CAFA Jurisdiction Tracks the Operative Amended Complaint: Dropping (and Repleading) Class Allegations Can Remove (and Restore) Federal Jurisdiction I. Introduction Thor Zurbriggen, et al. v. Twin...
Probable Cause to Impound a Vehicle “Used During the Commission” Includes Transportation to the Offense Location I. Introduction In Raymond Echevarria v. Darrin Jackson (7th Cir. June 16, 2026),...
Objective Cognitive Testing and Recordwide Review Can Outweigh a Treating Psychiatrist’s Subjective-Based Opinion; Unraised Theories Are Waived on Appeal Introduction In Jill Staniszewski v. Frank...
Post-Snyder Alternative-Theory Error: Multi-Object § 371 Conspiracies and Pinkerton FCPA Convictions Must Be Vacated Absent Certainty the Jury Convicted on a Valid Object Case: United States v....
Seventh Circuit Requires Vacatur of Multi-Object Conspiracy and Pinkerton-Based FCPA Convictions When Snyder-Invalid § 666 Objects May Have Driven a General Verdict I. Introduction United States v....
Ultra Vires Conduct Does Not Establish Monell “Official Policy” When State Law Unequivocally Commands the Opposite Case: Gary Betts v. Boone County, Illinois, No. 25-1685 Court: United States Court...
FOIA Adequate-Search Review: Dissimilar Search Locations Across Requests Are Not Per Se Unreasonable, and New Search-Term/Good-Faith Challenges Are Forfeited on Appeal I. Introduction In Jacqueline...
Nexus Is Dispositive: The Agency Need Not Reach “Past Persecution” Where Harm Reflects Extortion or Perceived Wealth Rather Than a Protected Ground Case: Juana Garcia Rodriguez v. Todd W. Blanche...
Leon Good-Faith Applies Despite Close Probable Cause Where Affidavit Shows Substantial Access (Not Residency) and Alleged Misstatements/Omissions Are at Most Negligent I. Introduction In United...
Seventh Circuit: Rule 11 “Persist” Omission Not Plain Error When Otherwise Conveyed; Completed Hobbs Act Robbery Remains a § 924(c) Crime of Violence Post-Borden Introduction In United States v....
Res Ipsa Loquitur Requires Probable Defendant Responsibility When Vendor Control Is Shared Case: Rateb Khouri v. Highland Park CVS, L.L.C. and CVS Pharmacy Inc. Court: United States Court of Appeals...
Threats Against a Prosecutor Do Not Require Disqualification Under 28 U.S.C. § 528 Absent a Qualifying “Personal Relationship” (Anders Dismissal) Introduction In United States v. Ademeko...
Seventh Circuit: § 1325(b)(1)(B) Does Not Bar Paying Chapter 13 Debtors’ Attorneys’ Fees During the Commitment Period, and Administrative Fees Need Not Be Paid via Proof of Claim 1. Introduction In...
Minor Editorial Changes, Verifiable “Anonymous” Submissions, and Non-Retraction Policies Do Not Establish Actual Malice (and Sanctions Require Bad Faith) Introduction Jewel Sanitary Napkins, LLC v....
Res Judicata Bars Federal Vagueness and Related Constitutional Claims After Illinois Zoning Enforcement, Even Where Rooker-Feldman Leaves Room for Some Damages 1. Introduction In Clay Wortham v....
Seventh Circuit: A Rote § 3553(a) Recitation—Even at the Bottom of the Guidelines—Is Procedurally Inadequate Without an Individualized Response to Mitigation 1. Introduction In United States v. Frank...
“Relating To” in § 2252A(b)(2) Is Broad: Indiana Child Molesting (§ 35-42-4-3(b)) Categorically Triggers the Mandatory Minimum I. Introduction United States v. Joshua Schatz (7th Cir. June 9, 2026)...
Unreviewed State Administrative Decisions Do Not Preclude Title VII Claims, But Can Bar § 1983 and State-Law Claims Introduction Vairrun Strickland v. City of Markham (Seventh Circuit, decided June...
Chapter 13 Plans May Pay Debtors’ Attorneys’ Fees During the Commitment Period Despite a § 1325(b)(1)(B) Objection Introduction In City of Chicago v. Ahmed Alayah (Nos. 25-2878 & 25-2879), the...
Revolinsky v. Bayer: Enforcing MDL Common-Benefit Fee Protocols and Limiting Post-Approval Fee Reallocation Challenges I. Introduction In Laura Revolinsky v. Bayer Corporation, the Seventh Circuit...