Case Analyses

Table of Contents

Click here to view all 2010 postings (PDF)

Table of Contents

  • CA8: Presumption Against Preemption Applied to State Law Claim Against Generic Drug Manufacturer
  • D.N.J.: Republican National Committee Still Bound by Consent Decree Prohibiting Voter Suppression
  • C.A.2: Second Circuit Holds that Civil Rights Settlement Did Not Foreclose Fee Award
  • D.Ariz: Motion to Dismiss Medicare Collection Procedures Lawsuit Denied
  • N.D.Ga.: Summary Judgment Granted to Challenge of Reduction in EPSDT Nursing Services
  • CA9: State Underpayment to Foster Care Group Homes in Violation of the Child Welfare Act
  • W.D.Wis.: School District not Liable for Damages for Unconstitutional Desegregation Policy
  • CA9: Public Medical Clinics Have Third Party Beneficiary Claim Against Drug Manufacturers
  • CA9: No Standing for Challenge to Constitutionality of the PATRIOT Act
  • CA9: Qualified Immunity Denied for Taser Use by Police Officer
  • CA9: Racially Discriminatory Criminal Justice System Makes Felon Disenfranchisement Illegal
  • CA7: Mixed-Motive ADA Decision Reversed, Pursuant to Gross
  • C.A.D.C.: Conservative Appellate Panel Disregards Supremacy Clause in Habeas Corpus Ruling
  • E.D.Mich: Court Issues Stay on Challenge to Post-Eligibility Medicaid Calculations
  • E.D.Cal: Challenge to Unconstitutionality of State Dependency Court System Dismissed
  • CA1: Class Action Settlement for Transitioning into Community Upheld
  • CA9: Federal Education Law Preempts State Law Consumer Protection Claims
  • CA10: No Clearly Established Right to Arrive at Bush Event with “No More Blood for Oil” Bumper Sticker
  • S.D.Ind.: Title IV-E Confers Enforceable Rights Preventing Foster Care Rate Cuts
  • N.D.Cal.: Court Again Blocks State’s Attempt to Cut Adult Day Health Care for the Elderly and Disabled
  • CA10: Affirms Preemption of State Law Penalizing Businesses for Hiring Undocumented Workers
  • CA9: Appellate Court Continues to Enjoin State Budget Cuts that Violate Federal Medicaid Law
  • C.A.2: Dismisses Constitutional Challenge to Felon Disenfranchisement Law
  • C.A.9: Reverses Dismissal of Title IX Sex Discrimination Suit Against UC Davis
  • CA4: Rejects Retroactivity of State Law in Upholding Damages Against Insurers Who Refused to Pay Full Cost of Cancer Treatments
  • CA2: Invalidates SSA’s Practice of Revoking Benefits Based on Alleged Probation or Parole Violations
  • CA7: Addresses “Clear Evidence” Needed to Invoke Preemptive Force of FDA-Approved Drug Warnings
  • U.S.: Federal Rules of Procedure Allowing Class Certification Preempt State Law
  • C.A.5: Reinstates Jury Verdict for Disabled Flight Attendant
  • CA9: Presumption Against Preemption Applied to State Law Prohibiting Slaughter of Immobile Animals
  • N.D.Tex.: State Law Conditioning Residency On Local Determination of Immigration Status Preempted
  • U.S.: Supreme Court Reduces Chances for Enhanced Fees Awards for Public Interest Attorneys
  • CA7: En Banc Court Upholds Right of Protection & Advocacy System to Access Records
  • CA3: ADA Can Require Accommodation of Disabled Employee’s Work Commute Difficulties
  • Cal.App.: Presumption Against Preemption Applied on Behalf of State Elder Abuse and Tort Claims
  • U.S.: Supreme Court Holds Public Health Service Officials Immune to Bivens Actions
  • S.D.Ohio: District Court Declares Last Remnant of Expired School Integration Decree Unconstitutional
  • Minn. S.Ct.: Governor’s Attempt to Defund Food Assistance Illegal
  • U.S.: Necessary and Proper Clause Allows Post-Sentence Civil Confinement of Federal Prisoners
  • CA9: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Does Not Prevent 10% Reduction in School Year
  • U.S.: Rejects Conflation of Title VII Disparate Impact and Treatment Claims
  • CA9: Affirms Denial of California’s Motion to Terminate Receivership over Prison System
  • CA5: Creates Split in Circuits as to Whether Gross Applies to “All Suits Under Federal Law”
  • CA5: Reverses District Court’s Holding that Texas is Responsible for Secondary LEP Underperformance
  • U.S.: ERISA Does Not Generally Require Fee Claimant to be “Prevailing Party”
  • CA7: Seventh Circuit Reverses Denial of Recruitment of Counsel
  • U.S.: Challenge to Alleged Unconscionable Arbitration Agreement Not Specific Enough for Judicial Review
