Puerto Rico Case Commentaries

Word-Limit Rejection of Prison Grievance Appeals Constitutes Non-Exhaustion Under the PLRA; § 1997e(a) Dismissals Must Be Without Prejudice

Date: Aug 26, 2026

Word-Limit Rejection of Prison Grievance Appeals Constitutes Non-Exhaustion Under the PLRA; § 1997e(a) Dismissals Must Be Without Prejudice 1. Introduction In Brandon Porter v. Christopher Hoch (7th...

Consistent, Supplemented Hiring Explanations Do Not Show Pretext Absent Evidence of Mendacity

Date: Aug 26, 2026

Consistent, Supplemented Hiring Explanations Do Not Show Pretext Absent Evidence of Mendacity 1. Introduction Richard Highbaugh v. Exelead, Inc. (7th Cir. Aug. 24, 2026) arises from a failed...

Harmless-Error Affirmance Where Disputed Lay/Expert Yield Estimates Do Not Cure a Failure of Proof on Conversion

Date: Aug 26, 2026

Harmless-Error Affirmance Where Disputed Lay/Expert Yield Estimates Do Not Cure a Failure of Proof on Conversion 1. Introduction Valley View Farms v. BOS Dairy LLC (7th Cir. Aug. 24, 2026) arises out...

Continuous Michigan Class-Action Tolling for § 1983 Takings Claims When a Putative Class Case Is Reopened (MCR 3.501(F))

Date: Aug 26, 2026

Continuous Michigan Class-Action Tolling for § 1983 Takings Claims When a Putative Class Case Is Reopened (MCR 3.501(F)) 1. Introduction Brent Perry v. St. Joseph Cnty., Mich. arises out of Michigan...

Sixth Circuit: Younger Abstention Does Not Apply to a State University’s Preliminary Investigation Absent a Formal, Ongoing Disciplinary Proceeding

Date: Aug 26, 2026

Sixth Circuit: Younger Abstention Does Not Apply to a State University’s Preliminary Investigation Absent a Formal, Ongoing Disciplinary Proceeding I. Introduction In Ramsi Woodcock v. Univ. of Ky.,...

Two-Step Gatekeeping for “Claimed Board-Certified” Specialties and Alleged Care-at-Issue Under A.R.S. § 12-2604

Date: Aug 26, 2026

Two-Step Gatekeeping for “Claimed Board-Certified” Specialties and Alleged Care-at-Issue Under A.R.S. § 12-2604 1. Introduction AROJOJOYE v. ALLEN is an Arizona Supreme Court decision addressing...

Jurisdiction First: Speculative Traceability Defeats Article III Standing and Requires a Without-Prejudice Dismissal

Date: Aug 26, 2026

Jurisdiction First: Speculative Traceability Defeats Article III Standing and Requires a Without-Prejudice Dismissal 1. Introduction Fiona Blair v. President and Fellows of Harvard College (11th Cir....

Title IX “Before-the-Fact” Liability: Hiring/Retention Deliberate Indifference Based on Known Prior Sexual-Misconduct Suspension

Date: Aug 26, 2026

Title IX “Before-the-Fact” Liability: Hiring/Retention Deliberate Indifference Based on Known Prior Sexual-Misconduct Suspension Case: Jane Doe, II v. Founding Fourteen, Inc (11th Cir. Aug. 21, 2026)...

Unimplemented Criminal-Code Changes and Family Threats Do Not Establish “Material Changed Country Conditions” to Excuse Untimely, Number-Barred Motions to Reopen

Date: Aug 26, 2026

Unimplemented Criminal-Code Changes and Family Threats Do Not Establish “Material Changed Country Conditions” to Excuse Untimely, Number-Barred Motions to Reopen 1. Introduction In Masri Sastrawan v....

United States v. Braxton: General Sentencing Objection Forfeits Specific Procedural Claims; § 3553(c) Satisfied When Reasons Are Clear From the Record

Date: Aug 26, 2026

United States v. Braxton: General Sentencing Objection Forfeits Specific Procedural Claims; § 3553(c) Satisfied When Reasons Are Clear From the Record Court: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh...

