defining-& Case Commentaries

When “Hypothetical” Risk Factors Mask Realized Risks—and Strategy Labels Mislead: The Second Circuit’s Partial Revival of Peloton Securities Claims

Date: Aug 31, 2025

When “Hypothetical” Risk Factors Mask Realized Risks—and Strategy Labels Mislead: The Second Circuit’s Partial Revival of Peloton Securities Claims Introduction This commentary analyzes the Second...

O’Neill v. Deml: Second Circuit Holds No Duty to Warn Pro Se § 2254 Petitioners About Mixed Petitions, Stays, or AEDPA Deadlines

Date: Aug 31, 2025

O’Neill v. Deml: Second Circuit Holds No Duty to Warn Pro Se § 2254 Petitioners About Mixed Petitions, Stays, or AEDPA Deadlines Introduction In O’Neill v. Deml, No. 23-620 (2d Cir. Aug. 27, 2025),...

After Egbert, DHS’s § 287.10 Grievance Scheme Forecloses Bivens Claims Against HSI Agents; Fabrication‑Based False Arrest Presents a New Bivens Context in the Second Circuit

Date: Aug 31, 2025

After Egbert, DHS’s § 287.10 Grievance Scheme Forecloses Bivens Claims Against HSI Agents; Fabrication‑Based False Arrest Presents a New Bivens Context in the Second Circuit Introduction In...

Schnabel Goes Offline: Later‑Sent, Unflagged Arbitration Clauses in Mailed “Welcome Packages” Do Not Bind Absent Clear Notice and Assent

Date: Aug 31, 2025

Schnabel Goes Offline: Later‑Sent, Unflagged Arbitration Clauses in Mailed “Welcome Packages” Do Not Bind Absent Clear Notice and Assent Introduction In Sudakow v. CleanChoice Energy, Inc., the...

Depraved‑Mind Attempted Murder Qualifies as a “Crime of Violence” Under the Guidelines: United States v. Delgado (2d Cir. 2025)

Date: Aug 31, 2025

Depraved‑Mind Attempted Murder Qualifies as a “Crime of Violence” Under the Guidelines: United States v. Delgado (2d Cir. 2025) Introduction United States v. Delgado is a precedential Second Circuit...

CDIU Reports as Reliable Hearsay and a Basis to Discount Medical Opinions under Post‑2017 SSA Rules: Eleventh Circuit Clarifies in Gonzalez Castillo v. Commissioner

Date: Aug 31, 2025

CDIU Reports as Reliable Hearsay and a Basis to Discount Medical Opinions under Post‑2017 SSA Rules Commentary on: Marta Gonzalez Castillo v. Commissioner of Social Security (11th Cir. Aug. 27, 2025)...

Unchallenged Vocational Expert Testimony Suffices at Step Five; No Sua Sponte Duty to Verify Job Numbers: Eleventh Circuit in Screen v. Acting Commissioner of Social Security

Date: Aug 31, 2025

Unchallenged Vocational Expert Testimony Suffices at Step Five; No Sua Sponte Duty to Verify Job Numbers: Eleventh Circuit in Screen v. Acting Commissioner of Social Security Court: U.S. Court of...

Experience-Based Premium Rates and Private Fee Awards: Eleventh Circuit Affirms Lodestar Flexibility and Rejects Excessive Fines Challenge in Sanctions-Fee Case

Date: Aug 31, 2025

Experience-Based Premium Rates and Private Fee Awards: Eleventh Circuit Affirms Lodestar Flexibility and Rejects Excessive Fines Challenge in Sanctions-Fee Case Introduction In Spencer Sheehan v. Big...

Seriousness Over Statistical Averages: Eleventh Circuit Affirms Broad District Court Discretion Under § 3553(a) in Child‑Pornography Sentencing

Date: Aug 31, 2025

Seriousness Over Statistical Averages: Eleventh Circuit Affirms Broad District Court Discretion Under § 3553(a) in Child‑Pornography Sentencing Case: United States v. Jonathon Fernandez‑Herak, Nos....

Eleventh Circuit reaffirms discretion to prioritize offense seriousness over national sentencing averages under § 3553(a), upholding a below‑Guidelines sentence for child‑pornography distribution

Date: Aug 31, 2025

Eleventh Circuit reaffirms discretion to prioritize offense seriousness over national sentencing averages under § 3553(a), upholding a below‑Guidelines sentence for child‑pornography distribution...

