Circuit

Ryan P. Phillips Announces Bid for Circuit Judge in Arkansas, Aiming to Uphold Judicial Legacy

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Magnolia, Arkansas — Judge Ryan P. Phillips has declared his candidacy for the position of Circuit Judge for the 5th Division of the 13th Judicial District of Arkansas. His announcement follows his recent appointment by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders as Circuit Court Judge for Division 3, set to take effect on January 1, 2024, succeeding the retiring Judge Edwin Keaton. Before his current role, Phillips served as the District Court Judge for the 39th Judicial District. He boasts a comprehensive legal background, having been a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the 13th Judicial District from 2007 … Read more

Federal Circuit Faces Crucial Decision on Innovative Jury Verdict Format in High-Stakes Patent Disputes

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In Marshall, Texas, the Federal Circuit is set to hear three appeals in a series of patent infringement lawsuits that challenge a unique verdict format used by a federal judge. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap has faced scrutiny for allowing juries to answer a simple yes-or-no question regarding whether defendants copied patents, rather than requiring detailed findings on each patent involved. This approach has resulted in significant damage awards, including a combined total of $530 million for the defendants. The appeals involve major companies: Apple Inc., PNC Bank, and Ecobee Technologies. Each defendant contends that the … Read more

Eleventh Circuit Judge Questions New Arguments in Georgia Conservation Easement Tax Deduction Appeal

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A judge in Atlanta, Georgia, recently expressed skepticism regarding a partnership’s renewed appeal for a tax deduction tied to a conservation easement donation. The Eleventh Circuit’s ruling came as the partnership sought to bolster its claims, presenting new arguments that raised questions about the integrity of their previous assertions. During the proceedings, the judge indicated that the partnership’s attempt to introduce fresh arguments could complicate its case. The ongoing debate revolves around the eligibility for tax deductions related to land conservation efforts, a subject that has seen its share of scrutiny in recent years. Tax … Read more

Ninth Circuit Affirms Jury Ruling in Police Restraint Case, Upholding Accountability Despite Lack of Excessive Force Claims

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Los Angeles, California — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently upheld a jury’s decision in a case involving the death of a man during a police restraint incident, ruling that negligence could be established even in the absence of excessive force claims. The case revolved around the events of a 2016 arrest when officers used physical means to subdue the individual, who subsequently died. Evidence presented during the trial suggested that the officers had acted within the standards for use of force but still failed to provide necessary medical assistance, which … Read more