5th Circuit Case Commentaries

Marbury v. United National Insurance: The Fifth Circuit Re-defines “Self-Serving” Evidence and Reaffirms Louisiana’s Expansive Concept of Insurable Interest

Date: Jul 31, 2025

Marbury v. United National Insurance: The Fifth Circuit Re-defines “Self-Serving” Evidence and Reaffirms Louisiana’s Expansive Concept of Insurable Interest 1. Introduction In Marbury v. United...

“Pro Bono Representation as Political Contribution”: The Fifth Circuit Clarifies Pre-Enforcement Standing and Immunity in Institute for Free Speech v. Johnson

Date: Jul 30, 2025

“Pro Bono Representation as Political Contribution”: The Fifth Circuit Clarifies Pre-Enforcement Standing and Immunity in Institute for Free Speech v. Johnson 1. Introduction The United States Court...

“When the Heat Itself Cries Out”: The Fifth Circuit’s Refined Standard for Deliberate Indifference to Extreme Temperatures in Texas Prisons – Commentary on Coones v. Cogburn (5th Cir. 2025)

Date: Jul 30, 2025

“When the Heat Itself Cries Out” The Fifth Circuit’s Refined Standard for Deliberate Indifference to Extreme Temperatures in Texas Prisons – Commentary on Coones v. Cogburn (5th Cir. 2025) 1....

Post-Denial Medical Developments and the “Continuum of Reasonableness” Test under ERISA: A Commentary on Black v. Unum Life Insurance Co.

Date: Jul 30, 2025

Post-Denial Medical Developments and the “Continuum of Reasonableness” Test under ERISA: A Detailed Commentary on Black v. Unum Life Insurance Company (5th Cir. 2025) 1. Introduction This commentary...

“Actual Knowledge” as the Linchpin of Calder-Effects Personal Jurisdiction: A Detailed Commentary on Boyd v. Cleara, L.L.C. (5th Cir. 2025)

Date: Jul 30, 2025

“Actual Knowledge” as the Linchpin of Calder-Effects Personal Jurisdiction: A Detailed Commentary on Boyd v. Cleara, L.L.C. (5th Cir. 2025) Introduction Boyd v. Cleara, L.L.C., No. 24-10609, decided...

United States v. Bennett – Federal Eminent-Domain Supremacy over State Trespass-Fixture Claims

Date: Jul 30, 2025

Federal Eminent-Domain Supremacy over State Trespass-Fixture Claims: A Commentary on United States v. Bennett (5th Cir. 2025) Introduction United States v. Bennett squarely addresses whether a...

“Previously Unavailable” Means “Possibly Meritorious”: Fifth Circuit Clarifies § 2244(b)(2)(A) in Johnson v. Guerrero

Date: Jul 25, 2025

“Previously Unavailable” Means “Possibly Meritorious”: Fifth Circuit Clarifies § 2244(b)(2)(A) in Johnson v. Guerrero Introduction Johnson v. Guerrero, No. 23-70002 (5th Cir. 2025) tackles a...

Guaranteeing “Next-Available Position” Reinstatement: The Fifth Circuit’s Expansive Equitable Remedy in McMillian v. Aberdeen School District

Date: Jul 25, 2025

Guaranteeing “Next-Available Position” Reinstatement: The Fifth Circuit’s Expansive Equitable Remedy in McMillian v. Aberdeen School District Introduction The United States Court of Appeals for the...

Fifth Circuit Reaffirms Strict Construction of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(d) and Rejects Ninth Circuit’s Valdivia-Flores Approach: A Commentary on United States v. Ortiz-Rodriguez (2025)

Date: Jul 25, 2025

Fifth Circuit Reaffirms Strict Construction of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(d) and Rejects the “Later-Change-in-Law” Exception: United States v. Ortiz-Rodriguez 1. Introduction In United States v....

Fifth Circuit Re-Affirms Strict Compliance with 8 U.S.C. § 1326(d) for Collateral Attacks on Expedited Removal Orders Despite Subsequent Changes in Aggravated-Felony Law

Date: Jul 25, 2025

Fifth Circuit Re-Affirms Strict Compliance with 8 U.S.C. § 1326(d) for Collateral Attacks on Expedited Removal Orders Despite Subsequent Changes in Aggravated-Felony Law I. Introduction In United...

