7th Circuit Case Commentaries

“No Continuing Seizure” and the Abandonment Doctrine Reaffirmed: Carter v. Cook County Sheriff

Date: Jul 5, 2025

“No Continuing Seizure” and the Abandonment Doctrine Reaffirmed: Carter v. Cook County Sheriff, Seventh Circuit (2025) 1. Introduction Alexander Carter and eight co-plaintiffs, all former detainees...

From Moderate Limits to Logical Bridges: Moy v. Bisignano Clarifies the RFC Standard for Concentration, Persistence, and Pace

Date: Jul 3, 2025

From Moderate Limits to Logical Bridges: Moy v. Bisignano Clarifies the RFC Standard for Concentration, Persistence, and Pace 1. Introduction The Seventh Circuit’s decision in Ferida Moy v. Frank...

“Braking the Cat’s Paw” – Seventh Circuit Narrows Retaliatory Causation in Johnson v. Accenture LLP

Date: Jul 3, 2025

“Braking the Cat’s Paw” – Seventh Circuit Narrows Retaliatory Causation in Johnson v. Accenture LLP 1. Introduction In an opinion rendered on 2 July 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh...

Seventh Circuit Clarifies “Representative-Sample” Rule for Ex-Ante Attorney-Fee Calculations

Date: Jul 3, 2025

Seventh Circuit Clarifies “Representative-Sample” Rule for Ex-Ante Attorney-Fee Calculations Introduction The Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit has issued its second opinion in the sprawling...

The “Role-Specific Incompatibility” Doctrine: Seventh Circuit Narrows First-Amendment Protection for Public-Employee Speech in Darlingh v. Maddaleni

Date: Jul 3, 2025

The “Role-Specific Incompatibility” Doctrine: Seventh Circuit Narrows First-Amendment Protection for Public-Employee Speech in Marissa Darlingh v. Adria Maddaleni Introduction On 2 July 2025, the...

“Proxy-Testing” Fraud Claims after Wertymer v. Walmart: The Seventh Circuit Demands Non-Speculative Allegations When Alternative Explanations Exist

Date: Jul 3, 2025

“Proxy-Testing” Fraud Claims after Wertymer v. Walmart: The Seventh Circuit Demands Non-Speculative Allegations When Alternative Explanations Exist Introduction In John Wertymer v. Walmart Inc. (No....

No Right Without Eligibility: Seventh Circuit Rejects “Anticipatory” FMLA Retaliation and Re-Affirms the High Bar for Constructive Discharge – Commentary on Melissa Myers v. Sunman-Dearborn Community Schools (7th Cir. 2025)

Date: Jul 3, 2025

No Right Without Eligibility: Seventh Circuit Rejects “Anticipatory” FMLA Retaliation and Re-Affirms the High Bar for Constructive Discharge 1. Introduction Melissa Myers, a veteran instructional...

“Big‐Number, Simple Math” – Seventh Circuit Clarifies that Voluminous Calculations Alone Do Not Convert a Lay Summary Witness into an Expert (United States v. Fenner & Birkley, 2025)

Date: Jul 3, 2025

“Big‐Number, Simple Math” – Seventh Circuit Clarifies that Voluminous Calculations Alone Do Not Convert a Lay Summary Witness into an Expert Commentary on United States v. Brian Fenner & Dennis...

“The Curtin Principle”: Express Agreement as Waiver and the ‘Commonsense’ Test for Expert Testimony under Rule 702

Date: Jul 3, 2025

“The Curtin Principle”: Express Agreement as Waiver and the ‘Commonsense’ Test for Expert Testimony under Rule 702 1. Introduction United States v. Dana Curtin, No. 23-3368 (7th Cir. July 1, 2025),...

The “Fenner-Birkley Framework” – Seventh Circuit Clarifies Bruton, Lay-Summary Testimony, and Restitution in Complex Fraud Cases

Date: Jul 3, 2025

The “Fenner-Birkley Framework” – Seventh Circuit Clarifies Bruton, Lay-Summary Testimony, and Restitution in Complex Fraud Cases Introduction United States v. Dennis Birkley (consolidated with United...

