Tag Archives: sixth circuit

Sixth Circuit Erases Chalking of Parked Cars

It’s not often that a dispute over parking tickets ends up in federal court. But that’s exactly what happened this week in Taylor v. City of Saginaw – a case that has already drawn the attention of the national media. Taylor involved a challenge to “a common parking enforcement practice known as ‘chalking,’ whereby City parking … Continue Reading

Sixth Circuit Reinstates $15.6 Million Damage Award

On Friday, the Sixth Circuit reinstated a $15.6 million jury verdict awarded to Cranpark, Inc. in its promissory estoppel suit against Rogers Group, Inc. (“RGI”). In 1998, representatives from RGI and James Sabatine, the owner of Hardrives Paving and Construction, Inc. (“Hardrives”), for whom Cranpark is the successor-in-interest, met to discuss a possible joint venture … Continue Reading

Sixth Circuit Rules on $200,000 Back Pay Issue

On Wednesday, the Sixth Circuit issued its decision in Szeinbach v. The Ohio State University. The case centered on Szeinbach’s claim that she was discriminated against while she was employed as a professor with the Ohio State University College of Pharmacy. Szeinbach alleged that she was the victim of discrimination and retaliation stemming from her … Continue Reading

Sixth Circuit Tackles Two Questions of First Impression Under CAFA

On Wednesday, the Sixth Circuit decided two issues of first impression, both of which related to the Class Action Fairness Act (“CAFA”). Graiser v. Visionworks of America, Inc., the plaintiff alleged that the company’s “buy one get one free” advertisement was misleading. The plaintiff waited until six months after its complaint to tell the defendant … Continue Reading

Supreme Court Affirmation Leaves More Questions than Answers

Two weeks ago, the jurisprudential ramifications of Justice Scalia’s passing were felt. The incomplete Court decided Hawkins v. Community Bank of Raymore, a case from the Eighth Circuit questioning whether a guarantor is an “applicant” as defined in the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. The Eighth Circuit decision in Hawkins, which held that a guarantor is … Continue Reading

The Connection between Caseload and Per Curiam Circuit Court Opinions

Nearly two years ago, we commented on the increasing frequency with which federal courts of appeals issue per curiam, and often short and unsigned, opinions. Specifically, we noted that the use of such opinions had increased significantly 2013, year over year. This increase was consistent with the general modern trend toward per curiam opinion.   This … Continue Reading

A Review of Judicial Vacancies

While all eyes are currently on a vacancy at the Supreme Court, we should not overlook circuit-level vacancies.  Not including senior judges, the Sixth Circuit has positions for 16 judges, but with one vacancy, only has 15 active judges. The vacancy, created when Judge Martin retired on August 16, 2013, has existed on the court … Continue Reading

Sixth Circuit Agrees to Hear Challenge to Clean Water Act

On Monday, the Sixth Circuit agreed to hear challenges to a controversial rule redefining the federal government’s jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. Industry and environmental groups have argued that it would be better for the nearly 20 lawsuits filed regarding the rule to be decided at the district level. In Murray Energy Corporation v. … Continue Reading

Sixth Circuit Oral Argument Statistics

In the 12 months ended June 30, 2015, the Sixth Circuit terminated 4,858 cases. Of the total cases terminated, 3,515 were terminated on the merits, meaning that they were terminated either through consolidation with another case, after the submission of the parties’ briefs, or after oral argument. A review of the judicial statistics surrounding the … Continue Reading

All contract Provisions Contribute to the Intent of the Parties

We all know that courts want to read contracts as a whole to effectuate the intent of the parties.  This case provides a textbook illustration of the principle. In a case arising from the bankruptcy and technology context, Cyber challenged the district court’s interpretation of its contractual agreements with Priva. The dispositive question was whether … Continue Reading

Tax Code Interpretation Presents an Issue for Congress, Not the Courts

The Sixth Circuit tackled a complex question involving the interpretation and application of Internal Revenue Code Section 1256 as it applies to so-called “major-minor” currency transactions. The term “major-minor” is a reference to the fact that a currency is considered “major” if positions in it are traded through regulated futures contracts and a currency is … Continue Reading

Divided Sixth Circuit Finds Employer Bound by Collective Bargaining Agreements without a Signature

On December 29th, the Sixth Circuit issued a 2-1 decision holding that an employer could be bound by a collective bargaining agreement (“CBA”) even if the employer did not sign the CBA or expressly authorize someone else to sign on the employers behalf. The Court explained that its holding is in line with Sixth Circuit … Continue Reading

Close Call on Daubert Question

In an opinion filed on December 16, the Sixth Circuit discussed a Daubert question that the court declared to be a “close call,” but ultimately agreed with the district court’s finding that the expert testimony was admissible. The Daubert issue was on appeal as part of a complex case that involved a claim made by … Continue Reading

Sixth Circuit Differentiates Trade Secrets and Confidential Information

On Tuesday, in an unpublished opinion, the Sixth Circuit addressed the relationship between trade secrets, contractually protected confidential information, and general skills and knowledge. The Sixth Circuit reversed the district court’s ruling and held that not all contractually protected confidential information is either a trade secret or general knowledge or skill. Rather, confidential information can … Continue Reading

Daubert in the Sixth Circuit

In February of 2014, we posted an analysis of the Sixth Circuit’s dealings with Daubert claims dating back to 2010. Over that four year period, the Sixth Circuit reversed fives cases on the basis of the district court’s application of Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals. In four of the five reversed cases, the Sixth Circuit … Continue Reading
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