Author: Sara Reynolds
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U.S. Supreme Court rules plaintiffs can seek punitive damages for 1998 bombings
The U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion in Opati v. Republic of Sudan. The case originated in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and was argued on February 24, 2020. It concerned the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) and questioned if the Act prohibited plaintiffs from recovering punitive damages against…
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Georgia Supreme Court upholds canceled election, appointment of Blackwell’s successor
Georgia Supreme Court Justice Keith Blackwell’s seat was expected to be up for nonpartisan election on June 9, 2020. Blackwell announced in February that he is retiring on November 18. At that time, the state supreme court announced that Governor Brian Kemp (R) would appoint Blackwell’s replacement. The appointment was challenged in court, and the state supreme court…
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U.S. Supreme Court rules Lucky Brand not barred from raising new claims in trademark infringement case
Lucky Brand Dungarees v. Marcel Fashion Group was argued on January 13, 2020. The case came on a writ of certiorari to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit. It concerned trademark infringement and three legal challenges between apparel companies Marcel Fashion Group, Inc. (“Marcel”) and Lucky Brand Dungarees, Inc. (“Lucky Brand”). The…
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Supreme Court issues opinions on cases involving property fraud and immigration
On May 7, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) issued rulings in two cases argued during its October 2019 term. The court has issued 31 decisions this term. Kelly v. United States concerned a scheme to reduce local traffic lanes on the George Washington Bridge as retaliation after Fort Lee’s mayor refused to…
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Ballotpedia releases federal judicial vacancy count for April
In this month’s federal judicial vacancy count, Ballotpedia tracked nominations, confirmations, and vacancies from April 3, 2020, to May 1, 2020. Ballotpedia publishes the federal judicial vacancy count at the start of each month. HIGHLIGHTS • Vacancies: There have been two new judicial vacancies since the March 2020 report. There are 77 vacancies out of 870 active Article III judicial…
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U.S. Supreme Court to hear cases via teleconference
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in five cases on May 4, 5, and 6. The court announced new procedures for conducting oral arguments via conference call. The cases had been previously postponed in March and April. The Court will use a teleconferencing system to hear oral arguments. Several new procedures were announced, including…
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SCOTUS issues opinions in cases concerning ACA, copyright, and NYC’s former ban on transporting firearms
On April 27, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) issued rulings in three cases argued during its October Term 2019-2020. The court has issued 29 decisions this term. Maine Community Health Options v. United States concerned the “Risk Corridors” program of Section 1342 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The case originated from…
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SCOTUS issues opinions in three cases
The U.S. Supreme Court issued decisions in three cases on April 20 during its October 2019 term. 1. Ramos v. Louisiana originated from the Louisiana 4th Circuit Court of Appeal and was argued on October 7, 2019. It concerned the right to a unanimous verdict in a jury trial. The issue: “Whether the Fourteenth Amendment…
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SCOTUS schedules postponed arguments for May sitting
The U.S. Supreme Court has released its May argument calendar for the 2019-2020 term. The court will hear nine hours of oral argument in 13 cases between May 4 and May 13. The cases were originally scheduled for the court’s March and April sittings. Those sittings were postponed “in keeping with public health precautions recommended…