Rule 50 Specificity and the Limits of Constructive-Discharge Damages under the FMLA – A Commentary on Ziccarelli v. Dart (7th Cir. 2025)

Date: Jul 3, 2025

Rule 50 Specificity and the Limits of Constructive-Discharge Damages under the FMLA – Commentary on Salvatore Ziccarelli v. Thomas Dart, 7th Cir. 2025 1. Introduction The Seventh Circuit’s decision...

No Affirmative Union Duty to Initiate Discrimination Grievance Absent Member Request: Commentary on Sullers v. International Union Elevator Constructors, Local 2 (7th Cir. 2025)

Date: Jun 30, 2025

No Affirmative Union Duty to Initiate Discrimination Grievance Absent Member Request: A Detailed Commentary on Anthony B. Sullers, Sr. v. International Union of Elevator Constructors, Local 2, 7th...

Seventh Circuit Confirms Muldrow’s “Some-Harm” Standard Applies Broadly to ADEA Claims – A Comment on Mary Arnold v. United Airlines, Inc.

Date: Jun 30, 2025

Seventh Circuit Confirms Muldrow’s “Some-Harm” Standard Applies Broadly to ADEA Claims Introduction Mary Ann Arnold spent twenty-six years working in corporate communications at United Airlines...

United States v. Haddad, Jr.: The Seventh Circuit Clarifies Plain-Error Review and Anders Procedure in Supervised-Release Revocations

Date: Jun 30, 2025

United States v. Haddad, Jr.: The Seventh Circuit Clarifies Plain-Error Review and Anders Procedure in Supervised-Release Revocations 1. Introduction In United States v. Ronald Haddad, Jr., Nos....

Seventh Circuit Clarifies Plain-Error Review of Impermissible § 3553(a) Factors in Supervised-Release Revocations – Comment on United States v. Haddad

Date: Jun 30, 2025

Seventh Circuit Clarifies Plain-Error Review of Impermissible § 3553(a) Factors in Supervised-Release Revocations Comprehensive Commentary on United States v. Ronald Haddad, Jr., Nos. 24-2855 et al....

United States v. Haddad, Jr.: Seventh Circuit Clarifies Plain-Error Review When Impermissible § 3553(a) Factors Appear in Revocation Sentencing

Date: Jun 30, 2025

United States v. Haddad, Jr.: Seventh Circuit Clarifies Plain-Error Review When Impermissible § 3553(a) Factors Appear in Revocation Sentencing Introduction Ronald Haddad, Jr. appealed the revocation...

United States v. Haddad: Clarifying Plain-Error Review When Impermissible § 3553(a) Factors Creep into Revocation Sentencing

Date: Jun 30, 2025

United States v. Haddad: Clarifying Plain-Error Review When Impermissible § 3553(a) Factors Creep into Revocation Sentencing Introduction United States v. Ronald Haddad, Jr., Nos. 24-2855, 25-1484,...

The “Actual-Innocence” Gateway Post-Taylor: Seventh Circuit Narrows Collateral Relief Under § 2255 in Cobbs v. United States

Date: Jun 30, 2025

The “Actual-Innocence” Gateway Post-Taylor: Seventh Circuit Narrows Collateral Relief Under § 2255 in Cobbs v. United States Introduction On 26 June 2025 the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit...

The Barnes Rule: Recruiting and Directing a Single Accomplice Constitutes Supervisory Role under U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1(c) and Bars Safety-Valve Relief

Date: Jun 30, 2025

The Barnes Rule: Recruiting and Directing a Single Accomplice Constitutes Supervisory Role under U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1(c) and Bars Safety-Valve Relief 1. Introduction United States v. Zachary Barnes,...

Pufahl v. Commissioner of Social Security – Seventh Circuit Clarifies Deference Owed to Treating-Source Opinions and Adequacy of “Two-Hour-Segment” Limitations in SSA Disability Cases

Date: Jun 30, 2025

Pufahl v. Commissioner of Social Security (7th Cir. 2025) Clarifying the Limits of Treating-Physician Deference and the Sufficiency of “Two-Hour-Segment” Concentration Restrictions 1. Introduction...