Paul Mollica's Federal Courts Blog

Split Ninth Circuit Panel Issues Caution on So-Called “Shotgun Pleadings”

In Gibson v. City of Portland, No. 24-1663 (9th Cir. Jan. 29, 2025), a split panel addresses when it may be appropriate for a district court to strike what it calls a “shotgun pleading,” i.e., one that fails to specify claims against each named defendant, but instead indiscriminately incorporates allegations from one count to the…

by pwmollica1961 January 30, 2026

Seventh Circuit Lets Pro Se Litigant Off with a Warning About AI Hallucinations in His Brief

In Jones v Kankakee Cnty. Sheriff’s Dep’t, No 25-1251 (7th Cir. Jan. 21, 2026), the Seventh Circuit issues a timely reminder that, however useful generative AI may be, it is still not an automatic brief-writing machine. “Jones filed a sprawling lawsuit in November 2023, invoking 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and alleging that several municipal and…

by pwmollica1961 January 22, 2026

District Court Abused Discretion by Failing to Assess $366,461.96 in Expert Witness Fees Against Indigent Named Plaintiffs in Civil Rights Class Action, Holds Eighth Circuit

In Karsjens v. Gandhi, No. 24-2876 (8th Cir. Jan. 7, 2026), the Eighth Circuit holds that the district court abused its discretion by entirely excusing a group of indigent class representatives from contributing to the witness fees for four court-appointed experts. A prevailing party in federal civil litigation is entitled to tax certain costs to…

by pwmollica1961 January 7, 2026

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