United States Ninth Circuit - Opinion Summaries

HEMMINGS v. TIDYMAN'S INC.

Civil Rights, Constitutional Law, Labor & Employment Law, Remedies
Plaintiffs in sex discrimination suit against employer were entitled to punitive damages under Title VII, and the cap on such damages deemed...

US v. MENDOZA-PAZ

Constitutional Law, Criminal Law & Procedure, Evidence
In appeal challenging numerous aspects of defendant's conviction, court found statutes relating to possession and importation of marijuana, 21 U.S.C....

US v. DAY

Constitutional Law, Criminal Law & Procedure, Sentencing, Ethics & Professional Responsibility
In a claim for denial of effective assistance of counsel, the district court erred in concluding that the defendant could not show prejudice by...

SOVAK v. CHIGAI PHARMACEUTICAL CO.

Contracts, Dispute Resolution & Arbitration, Health Law
When an underlying agreement contains only a general state choice-of-law clause, federal law governs the right to compel arbitration, and state law...

BEELER v. JEWELL

Bankruptcy Law, Property Law & Real Estate
Debtors encumbered their house prior to filing for bankruptcy, and further financing of debtors' corporation after bankruptcy filing did not amount to...

IN RE: BASSETT

Bankruptcy Law, Contracts, Debt Collection
Reaffirmation agreement was enforceable, the "right to rescind" statement therein being "clear and conspicuous" under the circumstances so that...

CHEVRON USA, INC. v. EL-KHOURY

Contracts, Corporation & Enterprise Law, Oil and Gas Law, Tax Law
In an action for termination of franchise, summary judgment for plaintiff was improper where a question of fact existed as to whether failure to pay...

FAIR HOUSING OF MARIN v. COMBS

Civil Rights, Constitutional Law, Property Law & Real Estate
Community fair housing organization suffered injury sufficient to convey first-party standing to sue by utilizing resources to identify and fight...

LITTLE v. REAVES

Bankruptcy Law, Debt Collection
Petitioner who sought and was denied regular exemptions for her vehicle, under the Civil Code of California, from enforcement of a secured debt could...

NAVAJO NATION v. DEP'T OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVS.

Administrative Law, Government Benefits, Indian Law
Decision of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, finding that the Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Program did not qualify as a program...