  • CA9: Arizona Disenfranchisement and Reenfranchisement Laws Upheld by Ret. Justice O’Connor
  • CA5: Majority of Unrecused Decide En Banc Court Lacks Quorum; Right to Appeal Denied
  • CA9: Attorneys’ Fees Are Warranted for On-Going Settlement Agreement Monitoring
  • U.S.: EAJA Attorneys’ Fees Subject to Offset for Client’s Pre-Existing Debt to Government
  • D.Mass: In Two Separate Opinions, District Court Holds Defense of Marriage Act Unconstitutional
  • U.S.: Split Court Invalidates Hundreds of National Labor Relations Board Cases Due to Board Vacancy
  • U.S.: Court Affirms That Public Record Disclosure Law Applies to Referendum Petitions
  • C.A.D.C.: Attorneys’ Fees Amendment to Freedom of Information Act Does Not Apply Retroactively
  • C.A.9: State Court Lawsuits Enjoined in Contracting Dispute Between Union and NLRB
  • U.S.: Antidiscrimination Policy Prohibits Sexual Orientation Discrimination by Religious Student Group
  • D.Ariz.: Preliminary Injunction Halts Controversial Provisions in Arizona Immigration Law
  • C.A.2: Rejects Connecticut’s Challenge Involving the Unfunded Mandate Provision of NCLBA as Not Ripe
  • E.D.Va.: Rejects Federal Government’s Motion to Dismiss State Challenge to Health Care Reform Law
  • N.D.Cal.: State Ban on Same-Sex Marriage Violates Federal Due Process and Equal Protection
  • C.A.7: Categorical Bans on Firearm Possession Constitutional Under the Second Amendment
  • D.D.C.: Sovereign Immunity Bars Injunction Against Disparate Impact of Louisiana Reconstruction Grants
  • C.A.1: Next Friends can Represent Foster Children in Systemic Challenge to Foster Care Program
  • C.A.4: Federal Law Preempts New Local Ordinance Passed to Address Public Safety Concerns
  • C.A.4: Rejects Facial Challenge to Affirmative Action Program for State Funded Construction Projects
  • C.A.9: Holds that Preliminary Injunction on the Basis of “Serious Questions Going to Merits” Still Viable
  • C.A.7: In Split Opinion, Holds Iqbal Does Not Require Determination of Claim Believability or Likelihood
  • C.A.5: No Jurisdiction for Inmate Federal Tort Suit Over Hurricane Response; Bivens Claims Time-Barred
  • C.A.11: No freestanding right of action in ADA reg
  • C.A.6: No Change in Law to Warrant Vacating Injunctive Relief on Behalf of Developmentally Delayed
  • C.A.2: Congressional Appropriations Laws Barring Funds to ACORN Not Unconstitutional
  • C.A.9: State Law Claims for Medicare Benefits Dismissed as Preempted and For Want of Jurisdiction
  • C.A.6: Potential State Reimbursement Does Not Confer Sovereign Immunity on County Department
  • C.A.9: Bureau of Land Management Violated Environmental Protections with Proposed Regulations
  • C.A.9: Statutory Right to Foster Child Care Payments Enforceable under 42 U.S.C. § 1983
  • N.D.Fla.: Motion to Dismiss Commerce and Spending Clause Challenges Denied in Second State Lawsuit Against Health Care Reform
  • C.A.3: Local Laws Regulating Immigration Through Housing and Business Ordinances Preempted
  • C.A.5: Collateral Order Appeal of Denial of Immunity and Preemption in Contractor Death Rejected
  • C.A.9: Federal Regulation Impermissibly Expanded Definition of “Highly Qualified” Teachers Under NCLB
  • C.A.5: Creates Circuit Split Holding Inaccessible Sidewalks Cannot be Privately Challenged Under ADA
  • C.A.9: No Private Right of Action to Enforce Consumer Protection Under the ICA
  • E.D.Va: Denies Dismissal of Case Seeking Voter Registration Application Records
  • Cal S.Ct.: Lower Tuition for Undocumented Aliens Not Preempted
  • CA9: Dissent re Interpretation of Scope of Sovereign Immunity
  • S.Ct.: County Liable for Prospective Relief Under § 1983 Only for Own Policies
  • C.A.5: Texas Coal Plant Required to Abide by Reinstated Applicability of Clean Air Act Emission Standards
  • NY App: Medicaid Class Action Not Moot and Not Require Exhaustion
  • 6th Cir: Sovereign Immunity But No Qualified Immunity
  • 1st Cir: Plausibility is not Likelihood of Success
  • D.N.J. Broadly Applies ACA Definition of Medical Assistance
  • 6th Cir: Vacate Part But Not All of Medicaid Consent Decree
  • 9th Cir: Child Welfare Act enforceable under section 1983
  • E.D.Va: Minimum Coverage Provision of ACA Unconstitutional

