Rivas de Nolasco v. Bondi: The Fourth Circuit Affirms § 1252(b)(1) as a Non-Jurisdictional Claims-Processing Rule and Reinforces Nexus Standards for Particular Social Group Claims Introduction In...
Fourth Circuit Confirms Fifth-Amendment Right to Effective Retained Counsel in Removal Proceedings (Sulma Guandique-De Romero v. Pamela Bondi, 24-1154, decided 13 Aug 2025) Introduction The published...
“Miss the Clock, Lose the Power” – Fourth Circuit Affirms Automatic Approval of Wireless-Tower Applications When Virginia Localities Exceed the 150-Day Statutory Deadline Introduction Tillman...
Constructive Possession through “Tools-of-the-Trade” & the Nexus Test under § 924(c): Commentary on United States v. Carlisa Allen, No. 24-4169 (4th Cir. Aug. 13 2025) 1. Introduction In United...
Incomplete Discovery and Post-Plea Misconduct: The Fourth Circuit’s Materiality Standard for Rule 11(d)(2)(B) Withdrawals and Flexibility in § 3E1.1 Acceptance-of-Responsibility Credits Introduction...
Immaterial Discovery Errors and Post-Plea Conduct: The Milam Standard for Guilty-Plea Withdrawal and Acceptance-of-Responsibility Credits Introduction United States v. David Milam, Nos. 23-4527/28/29...
The Milam Materiality Doctrine: Non-Prejudicial Discovery Errors Cannot Justify Withdrawal of a Guilty Plea Introduction United States v. David Milam, Nos. 23-4527/28/29 (4th Cir. 2025), presented...
United States v. Myrick: When a Hearing Does NOT End Speedy-Trial Tolling under § 3161(h)(1)(D)–(H) Introduction United States v. Melvin Leon Myrick, No. 23-4768 (4th Cir. Aug. 13, 2025), offers the...
“Stacked-Probabilities” and the Preliminary Injunction: The Fourth Circuit’s New Multiplicative-Likelihood Doctrine in American Federation of Teachers v. Bessent 1. Introduction On 12 August 2025 the...
“Ratification Trumps Procedure” – Fourth Circuit Clarifies that Homeowners May Cure an Unauthorized Referendum by Subsequent Vote 1. Introduction In Jill K. Jinks v. Community Services Associates...
“The Jinks Ratification Rule” – When a Super-Majority Vote Cures Procedural Defects in Community Covenant Amendments Introduction In Jill K. Jinks v. Sea Pines Resort LLC, Nos. 22-2013 & 22-2056 (4th...
No Duty Without the Dike: Fourth Circuit Re-Affirms Plain-Language Contract Enforcement in Infrastructure-License Agreements 1. Introduction Jimmy Edwards v. CSX Transportation, Inc., No. 23-1909...
No Preclusion, No Standing: The Fourth Circuit’s Redressability Rule for Declaratory Relief in Wells v. Johnson Introduction In August 2025 the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit...
“Raiding” Redefined: Fourth Circuit Narrows the Broker Protocol Exception and Affirms Contractual Supremacy in Salomon & Ludwin, LLC v. Jeremiah Winters 1. Introduction The United States Court of...
United States v. Perez: The Fourth Circuit Re-draws the Fact–Law Line for “Special Territorial Jurisdiction” 1. Introduction United States v. Jesse Fernando Perez, No. 24-4039 (4th Cir. Aug. 12...
Discretion, Not Obligation: The Fourth Circuit Clarifies the Scope of De Novo Resentencing Under the Mandate Rule — Commentary on United States v. Robert Benton, Jr. (4th Cir. 2025) 1. Introduction...
United States v. Benton, Jr.: Fourth Circuit Clarifies Sentencing-Remand Discretion Under the Mandate Rule Introduction In United States v. Robert Benton, Jr., Nos. 23-4009 & 23-6019 (4th Cir. Aug....
Gardner v. International Association of Machinists (4th Cir. 2025) Establishing the “Reasonable-Notice” Standard for § 501(b) Demands I. Introduction In Sandra Gardner v. International Association of...
“Silence Speaks”: Fourth Circuit Confirms that Omitted Words in Parallel Insurance Exclusions Preserve Coverage for Negligent Entrustment & Interest Beyond Policy Limits Introduction The unpublished...
United States v. Stull: Fourth Circuit Clarifies the Defendant’s Burden of Showing Prejudice for Rule 11 Omissions on Plain-Error Review Introduction United States v. Jerry Stull, No. 24-4340 (4th...