims: Shrack v. SSA Introduction The case of Edward J. Shrack, Jr. v. Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner, Social Security Administration...

Rule 60(b) Equitable Relief in Fraudulent Judgment Enforcement: MOTOROLA CREDIT CORP. v. UZAN et al.

Date: Apr 1, 2009

Rule 60(b) Equitable Relief in Fraudulent Judgment Enforcement: Motorola Credit Corporation and Nokia Corporation v. Kemal Uzan et al. Introduction The case of Motorola Credit Corporation and Nokia...

Addressing Intra-Corporate Conspiracy and Qualified Immunity in Prisoner Civil Rights Litigation: Insights from Vega v. Artus

Date: Mar 27, 2009

Addressing Intra-Corporate Conspiracy and Qualified Immunity in Prisoner Civil Rights Litigation: Insights from Vega v. Artus Introduction The case of Alex Vega v. D. Artus, Superintendent, et al....

Standing Requirements under ERISA: Comprehensive Analysis of Kendall v. Employees Retirement Plan of Avon Products

Date: Mar 26, 2009

Standing Requirements under ERISA: Comprehensive Analysis of Kendall v. Employees Retirement Plan of Avon Products Introduction In the case of Irene M. Kendall v. Employees Retirement Plan of Avon...

Enhanced Reliability of Anonymous Emergency 911 Calls in Establishing Reasonable Suspicion: Simmons v. United States

Date: Mar 18, 2009

Enhanced Reliability of Anonymous Emergency 911 Calls in Establishing Reasonable Suspicion: United States v. Simmons Introduction United States v. Simmons, 560 F.3d 98 (2d Cir. 2009), is a pivotal...

Second Circuit Recognizes "To My Knowledge" Statements in Affidavits as Sufficient for Personal Knowledge under Rule 56(e)

Date: Mar 13, 2009

Second Circuit Recognizes "To My Knowledge" Statements in Affidavits as Sufficient for Personal Knowledge under Rule 56(e) Introduction In the case of SCR Joint Venture L.P. v. Ari Warshawsky and...

Limits on Relitigating Ineffective Assistance Claims in 28 U.S.C. § 2255 Petitions: United States v. Pitcher Commentary

Date: Mar 12, 2009

Limits on Relitigating Ineffective Assistance Claims in 28 U.S.C. § 2255 Petitions: United States v. Pitcher Commentary Introduction United States v. Douglas Pitcher (559 F.3d 120, Second Circuit,...

New Precedent on Preliminary Injunctions in Trade Secret Misappropriation: FAIVELEY TRANSPORT MALMO AB v. WABTEC CORPORATION

Date: Mar 10, 2009

New Precedent on Preliminary Injunctions in Trade Secret Misappropriation: FAIVELEY TRANSPORT MALMO AB v. WABTEC CORPORATION Introduction The case of Faiveley Transport Malmo AB v. Wabtec...

Second Circuit Establishes Priority of Higher Mandatory Minimums in Firearm and Drug Offenses

Date: Mar 6, 2009

Second Circuit Establishes Priority of Higher Mandatory Minimums in Firearm and Drug Offenses Introduction In the landmark case of United States of America v. Leon Williams, the United States Court...

State Authority to Close Private Rail Crossings Affirmed: Second Circuit Rejects Preemption Claims under ICCTA and FRSA

Date: Mar 5, 2009

State Authority to Close Private Rail Crossings Affirmed: Second Circuit Rejects Preemption Claims under ICCTA and FRSA 1. Introduction The case of Island Park, LLC v. CSX Transportation and...

Expansion of ATSA Section 111(d): Limiting Judicial Review of TSA Screener Employment Practices

Date: Mar 4, 2009

Expansion of ATSA Section 111(d): Limiting Judicial Review of TSA Screener Employment Practices Introduction In the case of Vincent Curtis Conyers v. Gale D. Rossides, adjudicated by the United...

Enhancing Sentences for Tax Evasion through Abuse of Trust: Insights from United States v. Friedberg

Date: Mar 3, 2009

Enhancing Sentences for Tax Evasion through Abuse of Trust: Insights from United States v. Friedberg Introduction United States v. Daniel Friedberg, 558 F.3d 131 (2d Cir. 2009), serves as a pivotal...

Second Circuit Reinforces JONES v. BOCK: Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies Without Specific Identification in Prisoner Grievances

Date: Feb 28, 2009

Second Circuit Reinforces JONES v. BOCK: Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies Without Specific Identification in Prisoner Grievances Introduction Cesar A. Espinal, an inmate within the New York...

Establishing Non-Substantial Justification for EAJA Fee Awards in Social Security Disability Cases

Date: Feb 20, 2009

Establishing Non-Substantial Justification for EAJA Fee Awards in Social Security Disability Cases Introduction The case of Sandra L. Ericksson v. Commissioner of Social Security (557 F.3d 79)...

Application of Law-of-the-Case Doctrine in Resentencing Post-Booker: United States v. Carr

Date: Feb 20, 2009

Application of Law-of-the-Case Doctrine in Resentencing Post-Booker: United States v. Carr Introduction United States of America v. Sean Carr, 557 F.3d 93 (2d Cir. 2009), marks a significant juncture...

Revocation of Special Status for Pro Se Litigants: Insights from SLEDGE v. KOOI

Date: Feb 18, 2009

Revocation of Special Status for Pro Se Litigants: Insights from SLEDGE v. KOOI Introduction SLEDGE v. KOOI, 556 F.3d 137 (2d Cir. 2009), addresses crucial issues concerning the treatment of pro se...