Click here to view all all 2009 postings (PDF)

Table of Contents

  • N.Y.: Workers can enforce Housing Act wage contract
  • Ninth Circuit Upholds San Francisco Health Care Plan
  • SCOTUS takes on prelim. injunction standard in Navy case
  • 3d. Cir. tightens class certification analysis
  • 3d Cir. defines receipt of federal funding under Rehab Act
  • 9th Cir. limits standing for Tenth Amendment claims
  • D.S.C.: Veteran may enforce no-billing rights under TRICARE
  • 4th Cir.: Federal commitment law violates Commerce Clause
  • 10th Cir.: Younger abstention inapplicable to Medicaid claim
  • SCOTUS: Title IX doesn’t preclude § 1983
  • SCOTUS overhauls qualified immunity procedure
  • N.D.Ill.: No class certification in sex bias case
  • D.D.C.: Nurses have standing under Medicare, but can’t force more staffing
  • 5th Cir.: No § 1983 rights re: public housing demolitions
  • S.D.Ohio: Rooker-Feldman doctrine misinterpreted to bar Medicaid claim
  • 2d Cir.: Contractual ban on class actions unenforceable
  • 9th Cir. limits preemption of airline injury suits
  • 5th Cir.: RLUIPA does not provide damages
  • 9th Cir.: ADEA precludes § 1983/14th Am. claims
  • 10th Cir. Occupational Heath & Safety Act does not preempt Oklahoma gun law
  • 3rd Cir.: No Section 1981 suit against state actors
  • W.D.Wis.: IDEA tuition award does conflict with Spending Clause
  • Supreme Court narrows standing in 5-4 environmental ruling
  • S.Ct. holds 6-3 tort suits based on drug labels not preempted by FDA approval
  • 7th Cir.: Change of ADA claim from HIV to AIDS violates pleading standard
  • 10th Cir. upholds fees in naturalization case
  • 9th Cir.: Appeals court can’t second-guess fees for mooted claims
  • Alaska S.Ct.: No estoppel defense from food stamp recoupment
  • S.Ct.: Hawaii case takes on “rights-creating verbs”
  • M.D.Pa.: § 1983 rights in Medicaid anti-lien/recoupment provisions; qualified immunity
  • S.Ct.: Union workers can be forced to arbitrate ADEA claims
  • Iowa/Mass.: Mixed results on FMLA immunity
  • 9th Cir.: Medi-Cal cuts create irreparable injury for hospitals
  • En banc 1st Cir. rejects fees in naturalization case
  • SCOTUS addresses stay standard in immigration case
  • SCOTUS: Harmful error can’t be presumed veterans’ cases
  • In “indecency” case, SCOTUS eases APA test for policy reversals
  • En banc 9th Cir. upholds abrogation of immunity under Govt. Employee Rights Act
  • 4th Cir.: EAJA fees go to claimants, not lawyers
  • SCOTUS: Pensions based on ’70s pregnancy discrimination are OK
  • SCOTUS tightens pleading standards
  • D.Haw.: Medicaid managed care provisions enforceable under § 1983
  • SCOTUS: States can’t bar jurisdiction over § 1983 claims in state court
  • 4th Cir.: State protection & advocacy agency cannot sue other state officials in federal court
  • 5th Cir.: No enforceable rights in Uniform Relocation Act provisions
  • SCOTUS: Due process required recusal in “judge for sale” case
  • NSCLC Statement on Supreme Court’s Decision in Gross v. FBL Financial Services, Inc.
  • Supreme Court Rejects Mixed Motive in Age Discrimination Case
  • S.Ct Upholds Private School Reimbursement under IDEA
