5th Circuit Case Commentaries

Affirmation of Dismissal of Securities Fraud Claims under PSLRA Standards in Flaherty Crumrine v. TXU Corp.

Date: Apr 9, 2009

Affirmation of Dismissal of Securities Fraud Claims under PSLRA Standards in Flaherty Crumrine v. TXU Corp. Introduction The case of Flaherty Crumrine Preferred Income Fund, Incorporated; Flaherty...

Enhancement of Particularity Standards for False Claims Act Violations: Grubbs v. Ra

Date: Apr 9, 2009

Enhancement of Particularity Standards for False Claims Act Violations: Grubbs v. Ra Introduction The case of United States of America, ex rel. James H. Grubbs, M.D., Plaintiff-Appellant, v....

Judicial Immunity Extends to Policy-Making in Attorney Appointments - Davis v. Tarrant County

Date: Apr 9, 2009

Judicial Immunity Extends to Policy-Making in Attorney Appointments - Davis v. Tarrant County Introduction In the landmark case of Lawrence Patrick Davis v. Tarrant County, the United States Court of...

Enhanced Guidelines Calculations: A New Precedent in Sentencing Procedures

Date: Apr 7, 2009

Enhanced Guidelines Calculations: A New Precedent in Sentencing Procedures Introduction In the landmark case of UNITED STATES of America v. Juan Delgado-Martinez, the United States Court of Appeals...

Affirmation of Statutory Damages and Attorneys’ Fees under ACPA in Cybersquatting Litigation

Date: Apr 3, 2009

Affirmation of Statutory Damages and Attorneys’ Fees under ACPA in Cybersquatting Litigation Introduction The case of KIVA KITCHEN BATH INC. v. CAPITAL DISTRIBUTING INC.; John Michael Davis involves...

Tortious Interference and Protective Discovery Orders: Insights from Crosswhite v. Lexington Insurance Company

Date: Apr 2, 2009

Tortious Interference and Protective Discovery Orders: Insights from Crosswhite v. Lexington Insurance Company Introduction In Randal Crosswhite v. Lexington Insurance Company, 321 F. App'x 365 (5th...

MULLINS v. TESTAMERICA: Establishing Personal Jurisdiction and Subordination Precedents

Date: Mar 31, 2009

MULLINS v. TESTAMERICA: Establishing Personal Jurisdiction and Subordination Precedents Introduction In the appellate case MULLINS v. TESTAMERICA, Inc.; Sagaponack Partners LP, the United States...

Affirmation of Qualified Immunity in Excessive Force Claims: Ontiveros v. City of Rosenberg

Date: Mar 31, 2009

Affirmation of Qualified Immunity in Excessive Force Claims: Ontiveros v. City of Rosenberg Introduction The case of Maria Ontiveros, Indi v. dually, 564 F.3d 379 (5th Cir. 2009), involves the tragic...

Clarification of Statutory Subsection in Unlawful Reentry Sentencing: United States v. Mondragon-Santiago

Date: Mar 27, 2009

Clarification of Statutory Subsection in Unlawful Reentry Sentencing: United States v. Mondragon-Santiago Introduction The case of United States v. Jose Mondragon-Santiago revolves around the...

Strict Adherence to Prior Convictions for Career Offender Enhancements Affirmed in Ellis Case

Date: Mar 27, 2009

Strict Adherence to Prior Convictions for Career Offender Enhancements Affirmed in Ellis Case Introduction The case of United States of America v. Curtis Lee Ellis, adjudicated by the United States...

Federal Preemption and State Law Application in Railroad Negligence: Gauthier v. Union Pacific

Date: Mar 26, 2009

Federal Preemption and State Law Application in Railroad Negligence: Gauthier v. Union Pacific Introduction In the civil action titled Judy Gauthier, as an individual and on behalf of Larry Gauthier...

Substantial Compliance with ERISA Procedures: Lafleur v. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana

Date: Mar 24, 2009

Substantial Compliance with ERISA Procedures: Lafleur v. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana Introduction Richard Lafleur, a plaintiff-appellant, brought a lawsuit against Louisiana Health Service...

Fifth Circuit Establishes Dual Claims for Flood and Wind Damage Under Homeowner's Insurance Policies in Hurricane Katrina Cases

Date: Mar 21, 2009

Fifth Circuit Establishes Dual Claims for Flood and Wind Damage Under Homeowner's Insurance Policies in Hurricane Katrina Cases Introduction The case of Harrington et al. v. State Farm Fire Casualty...

Cornerstone v. UIL: Establishing Limits on Nonpublic School Membership in Interscholastic Leagues

Date: Mar 21, 2009

Cornerstone v. UIL: Establishing Limits on Nonpublic School Membership in Interscholastic Leagues 1. Introduction The case of Cornerstone Christian Schools v. University Interscholastic League (UIL)...

Fifth Circuit Establishes Distinction Between Insurance Claims Procurement and Handling in Campo v. Allstate Insurance Co.

Date: Mar 18, 2009

Fifth Circuit Establishes Distinction Between Insurance Claims Procurement and Handling in Campo v. Allstate Insurance Co. Introduction In Merlin S. Campo v. Allstate Insurance Company, 562 F.3d 751...

Texas Moment of Silence Statute Upheld: An Analysis of Croft v. Governor of Texas

Date: Mar 17, 2009

Texas Moment of Silence Statute Upheld: An Analysis of Croft v. Governor of Texas Introduction In Da v. d Wallace CROFT; Shannon Kristine Croft, as Parents and Next Friend of minor Children,...

Affirmation of Independent Source Rule and Exigent Circumstances in Drug Distribution Cases

Date: Mar 12, 2009

Affirmation of Independent Source Rule and Exigent Circumstances in Drug Distribution Cases Introduction In the landmark case of United States of America v. Gregory Brian Hearn, Joel Dallas Hammond,...

Application of Texas Community Property Presumptions in Bankruptcy Discharge Cases

Date: Mar 12, 2009

Application of Texas Community Property Presumptions in Bankruptcy Discharge Cases Introduction The case of The Cadle Company v. John Cecil Duncan revolves around the bankruptcy discharge of John...

Circular Indemnity in Multiple Contractual Agreements: Insights from Breaux v. Halliburton Energy Services

Date: Mar 7, 2009

Circular Indemnity in Multiple Contractual Agreements: Insights from Breaux v. Halliburton Energy Services Introduction The case of Shannon BREAUX, Etc., Plaintiff, v. HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES,...

Hall Street Restricts Grounds for Vacatur of Arbitration Awards: Insights from Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. v. Debra M. Bacon

Date: Mar 6, 2009

Hall Street Restricts Grounds for Vacatur of Arbitration Awards: Insights from CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS, INC. v. Debra M. Bacon, 562 F.3d 349 (5th Cir. 2009) Introduction The case of CITIGROUP GLOBAL...