no-formal-hierarchy-required:-third-circuit-affirms-tier-iii-designation-of-the-grey-wolves-and-broad-reach-of-the-ina’s-material-support-bar Case Commentaries

Pro Se PLRA Three-Strikes Screening: R&R Objections Alleging Imminent Danger Must Be Treated as a Rule 15 Amendment or Motion to Amend

Date: Aug 24, 2026

Pro Se PLRA Three-Strikes Screening: R&R Objections Alleging Imminent Danger Must Be Treated as a Rule 15 Amendment or Motion to Amend 1. Introduction In John Wilson, Jr. v. Secretary, Florida...

Impeachment-Only, Ambiguous “Admission” Does Not Render a Trial Fundamentally Unfair; AEDPA Deference to Chapman Harmlessness and Independent Brecht Review

Date: Aug 24, 2026

Impeachment-Only, Ambiguous “Admission” Does Not Render a Trial Fundamentally Unfair; AEDPA Deference to Chapman Harmlessness and Independent Brecht Review I. Introduction In Wakilii Brown v....

Voluntary Dismissal Without Prejudice of Remaining Claims Defeats § 1291 Finality (Even for Appellee Counterclaims)

Date: Aug 24, 2026

Voluntary Dismissal Without Prejudice of Remaining Claims Defeats § 1291 Finality (Even for Appellee Counterclaims) Case: Air-Con, Inc. v. Daikin Applied Latin America, LLC (1st Cir. Aug. 21, 2026)...

Pleading Specific Contractual Promises and “Special Circumstances” to Impose Expanded Duties on Insurance Brokers

Date: Aug 24, 2026

Pleading Specific Contractual Promises and “Special Circumstances” to Impose Expanded Duties on Insurance Brokers Introduction In Galakatos v. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (1st Cir. Aug. 21,...

Hurley v. Curtis: Conclusory “Continued Search” Claims and Undeveloped Theories Cannot Defeat Summary Judgment; Qualified Immunity Shields Second-Responder Emergency-Aid Entries Absent Clearly Established Limits

Date: Aug 24, 2026

Hurley v. Curtis: Conclusory “Continued Search” Claims and Undeveloped Theories Cannot Defeat Summary Judgment; Qualified Immunity Shields Second-Responder Emergency-Aid Entries Absent Clearly...

Emergency-Aid Overdose Responses: Conclusory Search Allegations Fail and a Second Responding Officer’s Entry Is Not Clearly Unlawful for Qualified-Immunity Purposes

Date: Aug 24, 2026

Emergency-Aid Overdose Responses: Conclusory Search Allegations Fail and a Second Responding Officer’s Entry Is Not Clearly Unlawful for Qualified-Immunity Purposes I. Introduction Skeffington v....

United States v. Bourget: Whitley-Factor Proof of § 242 Willfulness in Prison Excessive-Force Cases and Trial-Court Discretion to Exclude “Training” Videos Under Rules 401/403

Date: Aug 24, 2026

United States v. Bourget: Whitley-Factor Proof of § 242 Willfulness in Prison Excessive-Force Cases and Trial-Court Discretion to Exclude “Training” Videos Under Rules 401/403 Introduction In United...

FDA’s “Comparative-Efficacy” PMTA Requirement Is a Substantive Rule Requiring APA Notice-and-Comment (and Cannot Be Imposed via Informal Adjudication)

Date: Aug 24, 2026

FDA’s “Comparative-Efficacy” PMTA Requirement Is a Substantive Rule Requiring APA Notice-and-Comment (and Cannot Be Imposed via Informal Adjudication) Introduction In Breeze Smoke, L.L.C. v. FDA...

Rule 23(f) Limits and No Pendent Review of FLSA Collective Certification Absent “Inextricably Intertwined” Issues

Date: Aug 24, 2026

Rule 23(f) Limits and No Pendent Review of FLSA Collective Certification Absent “Inextricably Intertwined” Issues Case: Hamm v. Ochsner-Acadia (5th Cir. Aug. 19, 2026) Court: United States Court of...

Comparative-Efficacy PMTA Denials Require APA Notice-and-Comment: Fifth Circuit Treats FDA’s ENDS Standard as a Substantive Rule

Date: Aug 24, 2026

Comparative-Efficacy PMTA Denials Require APA Notice-and-Comment: Fifth Circuit Treats FDA’s ENDS Standard as a Substantive Rule Case: Lead by Sales, L.L.C. v. FDA (consolidated) Court: U.S. Court of...

