New Precedent: Federal Forced Labor Statute Encompasses Coercive Familial Domestic Service Introduction United States v. Mohammad Nauman Chaudhri, et al., decided April 8, 2025 by the Fourth Circuit,...
Limiting “Incidental Operations” Coverage to the Named Insured Department Introduction The Fourth Circuit’s decision in Travelers Indemnity Company v. American Alternative Insurance Corp. (No....
Limiting “Incidental Operations” Coverage to the Named Insured’s Department 1. Introduction In The Travelers Indemnity Company v. American Alternative Insurance Corporation, the Fourth Circuit...
Balancing Confrontation Rights and Hearsay Reliability in Supervised Release Revocation Hearings Introduction United States v. Anthony Williams, decided April 7, 2025 by the Fourth Circuit, addresses...
Immunity Boundaries in University Disciplinary Actions: Sovereign and Qualified Immunity Preclude Damages; Ex parte Young Permits Prospective Relief Introduction This commentary examines the Fourth...
Recoupment of Overpaid Pension Benefits: Defining Due Process and Immunity Boundaries Introduction Patsy Talley v. Dale Folwell (No. 24-1215, 4th Cir. Apr. 4, 2025) addresses a fundamental question...
Servicer’s Duty to Evaluate Loss Mitigation Requests Before Foreclosure: The New Rule in John Koontz v. SN Servicing Corp. 1. Introduction In John Koontz v. SN Servicing Corporation, 4th Cir. (2025),...
Actual Knowledge Requirement for Beneficiary Bank Liability under UCC §4A-207(b) Introduction Studco Building Systems US, LLC (“Studco”) sued 1st Advantage Federal Credit Union (“1st Advantage”)...
District Court Authority to Deny Reconsideration Motions Under Fed. R. Crim. P. 37 During a Pending Appeal Introduction United States v. Telly Armstrong is an appeal from the denial of a...
Bank Liability Under UCC 4A-207: Actual Knowledge Required for Misdescribed ACH Transfers Introduction This commentary examines the Fourth Circuit’s decision in Studco Building Systems US, LLC v. 1st...
Sines v. Spencer: Fourth Circuit Reaffirms Strict Rule 50 Renewal Requirement and Limits on Unpreserved Civil Arguments on Appeal Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit...
Full Retroactive Effect of Amendment 821: Fourth Circuit Requires Recalculation of Interacting Guideline Components in § 3582(c)(2) Proceedings Introduction In United States v. Melissa Barrett (4th...
Operative-at-Filing Arbitration Clauses and Clause‑Specific Review: Fourth Circuit Enforces Suddenlink’s 2021 RSA and Reaffirms FAA Severability Introduction In a published decision consolidating...
Supersession and Severability in Consumer Arbitration: The Fourth Circuit Confirms Later-in-Time Arbitration Clauses Govern and Limits Courts to Clause-Specific Challenges Case: Richard Chaty v....
Supersession and Severability in Consumer Arbitration: Fourth Circuit Holds Later‑in‑Time RSA Controls and Limits Unconscionability Review to Clause‑Specific Terms Introduction In a published...
No Collateral-Order Appeals from Denials of Maryland Public-Official Immunity; Jail Operations Are Governmental; Pleading Suicide-Risk Deliberate Indifference Introduction In Edward Gelin v....
Harmless Error in Denying Rule 15(d) Supplements; Whitley/Martin Reaffirmed in OC-Spray and Prison Retaliation Claims Introduction In this unpublished per curiam decision, the Fourth Circuit affirmed...
Identity by Modus Operandi and Post-Bruen Firearms Law: Fourth Circuit Upholds 404(b) Use of Uncharged Robberies and Implements Erlinger’s Jury-Finding Rule for ACCA “Occasions” Introduction In...
Fourth Circuit Clarifies: Refusal to Obey Content‑Neutral Volume and Ejection Orders at Public Meetings Supplies Probable Cause and Supports Qualified Immunity Introduction In Brooke N. Somers v....
Affirmation of Substantial Evidence in Minor Sex Trafficking Attempts: Clarifying Defendant Knowledge Introduction The case of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. DANIEL ALAN PUFF, decided by the United...