4th Circuit Court

Can judge order US to ask El Salvador for migrant’s release? 4th Circuit says yes, return can’t be done ‘telepathically’

A federal appeals court has refused to block a federal judge’s order requiring the U.S. government to “facilitate” a 20-year-old migrant’s return to the United States from a prison in El Salvador in Central America.

May 21, 2025 3:42 PM CDT

Insurance case is ‘but a speck in the recesses of interstellar space,’ high-profile appeals judge writes

In a span of less than a week, a conservative federal appeals judge has written two opinions that are getting attention—for taking a tough stand against the mistaken deportation of an immigrant in one case and for waxing philosophical in another case.

Apr 28, 2025 3:07 PM CDT

Appeals court excoriates Trump administration in illegal deportation case

In a legal battle with escalating tensions, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit on Thursday excoriated the Trump administration for its defiance of a federal judge’s orders that it show how it is facilitating the return of Kilmar Abrego García, a Maryland man who was illegally deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador.

Apr 18, 2025 10:27 AM CDT

Which firms, legal groups, law profs signed briefs supporting Perkins Coie in challenge to punitive Trump order?

Amicus briefs supporting Perkins Coie are piling up in its challenge to a punitive order against the law firm signed by President Donald Trump.

Apr 8, 2025 8:52 AM CDT

EEOC chair requested ‘extensive’ info from law firms on DEI practices and hiring; did it cross a line?

Lawyers and legal experts are expressing concerns that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s recent request for comprehensive information about diversity, equity and inclusion-related employment practices at major law firms is not only invasive but also exceeds its authority.

Mar 20, 2025 1:13 PM CDT

Trump administration can, for now, enforce orders targeting DEI, appeals court says

A federal appeals court said Friday the Trump administration can, for now, enforce two executive orders that target diversity, equity and inclusion efforts within the federal government.

Mar 17, 2025 12:07 PM CDT

Third federal appeals court rejects Trump administration bid on birthright citizenship

The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at Boston on Tuesday refused to allow President Donald Trump’s order on birthright citizenship to take effect, joining two other federal appeals courts that also ruled against the administration on the issue.

Mar 12, 2025 12:05 PM CDT

Co-founder of defunct firm LeClairRyan may be able to avoid tax liability after 4th Circuit decision on his exit

The co-founder and former CEO of the defunct law firm LeClairRyan may be able to avoid tax liability in connection with the firm’s collapse because of a ruling Friday by a federal appeals court.

Feb 12, 2025 10:44 AM CST

Who won election to top North Carolina court? Case belongs in state court, for now, 4th Circuit says

A federal court shouldn’t decide lawsuits over a contested election for a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court, at least not yet, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at Richmond, Virginia, ruled Tuesday.

Feb 5, 2025 3:03 PM CST

5th Circuit overrules itself, finds law banning handgun sales to adults younger than age 21 unconstitutional

After reexamining its precedent, a federal appeals court has ruled that a federal ban on handgun sales to youths ages 18 to 20 violates the Second Amendment.

Feb 4, 2025 11:23 AM CST

SCOTUS will decide whether schools can require LGBTQ-themed books at story time with no opt-outs

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday agreed to decide whether schools can require teachers to read storybooks to elementary-age children with LGBTQ characters and themes over parents’ objections.

Jan 21, 2025 10:27 AM CST

First Amendment bars kosher inspector from suing Jewish nonprofit, 9th Circuit says

A federal appeals court has found that an inspector who ensured that food products complied with Jewish dietary law cannot pursue a job-related lawsuit against the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, a nonprofit corporation that runs the country’s largest kosher certification program.

Jan 2, 2025 1:23 PM CST

SCOTUS will decide whether Medicaid beneficiaries can sue over state’s defunding of Planned Parenthood

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Wednesday to consider whether Medicaid beneficiaries can sue over South Carolina’s decision to defund Planned Parenthood.

Dec 23, 2024 9:23 AM CST

Federal judge offers ‘unreserved apology’ after order says his Alito criticism violated ethics rules

Senior U.S. District Judge Michael A. Ponsor of the District of Massachusetts is offering an “unreserved apology” and a commitment to “scrupulously avoid” future transgressions after he was found to have violated the judicial code of ethics for criticizing U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito in an op-ed in the New York Times.

Dec 18, 2024 12:09 PM CST

Can judge order US to ask El Salvador for migrant’s release? 4th Circuit says yes, return can’t be done ‘telepathically’

Insurance case is ‘but a speck in the recesses of interstellar space,’ high-profile appeals judge writes

Appeals court excoriates Trump administration in illegal deportation case

Which firms, legal groups, law profs signed briefs supporting Perkins Coie in challenge to punitive Trump order?

EEOC chair requested ‘extensive’ info from law firms on DEI practices and hiring; did it cross a line?

Trump administration can, for now, enforce orders targeting DEI, appeals court says

Third federal appeals court rejects Trump administration bid on birthright citizenship

Co-founder of defunct firm LeClairRyan may be able to avoid tax liability after 4th Circuit decision on his exit

Who won election to top North Carolina court? Case belongs in state court, for now, 4th Circuit says

5th Circuit overrules itself, finds law banning handgun sales to adults younger than age 21 unconstitutional

SCOTUS will decide whether schools can require LGBTQ-themed books at story time with no opt-outs

First Amendment bars kosher inspector from suing Jewish nonprofit, 9th Circuit says

Top news stories of 2024

SCOTUS will decide whether Medicaid beneficiaries can sue over state’s defunding of Planned Parenthood

Federal judge offers ‘unreserved apology’ after order says his Alito criticism violated ethics rules

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