9th Circuit Court

Stormy Daniels’ former lawyer Michael Avenatti released from prison, moved to halfway house

Michael Avenatti, the once-high-profile attorney best known for representing adult film actress Stormy Daniels in her unsuccessful defamation lawsuit against President Donald Trump, has been transferred from federal prison to a halfway house in Hollywood in Los Angeles.

Apr 9, 2026 11:03 AM CDT

Justices seem inclined to revive Trump policy blocking migrants at border

The Supreme Court on Tuesday appeared inclined to clear the way for the Trump administration to revive a policy that would allow agents at U.S. borders to block migrants from entering the country to seek asylum.

Mar 24, 2026 2:20 PM CDT

9th Circuit judge rebuked by colleagues for ‘vulgar barroom’ language in dissent

A federal appellate judge has been rebuked by 29 of his colleagues for a recent dissent that featured crass references to male genitalia, according to Bloomberg Law.

Mar 19, 2026 11:18 AM CDT

First grader’s free speech case over ‘Black Lives Mater’ drawing upheld by 9th Circuit

The First Amendment rights of a first grader in Southern California who drew a racially sensitive picture and gave it to a Black student were upheld by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at San Francisco.

Mar 12, 2026 9:56 AM CDT

When it comes to attorney fees, law firm size doesn’t matter, 9th Circuit rules

An appeals court ruling Tuesday determined that a federal judge was wrong to decide that it was “simply unreasonable to award BigLaw rates to a four-person firm,” according to Bloomberg Law.

Feb 25, 2026 9:37 AM CST

Supreme Court considers challenges to laws banning transgender participation in sports

Becky Pepper-Jackson was assigned male at birth but began transitioning to a female gender identity in third grade. Her West Virginia school district has been sympathetic, providing a gender support plan that among other things respects her chosen name and pronouns.

Jan 8, 2026 10:54 AM CST

How to define ‘rebellion’? ‘Black’s Law Dictionary’ enters fray in challenges to federal National Guard deployments

The definition of “rebellion” crafted by Black’s Law Dictionary editor Bryan A. Garner could play a role in challenges to the federalization and deployment of National Guard troops in several U.S. cities.

Nov 19, 2025 9:07 AM CST

Supreme Court to consider case that could limit asylum rights for migrants

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to review the question of when a migrant actually arrives in the United States, in a case that could determine whether migrants intercepted before crossing U.S. borders can apply for asylum.

Nov 17, 2025 1:47 PM CST

Federal judge’s decision tossing youths’ climate lawsuit had ‘silver lining’

A federal judge had some good news for 22 youths in his Oct. 15 decision dismissing their lawsuit seeking to block President Donald Trump’s executive orders promoting fossil fuels.

Oct 21, 2025 9:25 AM CDT

Trump can send troops to Portland, appeals court says

A federal appeals court Monday said President Donald Trump could deploy the National Guard to Portland, Oregon, blocking a judge’s ruling that prohibited his administration from sending troops into the city.

Oct 20, 2025 3:54 PM CDT

‘Hail Mary legal theory’ in Arizona voting suit didn’t justify attorneys’ sanction, dissenting 9th Circuit judges say

A federal trial judge should not have imposed a $122,200 sanction on two lawyers who filed a lawsuit seeking to replace electronic voting machines in Arizona with hand-counted paper ballots, according to six federal appeals judges who dissented from a refusal to grant an en banc rehearing in the case.

Aug 26, 2025 3:49 PM CDT

Trump’s birthright citizenship order faces more bans than before Supreme Court ruling

President Donald Trump hailed the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in June to limit nationwide court injunctions as a “great win,” one that could open a path for his administration to begin enforcing an executive order to end birthright citizenship that had been enjoined by three lower court judges.

Aug 8, 2025 1:50 PM CDT

In challenge by Olympian, 9th Circuit strikes down law requiring background checks to buy ammunition

A California law requiring background checks to buy ammunition violates the Second Amendment, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at San Francisco ruled last week in a 2-1 decision.

Jul 28, 2025 10:22 AM CDT

9th Circuit upholds nationwide injunction in challenge to Trump’s restrictions on birthright citizenship

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at San Francisco has upheld a nationwide preliminary injunction that blocks President Donald Trump’s curtailment of birthright citizenship, finding that a U.S. Supreme Court decision restricting such injunctions does not foreclose universal relief in a lawsuit by four states.

Jul 24, 2025 12:03 PM CDT

California’s 1-gun-per-month law has no ‘historical twin’ or even cousin, 9th Circuit says in striking it down

A California law preventing the purchase of more than one gun in a 30-day period violates the Second Amendment, a federal appeals court ruled Friday.

Jun 23, 2025 11:33 AM CDT