Two Concurring Eleventh Circuit Judges Question the Wisdom of a Federal Court of Appeals Issuing “Alternative Holdings” to Support a Decision

In United States v. Files, No. 21-12859 (11th Cir. Mar. 24, 2023) — an appeal of denial of relief to a prisoner under the First Step Act, Pub. L. No. 115-391, § 404, 132 Stat. 5194, 5222 (2018) — two of the panelists append a short concurrence questioning the wisdom of court of appeals’ decisionsContinue reading “Two Concurring Eleventh Circuit Judges Question the Wisdom of a Federal Court of Appeals Issuing “Alternative Holdings” to Support a Decision”

Eleventh Circuit Splits with Second and Holds That Contempt Order Without Sanctions Is Not An Appealable Final Order

Declaring a split with the Second Circuit, the Eleventh Circuit in In re Grand Jury Subpoena, FGJ-21-01-MIA, No. 21-13651 (11th Cir Jan. 31, 2023) holds that when a district court holds a party in civil contempt for failing to comply with a subpoena but enters no sanctions, the order is not an appealable final order.Continue reading “Eleventh Circuit Splits with Second and Holds That Contempt Order Without Sanctions Is Not An Appealable Final Order”

Surviving Family Members Who Do Not Represent a Decedent Party’s Estate Need Not Be Served with A Suggestion of Death Under Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(a), Eleventh Circuit Holds

In Silas v. Sheriff of Broward Cnty., Fla., No. 21-13946 (11th Cir. Dec. 14, 2022), the Eleventh Circuit holds that a defendant’s survivors who do not formally represent the decedent’s estate are not “nonparties” for purposes of Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(a)(3), and thus suggestion of death need not be served on them to triggerContinue reading “Surviving Family Members Who Do Not Represent a Decedent Party’s Estate Need Not Be Served with A Suggestion of Death Under Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(a), Eleventh Circuit Holds”

Eleventh Circuit Holds District Court Lacked Equitable Jurisdiction to Make the Government’s Use of Documents Seized from Former President Trump Subject to Special Master Review

In Trump v. United States, No. 22-13005 (11th Cir. Dec. 2, 2022), the Eleventh Circuit vacates and orders dismissal of a proceeding brought by the former president in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida to block the FBI’s use of documents seized from his personal residence, holding that the court lackedContinue reading “Eleventh Circuit Holds District Court Lacked Equitable Jurisdiction to Make the Government’s Use of Documents Seized from Former President Trump Subject to Special Master Review”

Eleventh Circuit Holds That District Court Erred in Excluding Evidence of Colombian Prosecution Documents in Torture Victim Protection Act Case

In Does 1 Through 976 v. Chiquita Brands Int’l, Inc., No. 19-13926 (11th Cir. Sept. 6, 2022), the Eleventh Circuit substantially reverses summary judgment in a dozen bellwether cases against Chiquita Brands International, Inc. and a host of other defendants brought under the Torture Victim Protection Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1350 note, and Colombian law. InContinue reading “Eleventh Circuit Holds That District Court Erred in Excluding Evidence of Colombian Prosecution Documents in Torture Victim Protection Act Case”

Eleventh Circuit Holds That There Can Be No “Prevailing Party” in a Federal Lawsuit for Purposes of Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(d)(1), Adding to Circuit Split

In Royal Palm Properties, LLC v. Pink Palm Properties, LLC, No. 21-10872 (11th Cir. July 7, 2022), the Eleventh Circuit holds that where a case ends in a “split judgment and both parties lost on their claims,”  there can be “no clear winner” and “thus, no prevailing party” for purposes of awarding costs under Fed.Continue reading “Eleventh Circuit Holds That There Can Be No “Prevailing Party” in a Federal Lawsuit for Purposes of Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(d)(1), Adding to Circuit Split”

Despite “Predicament” That Plaintiffs May Get No Appeal on the Merits, Eleventh Circuit Holds That There Is No Jurisdiction to Review a Partial Dismissal Where the Rest of the Claims Were Transferred to Another Circuit

In Jenkins v. Prime Ins. Co., No. 21-11104 (11th Cir. May 4, 2022), the Eleventh Circuit holds that where a district court dismisses part of case on the merits and transfers the rest out of circuit under 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a), the partial dismissal is not a final decision subject to appeal under 28 U.S.C.Continue reading “Despite “Predicament” That Plaintiffs May Get No Appeal on the Merits, Eleventh Circuit Holds That There Is No Jurisdiction to Review a Partial Dismissal Where the Rest of the Claims Were Transferred to Another Circuit”

Eleventh Circuit Panel Splits Three Ways on Article III Standing to Challenge Supposedly Inaccessible Hotel Website Under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act

In Laufer v. Arpan LLC, No.20-14846 (11th Cir. Mar. 29, 2022), the Eleventh Circuit issues a court opinion and three concurring opinions – 68 total pages – holding that a plaintiff who attempted to access a hotel website had Article III standing to bring a claim under the public accommodations provisions of the ADA, TitleContinue reading “Eleventh Circuit Panel Splits Three Ways on Article III Standing to Challenge Supposedly Inaccessible Hotel Website Under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act”

Split Eleventh Circuit Panel Holds That 28 U.S.C. § 1453(c)(1) Grants No Appellate Jurisdiction Over Remand to State Court Under CAFA If the District Court Grants It Sua Sponte

In Ruhlen, et al. v. Holiday Haven Homeowners, Inc., No. 21-90022 (11th Cir. Mar 10, 2022), owing to a quirk in the statutory language, a 2-1 panel holds that 28 U.S.C. § 1453(c)(1) – which ordinarily allows a U.S. Court of Appeals to hear an appeal “from an order of a district court granting orContinue reading “Split Eleventh Circuit Panel Holds That 28 U.S.C. § 1453(c)(1) Grants No Appellate Jurisdiction Over Remand to State Court Under CAFA If the District Court Grants It Sua Sponte”

Sixth Circuit and En Banc Eleventh Circuit Each Forgive the Government’s Abandonment of Fourth Amendment Arguments, Finding Them Forfeited Rather Than Waived

Two courts issue decisions the same day considering Fourth Amendment arguments that the government forfeited, holding that federal courts of appeals have the power and can properly exercise their discretion to reach such issues. United States v. Campbell, No. 16-10128 (11th Cir. Feb. 16, 2022): Defendant Campbell was indicted for possessing a firearm as aContinue reading “Sixth Circuit and En Banc Eleventh Circuit Each Forgive the Government’s Abandonment of Fourth Amendment Arguments, Finding Them Forfeited Rather Than Waived”