  • S.Ct Rejects Challenge to Constitutionality of Voting Rights Act
  • CA4: Abandons prior standard in wake of Winter
  • CA9: Twombly/Iqbal applied to free speech pleading
  • CA8: Attorney fees denied following settlement
  • CA3: Absent formal procedure, conflict preemption denied
  • CA11: Allegations of foreign violence fail Twombly/Iqbal
  • CA3: Attorneys’ Fees awarded despite Nominal Damages Award
  • D.D.C.: Extends Gross beyond ADEA
  • CA7: The demise of notice pleading may be exaggerated
  • CA9: ADA Regulation Not Privately Enforceable
  • CA3: Standards of Pleading are not Standards of Proof
  • S.D.Ohio: Attorney’s Fees Awarded for Mandating Compliance with Law
  • CA3: Iqbal leads to rejection of Legal Conclusion in Complaint in First Amendment Case
  • D.Minn: New Law Does not Lower Qualified Immunity Standards
  • In the Wake of Gross
  • N.D.Ohio: Anti-Discrimination Consent Decree “No Longer a Necessity”
  • CA7: Gross Applies to “All Suits Under Federal Law”
  • N.D.Cal.: District Court Halts Reduction in Crucial Services for Elderly and Disabled
  • N.D.Cal.: Cuts to Optional Medicaid Services Allowed to Proceed
  • E.D.N.Y.: Lower Court Claims Second Circuit has not Adopted a Heightened Test for Injunctions
  • CA9: Ashcroft’s Unconstitutional Use of Federal Material Witness Statute is Plausible
  • CA10: No Private Right of Action for Trusts’ Exemption from Medicaid Calculation
  • CA3: Concurrence Argues that Gross May Apply to Race Discrimination Under § 1981
  • W.D.Wash.: Injunction Grants Anonymity to Signers of Petition Opposing Civil Rights Law
  • M.D.Tenn.: State’s Attempt to Vacate EPSDT Consent Decree Denied
  • C.D.Cal.: Police Raids on African-American Barbershops were Plausibly Unconstitutional
  • CA8: Qualified Immunity Denied for Prison Guard who Shackled Woman During Childbirth
  • N.D.Fla.: State Agency Cannot Prevent Federal Appeal of Medicaid Benefits Hearing Denial
  • CA9: Local Anti-Eviction Law for Subsidized Housing not Preempted by HUD Regulations
  • CA6: En Banc Rehearing Evenly Splits on Whether NCLB is Binding Absent Sufficient Federal Funds
  • CAD.C.: Private Contractor Liability Under State Law Preempted Wherever There are “Combat Activities”
  • CA9: Injunction Preventing Public Disclosure of Anti-Civil Rights Referendum Petitions Reversed
  • N.D.Cal.: District Court Enjoins Cut of Medicaid Services to Disabled and Elderly
  • N.D.Cal.: SSA Must Provide Blind and Visually-Impaired Beneficiaries Equal Communications Access
  • N.D.Iowa: Comprehensive Remedial Scheme in Statute Does Not Preclude § 1983 as Remedy
  • W.D.Tenn.: Over Objections of U.S., Court Modifies Remedial Order Because of Economic Downturn
  • CA5: Standing Granted to Sue Companies that Contribute to Global Warming
  • D.Puerto Rico: Older American Act Unenforceable Under § 1983
  • N.D.Ill.: District Court Terminates Chicago Public School System Desegregation Decree
  • S.D.Fla.: District Court Holds Mixed-Income Housing Development not Racially Discriminatory
  • CA9: Entering Circuit Split, Ninth Circuit Holds Rehabilitation Act Applies to Independent Contractors
  • CA5: Factors Offered in Immigration Profiling Stop Not Considered Plausible for Reasonable Suspicion

