7th Circuit Court

Federal appeals courts go remote amid COVID-19 surge

Several federal appeals courts are starting the new year with changes in their operations amid the ongoing surge in COVID-19 infections.

Jan 4, 2022 12:08 PM CST

7th Circuit reprimands lawyer for skipping oral arguments, relying on opposing counsel

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at Chicago has reprimanded a New York lawyer for skipping oral arguments in a late-settled case and relying on opposing counsel to represent the parties’ joint views on costs.

Dec 8, 2021 12:36 PM CST

If trends persist, there won’t be gender parity among lawyers arguing at 7th Circuit until 2059

The gender gap among lawyers arguing before the federal appeals court in Chicago barely improved over the last decade, according to a report published by the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession.

Dec 8, 2021 8:44 AM CST

4th Circuit judge rescinds plan to take senior status

A federal judge who announced in August that he would step down from active service has changed his plans.

Nov 29, 2021 9:34 AM CST

Considering mask fights, states may hold off on making COVID-19 vaccine required school immunization

Lawyers interviewed by the ABA Journal disagree on whether requiring the vaccines is the best approach for keeping children in schools, but most agree the virus has caused significant work for school administrators, many of whom are still dealing with pushback on masking rules.

Oct 19, 2021 1:45 PM CDT

Can a court reduce punitive damages below statutory cap? Supreme Court asks for solicitor general’s view

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday sought the view of the U.S. solicitor general in a case in which a federal appeals court reduced punitive damages below a statutory cap.

Oct 13, 2021 11:37 AM CDT

7th Circuit warns of ‘catastrophe for litigants’ when judges wait too long to issue opinions after orders

A federal appeals court has used its opinion affirming a case dismissal to criticize a federal judge for a 75-day gap between her initial decision to toss the case and the opinion explaining her reasons.

Oct 12, 2021 4:00 PM CDT

Few federal courts report that they require COVID-19 vaccines for court employees

Few federal courts have reported that they are requiring COVID-19 vaccines for court workers, although an order this week requires the employees to report their vaccination status.

Sep 24, 2021 11:05 AM CDT

Cops’ use of pole camera to surveil partly fenced property was unconstitutional, state supreme court rules

Police officers in Colorado Springs, Colorado, violated the Fourth Amendment rights of a drug suspect when they erected a pole camera to record video of his partly fenced property for three months without obtaining a warrant, the Colorado Supreme Court has ruled.

Sep 14, 2021 11:02 AM CDT

7th Circuit refuses to block Indiana abortion restrictions

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at Chicago has allowed Indiana to continue enforcement of several abortion restrictions pending an appeal by Whole Woman’s Health Alliance.

Sep 10, 2021 10:53 AM CDT

7th Circuit sees no constitutional problem with Indiana University’s COVID-19 vaccine requirements

A federal appeals court has rejected an injunction request by eight Indiana University students who claim that COVID-19 vaccine requirements violate their 14th Amendment right to “personal autonomy” and “bodily integrity.”

Aug 3, 2021 10:39 AM CDT

7th Circuit blocks Indiana’s second-try voter purge law; changes were ‘largely cosmetic’

A federal appeals court has blocked an Indiana law that allows county officials to kick some people off voter rolls without consent or notice.

Jul 20, 2021 11:09 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: High-rise Miami courthouse closed for emergency repairs; Lawyers criticize National Guard border deployment

Miami courthouse closes after engineering firm identifies safety issues The Miami-Dade County Courthouse began undergoing immediate repairs on Friday after an engineering firm that examined the 28-story building identified safety concerns with various floors. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade Circuit Court Chief Judge Nushin G. Sayfie and Miami-Dade…

Jul 13, 2021 4:30 PM CDT

Thomas, liberal justices dissent in SCOTUS standing decision: ‘Pithy catchphrase’ limits Congress’ power

In a 5-4 decision on constitutional standing, the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday limited which consumers can sue over erroneous TransUnion credit reports that flagged them as potential terrorists, drug traffickers and other serious criminals.

Jun 25, 2021 12:10 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Suit tossed over ‘stateless’ BigLaw partners; Lafayette Square claims dismissed

Perkins Coie wins suit dismissal because of ‘stateless’ partners The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at Chicago has ruled that former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page can’t sue Perkins Coie for defamation in federal court. Page had alleged that the law firm and the Democratic National Committee retained Fusion…

Jun 22, 2021 4:53 PM CDT