Fifth Circuit Tightens the Clock: Doe v. City View ISD and the Strict Two-Year Limitations Period for Title IX Claims

Date: Jul 24, 2025

Fifth Circuit Tightens the Clock: Doe v. City View ISD and the Strict Two-Year Limitations Period for Title IX Claims Introduction Jane Doe 1 v. City View Independent School District (Doe v. City...

Fifth Circuit Clarifies Effect of 2023 Guidelines Amendment: Texas Robbery Still a “Crime of Violence”

Date: Jul 24, 2025

Fifth Circuit Clarifies Effect of 2023 Guidelines Amendment: Texas Robbery Still a “Crime of Violence” Introduction United States v. Wickware, No. 24-10519 (5th Cir. July 22 2025), addresses how a...

When “Applicable Law” Isn’t Enough: Fifth Circuit Clarifies the Limits of State Law in Federal Enclaves – A Commentary on Vinales v. AETC II

Date: Jul 24, 2025

When “Applicable Law” Isn’t Enough: Fifth Circuit Clarifies the Limits of State Law in Federal Enclaves – A Commentary on Vinales v. AETC II Introduction Vinales v. AETC II, No. 24-50113 (5th Cir....

Strategic Use of Genetic Predisposition Evidence in Capital Sentencing: Wells v. Guerrero and the Scope of Ineffective-Assistance Challenges

Date: Jul 24, 2025

Strategic Use of Genetic Predisposition Evidence in Capital Sentencing: Wells v. Guerrero and the Scope of Ineffective-Assistance Challenges Introduction In Wells v. Guerrero, No. 24-70002 (5th Cir....

Carter v. City of Shreveport: Fifth Circuit Re-Affirms that the ADA Does Not Create a Medical Standard of Care

Date: Jul 23, 2025

Carter v. City of Shreveport: Fifth Circuit Re-Affirms that the ADA Does Not Create a Medical Standard of Care 1. Introduction In Carter v. City of Shreveport, No. 23-30848 (5th Cir. July 21, 2025),...

“Not the Proper Stuff of a Federal Harassment Claim”: The Fifth Circuit Re-draws the Severity Line for Student-on-Student Title IX Claims in M.K. v. Pearl River County School District

Date: Jul 22, 2025

“Not the Proper Stuff of a Federal Harassment Claim”: The Fifth Circuit Re-draws the Severity Line for Student-on-Student Title IX Claims in M.K. v. Pearl River County School District 1. Introduction...

Fifth Circuit Clarifies that Louisiana Synthetic-Cannabinoid Convictions Are Not Automatically “Controlled Substance Offenses” for Career-Offender Purposes

Date: Jul 22, 2025

Fifth Circuit Clarifies that Louisiana Synthetic-Cannabinoid Convictions Are Not Automatically “Controlled Substance Offenses” for Career-Offender Purposes Introduction In United States v. Edmond,...

Alternative §3553(a) Sentences and Written Statements of Reasons Defeat Plain-Error Challenges to Guideline Miscalculations: The Fifth Circuit Reaffirms Hott and Clarifies Diggles

Date: Jul 15, 2025

Alternative §3553(a) Sentences and Written Statements of Reasons Defeat Plain-Error Challenges to Guideline Miscalculations: The Fifth Circuit Reaffirms Hott and Clarifies Diggles Introduction In...

Williams v. BP: Fifth Circuit Re-Affirms Rigorous Daubert Gate-Keeping and Rejects “Feather-Weight” Causation in Deepwater Horizon BELO Claims

Date: Jul 13, 2025

Williams v. BP: Fifth Circuit Re-Affirms Rigorous Daubert Gate-Keeping and Rejects “Feather-Weight” Causation in Deepwater Horizon BELO Claims Introduction Court / Date: United States Court of...

“Reasonable Relationship, Not Perfect Tailoring” – The Fifth Circuit’s Suicide-Prevention Confinement Standard after Alexander v. Taft

Date: Jul 12, 2025

“Reasonable Relationship, Not Perfect Tailoring” – The Fifth Circuit’s Suicide-Prevention Confinement Standard after Alexander v. Taft I. Introduction In Alexander v. Taft, No. 24-10663 (5th Cir....