Click here to view all 2008 postings (PDF)

Table of Contents

  • E.D.Ky.: State MR facility operator not a state actor
  • 6th Cir.: States off hook for NCLB costs
  • Miss.App.: Nursing home can force arbitration
  • W.D.Mo.: Qualified immunity in Medicaid lien suit
  • S.Ct. narrows securities fraud right of action
  • 9th Cir.: Rehab Act education regs enforceable
  • 9th Cir. stays SF health plan preemption
  • 3d Cir: Interstate Compact not enforceable
  • Mo.App.: Medicaid recovery from spouse’s estate improper
  • N.D.Okla.: Limit on nursing home arbitration preempted
  • D.Me.: Medicaid not a “taking”
  • E.D.Mo.: Anti-immigrant law not preempted
  • D.Ariz.: Anti-immigrant law not preempted
  • 9th Cir.: No sovereign immunity for private entities
  • Cal.S.Ct.: Food label suits not preempted
  • S.D.Miss: No immunity for ADA prison suit
  • 7th Cir.: Medicaid info provisions not enforceable
  • Supreme Court decides three preemption cases
  • 9th Cir.: Ariz. must comply with English ed. judgment
  • S.Ct.: 4-4 affirmance in drug preemption case
  • E.D.N.Y.: Housing, inspection standards not enforceable
  • D.D.C.: Providers can’t force HHS to enforce Medicaid
  • N.D.Cal.: Ruling on ADA immunity, regulations, class cert.
  • E.D.N.Y.: Gun law too “vague, amorphous” for § 1983
  • N.C.Cal.: No standing, ripeness in Spending Clause/abortion case
  • DC Ct. App. rejects 3d party beneficiary claim
  • 2d Cir.: NY Passenger Bill of Rights preempted
  • S.Ct. takes restrictive view of arbitration review
  • N.D.Ga.: Waiver by removal in ADA Title I case
  • E.D.Va.: Immunity under Rehabilitation Act rejected (again)
  • D.D.C.: Clean Water regulation violates APA
  • 11th Cir.: Voter groups have standing, but Fla. rule not preempted
  • Ill. S. Ct. rejects preemption of Medicaid spousal recovery
  • 3d Cir.: Some drug warning claims preempted
  • 2d Cir. clarifies pro bono fees, again
  • Good magistrate decision on ADA/Olmstead, Medicaid/1983
  • SCOTUS Upholds Voter ID Law
  • 2d Cir.: Tort preemption not barred by Commerce Clause
  • Tex. S. Ct.: Product suit preempted despite saving clause
  • W.D.N.Y.: Bad decision on ADA, Rehabiliation Act immunity
  • 9th Cir.: Ledbetter applied to twist Fair Housing time limit
  • S. Ct.: § 1981, ADEA bar retaliation
  • S.Ct.: Paralegal fees against US are at market rate
  • D.D.C.: VRA reauthorization upheld
  • N.D.Tex.: Anti-immigrant housing law preempted, vague
  • N.D.Cal.: Housing Act notice provision enforceable under § 1983
  • Two courts strike sex offender laws under Commerce Clause
  • 8th Cir. applies preemption amendment to save railroad suits
  • D.Haw. rejects § 1983 for Medicaid HMO suit, misses Supremacy Clause
  • 9th Cir. Upholds Medicaid Claims under Supremacy Clause
  • Four important attorneys fees decisions
  • M.D.Tenn.: Private Medicaid mgmt. is state actor, not immune
  • 5th Cir.: FMLA immunity remains, but reinstatement OK
  • M.D.La.: Mixed Medicaid §1983, Supremacy Clause decision
  • D.C. Cir.: No standing to challenge chaplaincy preference
  • D.D.C.: Miers/Bolten case: Declaratory Judgment Act, implied constitutional rights of action
  • No § 1983 rights to challenge Medicaid exclusion
  • D.Me.: Mixed Medicaid/1983/preemption decision
  • S.D.N.Y.: Aid groups have assocational standing in speech case
  • C.D.Cal.: Medi-Cal cuts enjoined under Equal Access
  • E.D.Cal.: No immunity for prison library ADA claim
  • Two courts find no waiver for RLUIPA damages
  • W.D.Mich.: Medicare “swing-bed” reg does not preempt
  • E.D.Pa.: Medicaid/§ 1983 and ADA/504 integration
  • 11th Cir.: Commerce Clause permits standalone tort preemption
  • 3rd Cir.: No preemption by agency inaction in tuna case
  • 11th Cir.: No removal in Medicare Advantage suit
  • 3d Cir.: Stated waived immunity from ADEA suit but not damages
  • E.D.Pa.: No § 1983 right under Privacy Act
  • W.D.Mich.: No damages under RLUIPA; limited reading of PLRA
  • 6th Cir.: Ohio mortgage law preempted
  • N.C.App: No sovereign immunity for 3PB contract claims
  • D.Haw.: Negative Medicaid § 1983, ripeness case
  • Wash.S.Ct.: Consumer-friendly ruling on preemption, arbitration
  • 9th Cir. opinion in Medi-Cal/Supremacy Clause case
  • 9th Cir. MMA preempts misrepresentation claims against Part D plan
  • 9th Cir.: Arizona worker verification law not preempted
  • N.D.Ohio: Section 8 termination procedures create § 1983 rights
  • 9th Cir.: Preemption/§ 1983 ruling involving Medicaid provider
  • N.D.N.Y.: Sex offender law violates Commerce Clause
  • 7th Cir.: No class rescission suits under Truth in Lending Act
  • D.Conn.: Sovereign immunity bars RLUIPA damages
  • D.Utah.: Another bad ADA immunity decision
  • N.D.N.Y.: Another Commerce Clause ruling against SORNA
  • M.D.Ala.: Partial class cert. in Medicaid HCBS suit under § 1983
  • N.M.: Involuntary treatment ordinance preempted by state law
  • N.M.: Involuntary treatment ordinance preempted by state law
  • E.D.Pa.: No § 1983 rights under Title X
  • 11th Cir.: No en banc on attorney fees; now to SCOTUS?
  • 11th Cir.: No § 1983 rights in Weatherization Act
  • 3d Cir.: A favorable Medicaid annuity decision under § 1983
  • S.D.N.Y.: NYC mileage rule preempted
  • Cal.Ct.App.: Medicaid Act can be enforced in state court
  • S.D.N.Y.: Contract, consumer claims against bank not preempted
  • Cal.S.Ct.: No settlement effort required for atty. fees
  • D.N.J.: Prisoner ADA suit goes forward under U.S. v. Georgia
  • W.D.Pa: Title IX, Spending Clause permit emotional damages
  • 3d Cir.: No § 1983 rights in No Child Left Behind
  • 6th Cir.: Voting rights suit survives mootness, immunity claims
  • 2d Cir.: Rehab Act claims barred by sovereign immunity
  • S.D.Fla.: Fourth court holds registration law violates Commerce Clause
  • SCOTUS: “Good” news on tobacco preemption
  • 1st Cir.: Medicaid wraparound payments enforceable
  • S.D.Ind.: Failed class certification attempt tolls time limit for new class action