Fifth Circuit: FDA’s Comparative-Efficacy Requirement for ENDS PMTAs Is a Substantive Rule Requiring APA Notice-and-Comment (Cannot Be Imposed via Informal Adjudication)

Date: Aug 24, 2026

Fifth Circuit: FDA’s Comparative-Efficacy Requirement for ENDS PMTAs Is a Substantive Rule Requiring APA Notice-and-Comment (Cannot Be Imposed via Informal Adjudication) I. Introduction Vapermate,...

Essential-Function and Reasonable-Accommodation Questions Under § 504 Are Generally for the Factfinder; RA Disparate-Impact Requires Comparative Proof

Date: Aug 24, 2026

Essential-Function and Reasonable-Accommodation Questions Under § 504 Are Generally for the Factfinder; RA Disparate-Impact Requires Comparative Proof Case: Carolyn Gardner v. Kutztown University (3d...

CAFA Local-Controversy “Significant Basis” Requires a Complaint-Focused, Comparative Conduct Analysis; Jurisdictional Remand Characterization Bars § 1291 Review

Date: Aug 24, 2026

CAFA Local-Controversy “Significant Basis” Requires a Complaint-Focused, Comparative Conduct Analysis; Jurisdictional Remand Characterization Bars § 1291 Review 1. Introduction Parties and posture....

Claims-Made Coverage Barred by Unambiguous Prior-Knowledge Provision When Pre-Policy Events Create a Reasonable Basis to Expect a Claim

Date: Aug 24, 2026

Claims-Made Coverage Barred by Unambiguous Prior-Knowledge Provision When Pre-Policy Events Create a Reasonable Basis to Expect a Claim Case: Meshinsky & Associates LLC v. Continental Casualty Co...

Plain-Language Enforcement of “Prior Knowledge” Provisions Bars Coverage Under Claims-Made Professional Liability Policies

Date: Aug 24, 2026

Plain-Language Enforcement of “Prior Knowledge” Provisions Bars Coverage Under Claims-Made Professional Liability Policies 1. Introduction In Meshinsky & Associates LLC v. Continental Casualty Co...

Rooker-Feldman and Eleventh Amendment Dismissals Must Be Without Prejudice Even When Other Claims Fail on the Merits

Date: Aug 24, 2026

Rooker-Feldman and Eleventh Amendment Dismissals Must Be Without Prejudice Even When Other Claims Fail on the Merits 1. Introduction In Richard Silverberg v. DuPont De Nemours Inc. (Third Circuit,...

Renewal-Notice Clauses Apply Only to Insurer-Elected Nonrenewal, Not Insured’s Failure to Timely Accept a Renewal Offer

Date: Aug 24, 2026

Renewal-Notice Clauses Apply Only to Insurer-Elected Nonrenewal, Not Insured’s Failure to Timely Accept a Renewal Offer Introduction In Virgin Grand Estates #60 Villa Association v. Inter-Ocean...

Bio-Lab, Inc. v. Tartt: Equitable Relief Requires a Cognizable Injury and Traditional Equity Prerequisites; Scope of Injunction in Federal Diversity Likely Governed by Federal Equity

Date: Aug 24, 2026

Bio-Lab, Inc. v. Tartt: Equitable Relief Requires a Cognizable Injury and Traditional Equity Prerequisites; Scope of Injunction in Federal Diversity Likely Governed by Federal Equity Court: Supreme...

Transferred Intent Sustains Malice Murder; Trial Concessions and Requested Charges Constitute Affirmative Waiver

Date: Aug 24, 2026

Transferred Intent Sustains Malice Murder; Trial Concessions and Requested Charges Constitute Affirmative Waiver Simmons v. State Supreme Court of Georgia Decided: August 18, 2026 1. Introduction In...

Rule 11(b)(1)(O) Plain-Error Vacatur: Immigration Advisement Cannot Be Deemed Immaterial for Unlawfully Present Noncitizens

Date: Aug 24, 2026

Rule 11(b)(1)(O) Plain-Error Vacatur: Immigration Advisement Cannot Be Deemed Immaterial for Unlawfully Present Noncitizens Introduction In United States v. Andres Alvarado (11th Cir. Aug. 18, 2026)...