Appeals

California Appeals Court Declares Ammunition Background Check Law Unconstitutional in Landmark Ruling

by

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals court has ruled that a California law mandating background checks for ammunition purchases infringes upon the Second Amendment rights of individuals. The decision, issued by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, marks a significant legal development in the ongoing debate over gun control in the state. The law, which took effect in 2016, required any buyer of ammunition to undergo a background check similar to those required for firearms purchases. Supporters of the measure argued that it aimed to reduce gun violence by ensuring that only lawful individuals … Read more

Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals Chief Judge Mary Windom Announces Bid for Fourth Term, Emphasizing Justice for All

by

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Judge Mary Windom, the presiding judge of the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, announced her candidacy for re-election to a fourth and final term in office on Tuesday. A member of the Republican Party, Windom first assumed her position on the court in 2008 and has since been re-elected three times. Windom, who was appointed presiding judge by her peers in 2012, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve all Alabamians. “It has been my honor to serve in this important role,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of justice, especially for … Read more

Federal Appeals Court Clears Medtronic in Major Patent Case, Overturns Jury’s $106 Million Ruling

by

WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court has ruled in favor of Medtronic Plc in a lengthy patent lawsuit involving the company and Colibri Heart Valve LLC, reversing a jury’s decision that charged Medtronic with inducing patent infringement concerning artificial heart valves. The case centered on Colibri’s U.S. patent No. 8,900,294, which describes a technique for partially deploying and recapturing an artificial heart valve during implantation. This method allows surgeons to reposition the valve if its initial placement is not optimal, effectively providing a “do-over” during surgery. Colibri accused Medtronic of promoting this technique through its … Read more

Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center Appeals $1.125 Million Wrongful Termination Verdict, Seeks Trial Do-Over

by

BURLINGTON, Vt. — After a jury awarded Dr. Misty Blanchette Porter $1.125 million in a wrongful termination lawsuit against Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC), the medical center is seeking another opportunity to contest the ruling. The verdict followed a lengthy trial that took place over 14 days this spring. DHMC, along with its parent organization Dartmouth Health, has formally requested that U.S. District Judge Kevin J. Doyle either modify the judgment or grant a new trial. The jury’s decision came after deliberating for over 20 hours. Dr. Porter claimed she was unlawfully dismissed in 2017 … Read more