Propensity Evidence Re-Invigorated: The Second Circuit Affirms Expansive Use of Federal Rules 413-415 and Narrow Review of Evidentiary Rulings Introduction The consolidated opinions in Carroll v....
“Clear-Error” Becomes the Governing Appellate Standard for Hardship Findings: A Commentary on Toalombo Yanez v. Bondi 1. Introduction On 13 June 2025, the United States Court of Appeals for the...
Zheng v. Bondi – The Second Circuit’s Reinforced Approach to Cumulative Inconsistencies and Corroborative Evidence in Immigration Credibility Determinations 1. Introduction In Zheng v. Bondi, No....
United States v. Hines: Shifting the Burden—Defendants Must Prove Governmental Involvement in Private Digital Searches 1. Introduction United States v. Hines, No. 23-7032-cr (2d Cir. 2025), concerns...
ERISA’s Anti-Alienation Provision Trumps N.Y. CPLR §5205(c)(5): A Second Circuit Clarification 1. Introduction Case: Office Create Corp. v. Planet Entertainment, LLC, No. 24-1879 (2d Cir. June 10,...
“Speculation Is Not Jurisdiction” – The Second Circuit’s Dual Clarifications on Personal-Jurisdiction Pleading and Harmless Error Review in El Omari v. Dechert LLP 1. Introduction On 9 June 2025 the...
“Drawing the Line Between Fact and Law in Qualified-Immunity Appeals” A Comprehensive Commentary on Horn v. Adger, 24-1034(L) (2d Cir. 2025) 1. Introduction Parties and posture. In Horn v. Adger, two...
Clarifying the Weight of Direct Contradictions: Paguay-Acosta v. Bondi and the Second Circuit’s Refinement of Credibility Analysis in Asylum Proceedings 1. Introduction In Paguay-Acosta v. Bondi, the...
Strict Application of Lozada & the “Reasonable Probability” Prejudice Test in Ineffective-Assistance Motions: Salazar-Asencio v. Bondi Introduction Salazar-Asencio v. Bondi (2d Cir. No. 24-1230, June...
Singh v. Bondi: Re-affirming the “Unable-or-Unwilling” Threshold and Issue-Exhaustion in Asylum & CAT Litigation Introduction Bhupinder Singh, an Indian national and follower of a Sikh splinter...
Ventura-Duarte v. Bondi: Second Circuit Clarifies the “One-Central-Reason” Nexus in Gang-Related Asylum Claims after Matter of L-E-A- 1. Introduction Ventura-Duarte v. Bondi is a 2025 summary order...
Power of Attorney ≠ Article III Standing: The Second Circuit Reinforces the Real-Party-in-Interest Requirement in ERISA Litigation and Opens the Door to Rule 17 Substitution Introduction In Karkare...
“The Underlying-Conduct Rule” – Second Circuit Clarifies Extraditable-Offense Analysis in Lalama Gomez v. United States (2025) I. Introduction In Lalama Gomez v. United States, the U.S. Court of...
Zherka v. Bondi – The Second Circuit Confirms Congress’s Power to Disarm All Felons, Violent or Not, Without Individualized Review 1. Introduction In Zherka v. Bondi, Docket No. 22-1108-cv (decided...
Refining Pro Se Solicitude and Pleading Standards under Section 1983: Craig v. City of New York Introduction The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit’s summary order in Craig v. The...
Inherent Docket-Management Authority and Fair-Notice Pleading: Gorawara v. Caprio Introduction Gorawara v. Caprio, 24-17 (2d Cir. June 4, 2025), presents two primary issues: first, whether the...
Second Circuit Upholds the “Reasonable Opportunity to Observe” Mens Rea Standard in 18 U.S.C. § 1591(c) Introduction United States v. Concepcion, decided June 4, 2025 by the Second Circuit, tested...
Reaffirming the Boundaries of Interlocutory Appellate Jurisdiction and Mandamus Relief Under §1291: Ameriway Corp. v. Chen Introduction The Second Circuit’s summary order in Ameriway Corp. v. Chen...
Preservation of Unmodified Contractual Provisions in Copyright Assignments: Catala v. Joombas Co. Ltd. Introduction Catala v. Joombas Co. Ltd. is a summary‐order decision by the United States Court...
Encompassment of Final Judgment by Appeals from Rule 59(e)/60(b) Orders and the Non-Disability Character of Neutral COVID-19 Mandates: Johnson v. Maximus Services LLC Introduction Johnson v. Maximus...