4th Circuit Case Commentaries

Narrowing State Action: Fourth Circuit Clarifies Private Actors' Immunity in Political Debate Exclusion Cases

Date: Sep 16, 1999

Narrowing State Action: Fourth Circuit Clarifies Private Actors' Immunity in Political Debate Exclusion Cases Introduction The case of Sue Harris DeBauche v. various Defendants deals with the...

Affirmation of Materiality and Scienter in Securities Fraud Claims: Phillips v. LCI International

Date: Sep 16, 1999

Affirmation of Materiality and Scienter in Securities Fraud Claims: Phillips v. LCI International Introduction The case of Lionel Phillips, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated,...

Reaffirming Plan Administrators' Discretion in ERISA Disability Claims: The Sara Lee Corp. v. Elliott Decision

Date: Sep 15, 1999

Reaffirming Plan Administrators' Discretion in ERISA Disability Claims: The Sara Lee Corp. v. Elliott Decision Introduction In BRENDA ELLIOTT v. SARA LEE CORPORATION, 190 F.3d 601 (4th Cir. 1999),...

Recognition of Federal Employee Unions as Covered Entities Under the ADA and Title VII

Date: Sep 11, 1999

Recognition of Federal Employee Unions as Covered Entities Under the ADA and Title VII Introduction The case of Robert E. Jones v. American Postal Workers Union, National; American Postal Workers...

Legitimate Penological Interests Uphold Constitutional Outgoing Mail Inspections in Fourth Circuit

Date: Sep 8, 1999

Legitimate Penological Interests Uphold Constitutional Outgoing Mail Inspections in Fourth Circuit Introduction In the landmark case of Frank Ervin Altizer, Jr. v. George Deeds et al., decided by the...

Definition of "In Use" Under the Federal Safety Appliance Act: Phillips v. CSX Transportation

Date: Sep 4, 1999

Definition of "In Use" Under the Federal Safety Appliance Act: Phillips v. CSX Transportation Introduction Phillips v. CSX Transportation, Incorporated is a pivotal case adjudicated by the United...

Government Immunity Exempt from 18 U.S.C. § 201(c)(2): Analysis of United States v. Richardson

Date: Sep 4, 1999

Government Immunity Exempt from 18 U.S.C. § 201(c)(2): Analysis of United States v. Richardson Introduction The case of United States of America v. Willie James Richardson (195 F.3d 192, 4th Cir....

Differentiating Jurisdictional Value and Sentencing Loss in Stolen Property Cases: Insights from United States v. Robert Ruhe

Date: Sep 1, 1999

Differentiating Jurisdictional Value and Sentencing Loss in Stolen Property Cases: Insights from United States v. Robert Ruhe Introduction The case of United States of America v. Robert Ruhe,...

Strengthening the Admissibility Standards for Technical Expert Testimony: Analysis of Oglesby v. General Motors

Date: Sep 1, 1999

Strengthening the Admissibility Standards for Technical Expert Testimony: Analysis of Oglesby v. General Motors Introduction Oglesby v. General Motors, 190 F.3d 244 (4th Cir. 1999), is a pivotal...

Substantiality Doctrine Reinforced in Lovern v. Edwards: Implications for Federal Jurisdiction

Date: Sep 1, 1999

Substantiality Doctrine Reinforced in Lovern v. Edwards: Implications for Federal Jurisdiction Introduction The case of Michael Lovern, Sr. v. Mark A. Edwards ([190 F.3d...

Limits of Supplemental Jurisdiction in Conversion Claims: Insights from Pinkley v. City of Frederick

Date: Sep 1, 1999

Limits of Supplemental Jurisdiction in Conversion Claims: Insights from Pinkley v. City of Frederick Introduction The case of Pinkley, Incorporated, T/A Bradley Books v. City of Frederick, Maryland...

Limits on Arbitrator Subpoena Power Over Third-Party Government Agencies Under FAA: COMSAT Corp. v. NSF

Date: Aug 24, 1999

Limits on Arbitrator Subpoena Power Over Third-Party Government Agencies Under FAA: COMSAT Corp. v. NSF Introduction The case of COMSAT Corporation v. National Science Foundation (NSF) addresses the...

Procedural Default and Habeas Corpus Limitations in Royal v. Taylor (4th Cir. 1999)

Date: Aug 17, 1999

Procedural Default and Habeas Corpus Limitations in Royal v. Taylor (4th Cir. 1999) Introduction Thomas Lee Royal Jr. v. John B. Taylor, Warden, Sussex I State Prison is a pivotal case adjudicated by...

Affirmation of Discretion in Supervised Release Modifications: United States v. Pregent

Date: Aug 11, 1999

Affirmation of Discretion in Supervised Release Modifications: United States v. Pregent Introduction United States of America v. George Lloyd Pregent, 190 F.3d 279 (4th Cir. 1999), presents a...

Proximate Cause and Foreseeability in Jones Act Negligence Claims: Hernandez v. Trawler Miss Vertie Mae, Inc.

Date: Aug 7, 1999

Proximate Cause and Foreseeability in Jones Act Negligence Claims: Hernandez v. Trawler Miss Vertie Mae, Inc. Introduction Cruz O. Hernandez v. Trawler Miss Vertie Mae, Incorporated is a notable case...

Limits of Bivens and Privacy Act Claims in National Security Context: Reinbold v. Evers

Date: Aug 6, 1999

Limits of Bivens and Privacy Act Claims in National Security Context: Reinbold v. Evers Introduction In Reinbold v. Evers, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit addressed...

Possibility of Recovery in Assessing Fraudulent Joinder: Hartley v. CSX Transportation

Date: Aug 5, 1999

Possibility of Recovery in Assessing Fraudulent Joinder: Hartley v. CSX Transportation Introduction The case of Lidy J. Hartley v. CSX Transportation, Inc. involves a South Carolina citizen, Lidy J....

Owens-Illinois v. Respondents: Affirming the Necessity of Diverse Parties Under Fed.R.Civ.P. 19

Date: Aug 3, 1999

Owens-Illinois v. Respondents: Affirming the Necessity of Diverse Parties Under Fed.R.Civ.P. 19 Introduction The case of Owens-Illinois, Inc. v. David L. Meade et al. is a pivotal decision rendered...

Interpreting AEDPA’s Tolling Provision: Insights from Norris Carlton Taylor v. R.C. Lee

Date: Jul 30, 1999

Interpreting AEDPA’s Tolling Provision: Insights from Norris Carlton Taylor v. R.C. Lee Introduction Norris Carlton Taylor v. R.C. Lee is a pivotal case decided by the United States Court of Appeals...

Abrogation of Eleventh Amendment Immunity via Title IX Funding: Litman v. George Mason University

Date: Jul 29, 1999

Abrogation of Eleventh Amendment Immunity via Title IX Funding: Litman v. George Mason University Introduction Litman v. George Mason University is a landmark case adjudicated by the United States...