Click here to view all 2007 postings (PDF)

Table of Contents

  • SCt Patent Case re Art. III jurisdiction
  • Tex. App. Court rejects sov. immunity claim by Medicaid agency
  • S.Ct. Cert in 2 cases
  • Flo. Dt. Ct. section 1983 decision
  • 4th Cir. defers to fed govt in Medicaid case
  • Fed.Cir. 11th Am. Case
  • S.Ct. Prisoner Court Access Case
  • Dt. Ct. Abstains from hearing Foster Care case
  • Fourth Circuit Holds that ERISA Preempts Maryland’s health care law
  • 3d Cir. Upholds ADA in Public Education
  • 11th Cir. Commerce Clause case re Endangered Species
  • 2d Cir. Consent Decree Interpretation Case
  • Blue Cross Immunity Claim Rejected by 5th Cir.
  • 10th Cir. 11th Am. Abortion Free Speech case
  • D.Minn. rejects 1983 action in HUD Act case
  • 11th Cir. upholds 1983 enforcement in Driver Privacy case
  • New Orleans Fair Housing Dt. Ct. decision
  • 1st Cir. Preemption Case re Duals in Puerto Rico
  • 3rd Party claim against nursing home upheld
  • Younger Abstention in Medicaid 1983 case
  • IDEA Spending Clause case
  • Cal. state ct enforces Medicaid 30(A) via mandamus
  • Ninth Circuit EPSDT Decision
  • 5th Cir. finds 11th Am immunity in Rehab Act
  • Environmental Win at S.Ct.
  • EDNY finds no 1983 rights in LIHEAA
  • Louisiana state court Medicaid preemption case
  • Supreme Court holds state banking laws preempted
  • Washington S.Ct. Medicaid comparability case
  • Illinois Dt. Ct. Settlement enforcement case
  • 7th Cir. Rejects Taxpayer Standing
  • 8th Cir. rejects jurisdiction in child support/credit protection case
  • 11th Cir. holds no sovereign immunity in bankruptcy case
  • S.Ct. Holds Parents Can Sue Pro Se Under IDEA
  • 9th Cir. rules against Medicaid expansion populations
  • Third Circuit 1983/IDEA/504 decision
  • Supreme Court holds pay discrimination claim time barred
  • S.Ct. denies fees for preliminary injunction
  • Dt. court holds claim for Medicaid refund barred by 11th Am.
  • S.Ct. rejects federal removal by private co.
  • S.Ct. defers to agency re no overtime pay
  • S.Ct. permits co. to sue fed govt to recover clean up costs
  • S.Ct. defers to fed. govt re ERISA
  • S.Ct. expands deference to fed. agency in securities context
  • S.Ct. upholds abrogation of foreign sovereign immunity
  • S.Ct. holds no equitable exceptions to statutory filing deadline
  • S.Ct. rejects taxpayer standing to challenge exec. branch
  • Standing Decision in School Integration Case
  • NDNY preemption standing case
  • Va.S.Ct. holds prisoner 3d pty bene of medical contract
  • 9th Cir. holds Med. free choice provisions enforceable under section 1983
  • 7th Cir. opinion re class, 1983, Medicaid waiver
  • EDNY holds NY county health law preempted by ERISA
  • Positive 9th Cir. decision on § 1983
  • E.D.Pa: Medicaid enforceable re special needs trust
  • 6th Cir.: IV-D not enforceable under 1983
  • M.D. Pa. strikes down city law re aliens
  • S.D. Ohio upholds state vocational rehabilitation limits
  • W.D.Ala: Medicare state law claims preempted
  • 3d Cir. holds fraud law preempted
  • 5th Cir. invalidates federal regs re tribal gaming
  • 8th Cir. dismisses mental disability Voting Rights case
  • Fla. magistrate: no MMA preemption
  • 10th Cir. standing/preemption case
  • D.Or. rejects elder abuse 1983 claim
  • D.Mass. upholds VRA for disparate impact
  • D. Utah rejects preemption in Zyprexa case
  • E.D.Cal.: Green orgs may intervene in park suit
  • Commerce Clause: E.D.N.C. strikes commitment law
  • Two dist. ct. decisions on FHA, ADA, sovereign immunity
  • 4th Cir.: Positive Mediciaid/1983 ruling
  • S.D.Fla.: Tort preemption violates Commerce Clause
  • D.Del.: Medicaid policy violates right to travel
  • 9th Cir.: No 1983 parent suit under IDEA
  • M.D.Ala.: Subclasses req’d for Medicaid suit
  • Va. D.Ct.: no Title II damages for prisoner
  • Ga. S.Ct.: Physicians may sue on patients’ behalf
  • Cal.App.: Class approved for community care suit
  • Supreme Court to tackle key work bias cases
  • D.Haw.: Advocacy org. may enforce Dev. Disabilities Act
  • No removal in Medicare suit; preemption left open
  • 11th Cir.: Damages under RLUIPA, but no individual suit
  • 5th Cir.: Title IV-D provisions unenforceable
  • S.D.Ill.: No damages under RLUIPA
  • Equally divided S.Ct. upholds IDEA reimbursement
  • Cal. dt. ct. denies stay due to sov. immunity
  • Dist. ct. declines to tackle Gonzaga
  • 2d Cir. upholds RLUIPA land use provisions
  • N.D.Okla: Medicaid provision enforced
  • Magistrate denies dimissal of ADA damages
  • S.D.Ohio: State denied judgment on pleadings in Medicaid case
  • 11th Cir. holds Rehab Act claim not moot
  • 2d Cir: NY not liable for NYC welfare violations
  • 7th Cir: No taxpayer standing in prayer case
  • Md.App.: Hearing req’d for denial of institutional care
  • D.Idaho: 20-year decree vacated in child mental health case
  • D.Haw.: ADA, Rehab Act claims against state go forward
  • M.D.Pa.: Providers can’t enforce Medicaid out-of-state provision
  • 9th Cir.: Immunity blocks Title VII suit against Governor
  • S.D.Ind.: No employment claim under ADA Title II
  • 11th Cir.: Garrett loses on Rehab Act merits
  • S.D. Miss. rejects Title II for prisons
  • Section 8 evidence standard enforceable (D.Mass.)
  • Cal. dt ct rejects enforcement of IDEA regs
  • 4th Cir. permits Medicaid reimbursement suit
  • 9th Cir.: no action under §1981 against state
  • D.Minn.: State Medical Board immune from Title II damages
  • 3d Cir.: No implied right of action in postal law
  • 7th Cir.: State univ. bd. of trustees immune from ADEA
  • 10th Cir. clarifies preemption/standing decision
  • N.D.Cal.: Medicare preempts state arbitration rules
  • N.D.Ohio: No ADA Title II immunity for state schools

Click here to view all 2006 postings (PDF)