No Safe Harbor in Broad, Circular “Professional” Groups: Eleventh Circuit Affirms Non‑Cognizability of Gang‑Targeted Professionals and Reiterates that Credibility Alone Does Not Compel Asylum

Date: Aug 31, 2025

No Safe Harbor in Broad, Circular “Professional” Groups: Eleventh Circuit Affirms Non‑Cognizability of Gang‑Targeted Professionals and Reiterates that Credibility Alone Does Not Compel Asylum Case:...

Sixth Circuit: Seeking a Merits Dismissal Before Invoking Arbitration Constitutes FAA “Default,” Extinguishing the Right to Arbitrate

Date: Aug 31, 2025

Sixth Circuit: Seeking a Merits Dismissal Before Invoking Arbitration Constitutes FAA “Default,” Extinguishing the Right to Arbitrate Introduction This published decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals...

Tenth Circuit Clarifies: Neutral COVID-19 Vaccination Attestation Is Not an ADA “Medical Inquiry,” and Termination for Noncompliance with a Generally Applicable Vaccine Policy Does Not State ADA Retaliation

Date: Aug 31, 2025

Tenth Circuit Clarifies: Neutral COVID-19 Vaccination Attestation Is Not an ADA “Medical Inquiry,” and Termination for Noncompliance with a Generally Applicable Vaccine Policy Does Not State ADA...

Parental Orchestration Is Not a Shield: Tenth Circuit Reaffirms Broad Discretion to Transfer Juveniles to Adult Court Where Dangerousness Outweighs Amenability to Treatment

Date: Aug 31, 2025

Parental Orchestration Is Not a Shield: Tenth Circuit Reaffirms Broad Discretion to Transfer Juveniles to Adult Court Where Dangerousness Outweighs Amenability to Treatment Case: United States v....

Counsel of Choice Is Not Absolute: Tenth Circuit Denies COA Where Indigent Defendant Sought Eleventh-Hour Substitution Without Showing Retained Counsel

Date: Aug 31, 2025

Counsel of Choice Is Not Absolute: Tenth Circuit Denies COA Where Indigent Defendant Sought Eleventh-Hour Substitution Without Showing Retained Counsel Introduction In United States v. Laskey, No....

No Innocent Construction for Accusations of POA Self‑Dealing; Employee Admissions Admissible to Prove Abuse of Qualified Privilege; Estate-Administrator Access Falls Within PIPA’s Good‑Faith Exception

Date: Aug 31, 2025

No Innocent Construction for Accusations of POA Self‑Dealing; Employee Admissions Admissible to Prove Abuse of Qualified Privilege; Estate-Administrator Access Falls Within PIPA’s Good‑Faith...

Intended Loss Includes Pre‑Scheme Funds Placed at Risk; No Investor‑by‑Investor Tracing Required, and Restitution May Cover All Scheme Victims — United States v. Miller (7th Cir. 2025)

Date: Aug 31, 2025

Intended Loss Includes Pre‑Scheme Funds Placed at Risk; No Investor‑by‑Investor Tracing Required, and Restitution May Cover All Scheme Victims — United States v. Miller (7th Cir. 2025) Introduction...

Toward the “Vanishing Point”: First Circuit Clarifies Minimal Weight for Structural Conflicts When Administrators Mitigate Bias and Provide Reasoned Explanations under ERISA — Commentary on Bernitz v. USAble Life

Date: Aug 31, 2025

Toward the “Vanishing Point”: First Circuit Clarifies Minimal Weight for Structural Conflicts When Administrators Mitigate Bias and Provide Reasoned Explanations under ERISA — Commentary on Bernitz...

Implicit Compliance with Adm.Code 4121-3-34(D)(3)(i): Hearing Officers Need Not Itemize Every Psychological Restriction in PTD Orders

Date: Aug 31, 2025

Implicit Compliance with Adm.Code 4121-3-34(D)(3)(i): Hearing Officers Need Not Itemize Every Psychological Restriction in PTD Orders Introduction In State ex rel. Urban v. Wano Expiditing, Inc.,...

No Ex Post Facto Relief Where Duty Pre‑Existed 2007 SVORA: Waiver by Unconditional Plea and Direct‑Appeal Bar Reaffirmed (Benton v. State, Mont. 2025) – Nonprecedential

Date: Aug 31, 2025

No Ex Post Facto Relief Where Duty Pre‑Existed 2007 SVORA: Waiver by Unconditional Plea and Direct‑Appeal Bar Reaffirmed Benton v. State, 2025 MT 191N (Mont. Aug. 26, 2025) — Memorandum opinion,...

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