5th Circuit Case Commentaries

Strengthening Age Discrimination Protections: Insights from Palasota v. Haggar Clothing Co.

Date: Sep 4, 2003

Strengthening Age Discrimination Protections: Insights from Palasota v. Haggar Clothing Co. Introduction The case of Jimmy Palasota v. Haggar Clothing Co., decided by the United States Court of...

Reversing Fraud and Breach of Contract Claims: Insights from Lewis v. Bank of America

Date: Sep 3, 2003

Reversing Fraud and Breach of Contract Claims: Insights from Lewis v. Bank of America Introduction The case of Billy Lewis v. Bank of America NA et al., adjudicated by the United States Court of...

Affirmation of the 'Reasonable Basis' Standard in Fraudulent Joinder under Diversity Jurisdiction: Ross et al. v. Citifinancial, Inc.

Date: Aug 30, 2003

Affirmation of the 'Reasonable Basis' Standard in Fraudulent Joinder under Diversity Jurisdiction: Ross et al. v. Citifinancial, Inc. Introduction Ross et al. v. Citifinancial, Inc. is a seminal case...

Enhanced Pleading Standards for Reverse False Claims Act Actions: Analysis of DOE v. Dow Chemical Company

Date: Aug 30, 2003

Enhanced Pleading Standards for Reverse False Claims Act Actions: Analysis of DOE v. Dow Chemical Company Introduction The case UNITED STATES of America, ex rel. John DOE v. DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY (343...

Dismissal with Prejudice in Securities Fraud Class Action: Alpert Group v. Physicians Resource Group Inc.

Date: Aug 30, 2003

Dismissal with Prejudice in Securities Fraud Class Action: Alpert Group v. Physicians Resource Group Inc. Introduction The case of Alpert Group, et al. v. Physicians Resource Group Inc. and Others,...

Recognition of Labor Obligations under Surety Bonds: Weeks Marine, Inc. v. Fireman's Fund Insurance Co.

Date: Aug 28, 2003

Recognition of Labor Obligations under Surety Bonds: Weeks Marine, Inc. v. Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. Introduction The legal landscape surrounding surety bonds and their obligations towards...

Balancing Implied Licenses, Estoppel, and State Conversion Claims in Copyright Law: The Carson v. Dynegy Decision

Date: Aug 28, 2003

Balancing Implied Licenses, Estoppel, and State Conversion Claims in Copyright Law: The Carson v. Dynegy Decision Introduction The case of William C. Carson v. Dynegy, Inc. (344 F.3d 446, 2003)...

Establishing a Certificate of Appealability Under AEDPA: An In-Depth Analysis of Cotton v. Cockrell

Date: Aug 22, 2003

Establishing a Certificate of Appealability Under AEDPA: An In-Depth Analysis of Cotton v. Cockrell Introduction The case Marcus Bridger Cotton v. Janie Cockrell, adjudicated by the United States...

Choice of Law Distinction in Contract and Tort Claims: Benchmark Electronics v. J.M. Huber Corp. Establishes Texas Law for Fraud and Misrepresentation Claims Despite Contractual Choice of New York Law

Date: Aug 21, 2003

Choice of Law Distinction in Contract and Tort Claims: Benchmark Electronics v. J.M. Huber Corp. Establishes Texas Law for Fraud and Misrepresentation Claims Despite Contractual Choice of New York...

Establishing Limits on Judicial Consideration of External Reports in Section 1983 Claims: Scanlan v. Texas AM University

Date: Aug 20, 2003

Establishing Limits on Judicial Consideration of External Reports in Section 1983 Claims: Scanlan v. Texas AM University Introduction The case of Howard Scanlan; Denise Scanlan; and Lauren Scanlan v....

Sentencing Guidelines in Federal Bank Fraud: Clarifying Intended vs Actual Loss

Date: Aug 19, 2003

Sentencing Guidelines in Federal Bank Fraud: Clarifying Intended vs Actual Loss Introduction In the case of United States of America v. Cecil Allen Sanders, Jr., the United States Court of Appeals...

Affirmation of Statute of Limitations in §1981 Racial Discrimination Claims: Jones v. Alcoa, Inc.

Date: Aug 19, 2003

Affirmation of Statute of Limitations in §1981 Racial Discrimination Claims: Jones v. Alcoa, Inc. Introduction In Jones, Sparks, and Parks v. Alcoa, Inc., the United States Court of Appeals for the...

Brady Disclosure Obligations in Capital Cases: Analyzing Graves v. Cockrell

Date: Aug 16, 2003

Brady Disclosure Obligations in Capital Cases: Analyzing Graves v. Cockrell Introduction Graves v. Cockrell, 351 F.3d 143 (5th Cir. 2003), centers on the critical issue of the prosecution's...

Effectiveness of Appellate Counsel in Federal Habeas Relief: Schaetzle v. Cockrell

Date: Aug 16, 2003

Effectiveness of Appellate Counsel in Federal Habeas Relief: Schaetzle v. Cockrell 343 F.3d 440 (5th Cir. 2003) Introduction Schaetzle v. Cockrell is a significant case adjudicated by the United...

Refining Arbitration Jurisdiction: American Eagle Airlines v. Air Line Pilots Association

Date: Aug 15, 2003

Refining Arbitration Jurisdiction: American Eagle Airlines v. Air Line Pilots Association Introduction American Eagle Airlines, Inc. v. Air Line Pilots Association, International (343 F.3d 401) is a...

Affirmation of Williams' Convictions under 18 U.S.C. § 242 and § 924(c): A Comprehensive Commentary

Date: Aug 15, 2003

Affirmation of Williams' Convictions under 18 U.S.C. § 242 and § 924(c): A Comprehensive Commentary 1. Introduction The case of United States of America v. John L. Williams, Jr., 343 F.3d 423 (5th...

Centralized Placement Authority of School Districts Under IDEA: WHITE v. ASCENSION Parish School Board

Date: Aug 14, 2003

Centralized Placement Authority of School Districts Under IDEA: WHITE v. ASCENSION Parish School Board Introduction In the landmark case Doug WHITE, on behalf of Dylan Joseph WHITE; Gail White,...

Sherwin-Williams Co. v. Holmes County: Fifth Circuit Reverses Dismissal, Upholds Federal Declaratory Judgment Jurisdiction

Date: Aug 14, 2003

Sherwin-Williams Co. v. Holmes County: Fifth Circuit Reverses Dismissal, Upholds Federal Declaratory Judgment Jurisdiction Introduction In The Sherwin-Williams Company v. Holmes County, 343 F.3d 383...

Subject-Matter Test Prevails Over Control-Group Test in Attorney-Client Privilege Under Texas Law: Avantel v. Teleplus (5th Cir. 2003)

Date: Aug 13, 2003

Subject-Matter Test Prevails Over Control-Group Test in Attorney-Client Privilege Under Texas Law: Avantel v. Teleplus (5th Cir. 2003) Introduction The case of In Re: Avantel, S.A., Petitioner,...

Fullwood v. United States: Affirmation of Summary Witness Use and Sentencing Enhancements under U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1(a)

Date: Aug 9, 2003

Fullwood v. United States: Affirmation of Summary Witness Use and Sentencing Enhancements under U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1(a) Introduction In the case of United States of America v. Lea Scott Fullwood,...