Table of Contents

  • Good Decision On Reasonable Promptness Claims From Southern District of New York
  • Ninth Circuit Case on Fourteenth Amendment
  • Hawaii District Court 1983 Decision
  • Good 6th Cir. Title IX Case
  • Bad 8th Cir. Class Cert/11 Am. Case
  • Ohio District Court Dismisses Rehab Act Complaint
  • Good 5th Cir. Consent Decree Decision
  • Sixth Circuit Rules on ADA Title II
  • Supreme Court Preempts State Laws that Impose Medicaid Liens on Beneficiary Settlement Proceeds Greater than Proportion Attributable to Health Care Costs
  • Supreme Court Upholds ADA Damages Against States For Constitutional Violations In Prisons
  • Good Holding, Bad Dicta in District Court Case
  • High Court Defers to Legislatures on Takings for “Public Use”
  • N.D. Cal. Holds 1983 Enforceable by Providers
  • State Law Private Cause of Action Upheld
  • Sixth Cir. Decision in Part 2 of Westside Mothers
  • Fees Denied in Pendent 1983/Preemption Case
  • Supremes Hear Preemption Case Important to Senior and Consumer Advocates
  • No Private Enforcement of ADA Regulations
  • No 1983 Right in Voting Rights Case
  • Illinois Appellate court preemption decision
  • Alaska Supreme Court Upholds 1983 Rights
  • 2 Prisoner Religious Freedom 4th Cir. Cases

Click here to view all 2005 postings (PDF)

Table of Contents

  • ‘Federalism’ Justifies Vacating Consent Decree
  • Commerce Clause Issues Raised in Clean Water Act Certs
  • Cert. Granted in Dormant Commerce Clause, Taxpayer Standing Case
  • No Expert Fees under IDEA
  • 9th Cir. Rejects 1983 Claim to Enforce Medicaid Methods and Procedures Provision
  • 9th Cir. Rejects Another Sec. 1983 Medicaid Claim
  • Supreme Court Grants Cert in Federal Diversity Case
  • High Court Defers to Legislatures on Takings for “Public Use”
  • Supreme Court Upholds Broad Congressional Power in Marijuana Case
  • Religious Act Upheld; Radical Thomas Concurrence
  • No Standing if Third Party Breaks Causal Chain; Second Chance to Show Standing
  • Is the New Deal Under Attack?
  • NY Times: Lauren Saunders of NSCLC Quoted in Article on How Courts are Limiting Rights of Poor People to Use Legal System to Fight for Medicaid Benefits
  • TCA Creates Sect. 1983 Rights
  • Nuclear Option Fizzling on Launchpad
  • Supreme Court to Review Whether Bankruptcy Laws Can Abrogate States’ Immunity
  • Medicaid Act Enforceable by State as 3rd Party Beneficiary of Federal Contract
  • Supreme Court: ADEA Authorizes Disparate Impact Suits
  • Jackson v. Birmingham Board Is a Bit of a Throwback
  • Voting Rights Act Claim Against State Not Barred by Sovereign Immunity
  • No 1983 for FAA and AAIA
  • Garrett Back, Briefly; Everyone “Missed Something Big”
  • 5th Cir Upholds Preemption Claim Without 1983 “Rights”
  • No State Waiver of Immunity Under RCRA or CERCLA
  • The Balance Between the Commerce Clause and the 14th Amendment in Protecting Individual Rights
  • Easterbrook on the Gonzaga “Oxymoron”; Roberts on Overturning Thiboutot

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Table of Contents

  • Some Courts Wary of Expanding Defense of Sovereign Immunity
  • Court Upholds FMLA Self-Care Provision Against Sovereign Immunity Defense
  • Not All Waivers of Sovereign Immunity Construed Narrowly
  • Court Finds Medicaid Nursing Home Provisions Enforceable Under 1983
  • Gonzaga Contagion Quarantined?
  • D.C. Circuit Rejects Scalia, Thomas Views on Enforcement of Spending Clause Legislation
  • Court Restricts Congress’ Power to Legislate on Behalf of Disabled
  • Three Supreme Court Cases Upholding Congressional Power
  • Supreme Court Upholds ADA Title II Protection Of Access To Court Facilities
  • Preemption/Supremacy Clause Developments
  • States More Sovereign Than Sovereign Nations
  • Employee’s Rehabilitation Act Money Damages Claim Against State Agency Is Upheld
  • Fifth Circuit Allows ADA Title II Suit Against State Officials
  • 11th Circuit: ADA Unconstitutional As Applied to State Prisons
  • Supremacy Clause Cause of Action to Enforce Medicaid
  • Medicaid Recipients Enforce the Medicaid Act
  • Supremacy Clause/§1983 Upheld Unanimously In Provisional Vote Cases; DOJ Opposed
  • Court Upholds Congressional Spending Clause Power To Protect Rights

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Table of Contents

  • Spending Power Legislation Upheld
  • Supreme Court Sharply Limits Punitive Damages
  • County Covered By 11th Amendment Immunity
  • Sovereign Immunity of States Does Not Protect Counties
  • Rebuttal to Garcia on Waiver of Immunity
  • Congressional Power and the “Necessary and Proper” Clause
  • Two Justices Could Make Medicaid Suits An Endangered Species
  • Post-Hibbs Decision Suggests the FMLA Battle is Not Over
  • Medicaid Act Enforced Under Supremacy Clause Claim
  • 10th Circuit Reads Sandoval Narrowly, ADA Broadly
  • Commerce Clause Attacks Continue