Explicit Sentencing Findings Required for §2D1.1(b)(1) Firearm Enhancements—Especially When Based on Co‑Conspirator Conduct

Date: Aug 26, 2026

Explicit Sentencing Findings Required for § 2D1.1(b)(1) Firearm Enhancements—Especially When Based on Co‑Conspirator Conduct Case: United States v. Victor Uriel Diego Estrada (11th Cir. Aug. 21,...

Rule 60(b) Relief After a Younger Dismissal: No “Prospective” Judgment, No “Extraordinary Circumstances,” and Frivolous Constitutional Attacks on Texas’s Vexatious-Litigant Regime

Date: Aug 26, 2026

Rule 60(b) Relief After a Younger Dismissal: No “Prospective” Judgment, No “Extraordinary Circumstances,” and Frivolous Constitutional Attacks on Texas’s Vexatious-Litigant Regime 1. Introduction In...

Fifth Circuit Mandamus: District Courts Must Apply the § 1404(a) Eight-Factor Framework; Timeliness Alone Cannot Defeat Transfer

Date: Aug 26, 2026

Mandamus Requiring a § 1404(a) Eight-Factor Venue Analysis: Timeliness Cannot Be Treated as Dispositive Case: In re Media Matters for America; Eric Hananoki; Angelo Carusone, No. 25-10630 Court:...

Erroneous Rule 41(a)(2) Partial Dismissals Remain Final for Appeal; AWCPA § 120(a) Limits Only Architectural-Works Rights and Functions as an Affirmative Defense

Date: Aug 26, 2026

Erroneous Rule 41(a)(2) Partial Dismissals Remain Final for Appeal; AWCPA § 120(a) Limits Only Architectural-Works Rights and Functions as an Affirmative Defense I. Introduction Kipp Flores...

Accuracy-Related Partnership Penalties Under § 6662 Are “Taxes” for AIA/DJA Jurisdiction-Stripping Purposes

Date: Aug 26, 2026

Accuracy-Related Partnership Penalties Under § 6662 Are “Taxes” for AIA/DJA Jurisdiction-Stripping Purposes Case: Norcave Properties, L.L.C. v. Internal Revenue Service, No. 25-30542 (5th Cir. Aug....

FVRA Incumbent-First-Assistant Rule and Anti-Circumvention Bar on “Total Delegation” of a Vacant U.S. Attorney’s Powers

Date: Aug 26, 2026

FVRA Incumbent-First-Assistant Rule and Anti-Circumvention Bar on “Total Delegation” of a Vacant U.S. Attorney’s Powers 1. Introduction Case: In re Grand Jury Subpoenas to the Office of the New York...

Section 1958 “Consideration” Means Reciprocal Inducement (Not Employment): The Second Circuit’s Rule for Murder-for-Hire

Date: Aug 26, 2026

Section 1958 “Consideration” Means Reciprocal Inducement (Not Employment): The Second Circuit’s Rule for Murder-for-Hire I. Introduction In United States v. Martin (2d Cir. Aug. 21, 2026), the Second...

AEDPA and Mixed IQ Scores: No Clearly Established Right to an Atkins Hearing When One Valid Score Exceeds Oklahoma’s 76 Cutoff

Date: Aug 26, 2026

AEDPA and Mixed IQ Scores: No Clearly Established Right to an Atkins Hearing When One Valid Score Exceeds Oklahoma’s 76 Cutoff Case: Fuston v. Quick, No. 24-6166 (10th Cir. Aug. 21, 2026) (published)...

Qualified Immunity Demands Fact-Specific “Clearly Established” Law: No Clearly Established Right for a Non-Custodial Uncle to Cohabitate with Minor Nieces

Date: Aug 26, 2026

Qualified Immunity Demands Fact-Specific “Clearly Established” Law: No Clearly Established Right for a Non-Custodial Uncle to Cohabitate with Minor Nieces 1. Introduction In Kilroy Watkins v. Sharon...

“Equal-Opportunity Incivility” and the Proof Gap: No Hostile Environment, Constructive Discharge, Pretext, or Retaliation Without Evidence Tying Mistreatment to Protected Status

Date: Aug 26, 2026

“Equal-Opportunity Incivility” and the Proof Gap: No Hostile Environment, Constructive Discharge, Pretext, or Retaliation Without Evidence Tying Mistreatment to Protected Status I. Introduction In...