Tenth Circuit Sets Low Bar for Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(2)(C) Disclosures for Non-Retained Experts in Truck Collision Case

In Vincent v. Nelson, No.20-8030 (10th Cir. Oct. 27, 2022), in an issue of first impression, the Tenth Circuit holds that a pre-trial disclosure under Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(2)(C) for non-retained experts may be fairly general in form to support their testimony at trial, in contrast to the more rigorous demands for retained expertsContinue reading “Tenth Circuit Sets Low Bar for Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(2)(C) Disclosures for Non-Retained Experts in Truck Collision Case”

No Interlocutory Appeal of Decision Denying Summary Judgment on Title VII “Ministerial Exception” Defense, Split Tenth Circuit Panel Holds

In Tucker v. Faith Bible Chapel Int’l., No. 20-1230 (10th Cir. June 7, 2022), a 2-1 panel of the Tenth Circuit holds that there is no appellate jurisdiction under the collateral-order doctrine to review the denial of summary judgment on the “ministerial exception” recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court. Two Supreme Court decisions from theContinue reading “No Interlocutory Appeal of Decision Denying Summary Judgment on Title VII “Ministerial Exception” Defense, Split Tenth Circuit Panel Holds”

Tenth Circuit Affirms Preliminary Injunction Under Lanham Act, but “Went Too Far” With Mandatory Provision Requiring Removal of Two Sculptures from School Campus

In The Trial Lawyers College v. Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College, No. 20-8038 (10th Cir. Jan. 27, 2022), the Tenth Circuit substantially affirms a district court’s preliminary injunction in a dispute between two rival factions at a trial-lawyer school, though it holds the district court abused its discretion by  “ordering removal of sculptures bearing theContinue reading “Tenth Circuit Affirms Preliminary Injunction Under Lanham Act, but “Went Too Far” With Mandatory Provision Requiring Removal of Two Sculptures from School Campus”

Split Tenth Circuit Holds That FISC’s Pre-Clearance Rulings Under Section 702 Program Are Not “Advisory Opinions” in Violation of Article III

As part of a 170-page decision (with a 48-page dissent) affirming a criminal conviction for conspiring and providing material support to a State Department-designated foreign terrorist organization, United States v. Muhtorov,  No. 18-1366 (10th Cir. Dec. 8, 2021), the panel divides over whether annual preapproval of surveillance procedures by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC)Continue reading “Split Tenth Circuit Holds That FISC’s Pre-Clearance Rulings Under Section 702 Program Are Not “Advisory Opinions” in Violation of Article III”

Tenth Circuit Panel Splits Over Analysis of Finality of Judgment When Unserved Party Remained in the Case

In Adams v. C3 Pipeline Constr., No. 20-2055 (10th Cir. Nov. 2, 2021), the panel holds that the appeal was timely filed “more than 10 months after the summary judgment order” being appealed “but only three weeks after” final judgment was entered against a defaulting party. Still, the judges disagree on the correct analysis ofContinue reading “Tenth Circuit Panel Splits Over Analysis of Finality of Judgment When Unserved Party Remained in the Case”

Tenth Circuit Holds That a Single Phone Call That the Debtor Didn’t Even Answer Created Standing Under the FDCPA, Breaking with the Seventh Circuit

In a blog entry dated December 16, 2020, I summarized five decisions by the Seventh Circuit that dramatically crimped Article III standing in Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) cases. In yesterday’s decision, Lupia v. Medicredit, No. 20-1294 (10th Cir. Aug. 17, 2021), the Tenth Circuit expressly rejects the Seventh Circuit’s approach and holds thatContinue reading “Tenth Circuit Holds That a Single Phone Call That the Debtor Didn’t Even Answer Created Standing Under the FDCPA, Breaking with the Seventh Circuit”

Tenth Circuit Declines Appellate Jurisdiction to Review District Court’s Findings in Investigation of a U.S. Attorney’s Office

In United States v. Carter, No. 20-3042 (10th Cir. May 4, 2021), the Tenth Circuit holds that it lacks jurisdiction to review a district court’s investigation of recordings of attorney-client communications at a federal detention center, obtained by the United States Attorney’s Office in Kansas (USAO). “After learning that the USAO had these recordings, theContinue reading “Tenth Circuit Declines Appellate Jurisdiction to Review District Court’s Findings in Investigation of a U.S. Attorney’s Office”

Tenth Circuit Finds No “Practical Finality” Exception to Administrative Remand Rule in IDEA Case

In C.W. v. Denver Cnty. Sch. Dict., No. 19-1407 (10th Cir. Apr. 20, 2021), the panel dismisses an Individuals with Disabilities Education Act appeal under the “administrative remand” rule and remands with directions to stay the action pending the administrative hearing. “Through his parents, C.W. sought and received a due process hearing with a stateContinue reading “Tenth Circuit Finds No “Practical Finality” Exception to Administrative Remand Rule in IDEA Case”

Class Action Lawyer Persuades Tenth Circuit to Vacate Conditions on Rule 41(a)(2) Dismissal That Limited Him from Refiling Action

In Frank v. Crawley Petroleum Corp., No. 20-6018 (10th Cir. Mar. 29, 2021), the Tenth Circuit holds that a plaintiff’s class-action lawyer has standing to challenge restrictions on his practice that a district court imposed in a Rule 41(a)(2) voluntary dismissal. The class action, removed to federal court under the Class Action Fairness Act, concernedContinue reading “Class Action Lawyer Persuades Tenth Circuit to Vacate Conditions on Rule 41(a)(2) Dismissal That Limited Him from Refiling Action”

Memes Admissible as Intrinsic Evidence of Prostitution Charge Under Fed. R. Evid. 404(b)(2), Holds Tenth Circuit

In United States v. Alfred, No. 19-1243 (10th Cir. Dec. 14, 2020), the Tenth Circuit finds no error in admission of memes from the defendant’s social media page as “intrinsic evidence” of his facilitation and solicitation of prostitution under Fed. R. Evid. 404(b)(2) and 403. The defendant allegedly used the social-media site Tagged to operateContinue reading “Memes Admissible as Intrinsic Evidence of Prostitution Charge Under Fed. R. Evid. 404(b)(2), Holds Tenth Circuit”