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Table of Contents

  • Suing the State (and Other Government Entities) in the Twenty-First Century
  • Appeals Court Reverses Westside Mothers; Medicaid Statute Enforceable Against States
  • Supreme Court Strongly Reaffirms Ex parte Young
  • No State Immunity to Suit by Federal Government
  • Risk of Loss of Medicaid Funds Not Coercive Under Tenth Amendment
  • Spending Clause View of Justice Scalia
  • Supreme Court Tightens Scope of Rights Enforceable Under 1983
  • Conservative Judge Raps Supreme Court Majority
  • May States Refuse to Enforce Federal Law?
  • Fourth Circuit Debates Congressional Power Under the 14th Amendment
  • Clean Air Act Enforceable Against States Under Ex parte Young
  • Enforcing Federal Rights Through 1331/Supremacy Clause Jurisdiction

Click here to view all 2001 postings (PDF)

Table of Contents

  • Supreme Court Avoids Commerce Clause Question Through Narrow Construction of Clean Water Act
  • Supreme Court Holds Constitution Does Not Authorize Abrogation of State Immunity in Damage Action Against a State for Employoment Discrimination Under ADA Title I
  • Life After Garrett: Enforcing the ADA and Section 504 Against States, and State Officials
  • No Private Right to Enforce Title VI Disparate Impact Regulation: Alexander v. Sandoval
  • Two Courts Reject Westsider Mothers Decision, Enforce Medicaid Statute
  • Ex Parte Young: Memorandum on Historical Background
  • Supreme Court Invalidates Catalyst Theory for Court Awarded Attorneys Fee
  • ADA Title II and Section 504 Enforceable Under Ex parte Young and Section 1983
  • Supreme Court Briefs in Ferderalism Cases Available
  • DOJ Briefs in ADA Title II Sovereign Immunity Cases

  • 11th Cir.: Parts of Alabama anti-immigration law likely violate Constitution The Eleventh Circuit enjoined parts of Alabama’s anti-immigration law pending a full review of the merits. Though the decision did not bind the merits panel that will soon consider the law’s constitutionality, it indicates that the panel believes that at least parts of Alabama’s law violate the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution. United States v. ...
  • N.D.Ind: limit on payment for dental services violates Medicaid law A district court issued a preliminary injunction against a state law that places a $1,000 annual limit on Medicaid payments for dental services.  The court concluded that both state and federal Medical laws require states to fully “cover” dental procedures that are deemed medically necessary. Bontrager v. Ind. Family and Soc. Servs. Admin., No. 3:11-cv-216, ...
  • S.D.Tex.: rejects 11th Am. defense to ADA claim in education In a lawsuit against Texas A & M University, a district court held that sovereign immunity did not bar a former student’s claim against the University under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Court also held that the student sufficiently plead violations of Title II of the ADA, Section 504(a) of ...
  • 5th Cir: Remands case re consideration of race in re-zoning for schools After questioning whether the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Parents Involved required the district court to apply strict scrutiny to a school board’s decision to consider race when making a re-zoning decision, the Fifth Circuit found that there was a genuine issue of material fact and therefore vacated a grant of summary judgment. Lewis v. ...
  • D.D.C.: FDA’s rule re cigarette labels violates First Amendment After finding that a recently-issued final rule by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) likely violates the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment, a district court issued a preliminary injunction against the enforcement of the final rule. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. v. FDA, No. 11-1482 (D.D.C. Nov. 7, 2011). Richard J. Leon, a ...
  • 9th Cir: Younger Abstention in Challenge to Attorney Caseloads in Foster Care Cases In a per curiam opinion, the Ninth Circuit upheld a district court’s decision to abstain from adjudicating a lawsuit brought by a group of foster children under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. E.T. v. Cantil-Sakauye, 657 F.3d 902 (9th Cir. 2011). As with the district court, the Ninth Circuit concluded that O’Shea v. Littleton, 414 U.S. ...
  • D.C.Cir.: ACA’s individual mandate constitutional The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate under the Commerce Clause, rejecting the applicability of the Anti-Injunction Act. One judge dissented, arguing that the suit should be dismissed, based on the Anti-Injunction Act, and not expressing an opinion about the Commerce Clause issue. Susan Seven-Sky v. ...
  • NSCLC Statement on DC Ct of Appeals ACA Ruling The DC Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is constitutional. Of particular significance in terms of its likely consideration by the Supreme Court is that Senior Circuit Judge Laurence Silberman, a well known conservative jurist who wrote the opinion, rejected the health reform law opponent’s arguments. “It is hard ...
  • N.D.Fla.: Institutionalized plaintiffs have divergent interests from community plaintiffs, defeating class certification In a further development in litigation challenging a lengthy waiting list for Medicaid funding for Florida’s Home and Community Based Services Waiver program, the district court for the Northern District of Florida denied a motion for class certification from a group of plaintiffs with developmental disabilities. The court found that the plaintiffs living in the ...
  • M.D.N.C.: Abortion Law’s Compelled Speech Violates 1st Amendment After reviewing a provision of a North Carolina law that requires physicians or other healthcare providers to make an ultrasound image visible to a woman seeking an abortion and to describe to the patient the images seen on an ultrasound, a district court concluded that the provision likely violates the First Amendment and issued a ...

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