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Freedom of Information – Exemption 5 protects draft PTAB written decision
The 4th Circuit affirms withholding of draft PTAB written decisions under FOIA exemption 5 as predecisional and deliberative in EDVA.
Freedom of Information – Government fails to show it conducted a sufficient search for documents
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services failed to demonstrate a reasonably calculated search for documents in a FOIA case in EDVA.
USPTO properly redacted info in responsive documents
Where the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, redacted confidential, sensitive and privileged information from bar disciplinary hearings before producing the documents to an expelled attorney, it prevailed […]
SEC’s search for documents was inadequate
Where the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, limited the scope of its search in response to requests under the Freedom of Information Act, its search was inadequate. Background On […]
Search for responsive records request was adequate
Where the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, submitted a declaration explaining the methodology of and rationale behind its search process, indicating the types of searches performed, listing […]
Disclosure ordered for employees’ petition
Where plaintiff seeks documents from defendant municipality under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, an employee petition to the personnel committee to discuss complaints and concerns about the town manager […]
Requester exhausted remedies before filing suit
Where a plaintiff’s initial complaint challenging the government’s response to requests under the Freedom of Information Act was filed more than 20 business days after the request was made, the […]
In camera review doesn’t back deliberate process claim
Although the Council on Environmental Quality, or CEQ, claimed the production of dozens of unredacted documents would chill speech, stifle “frank and open discussions” and confuse the public, an in […]
Closed session did not violate FOIA
A town council complied with the Freedom of Information Act when it went into closed session to discuss personnel matters. Overview Plaintiff Hart has filed a complaint raising three issues […]
Closed sessions to discuss library closure violated VFOIA
A county board of supervisors violated the Virginia Freedom of Information Act by improperly going into closed sessions, and by discussing matters than went beyond the scope of the stated […]
Late release of database system information violated VFOIA
Where plaintiff reporter sought information concerning a database system from defendant corrections department, the request was “reasonably specific.” Defendant’s late response violated the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Overview Plaintiff […]
County board’s closed sessions violated FOIA
Where a county Board of Supervisors met in closed session and discussed the contents of an ad to replace the county attorney, and also discussed alternatives to the current county […]
Legal Tech
- A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR : New dedicated coverage of tech challenges facing law firms and legal departments
- Gemini Legal launches DraftEngine for civil litigation forms
- Lawyers continue to grapple with AI ethical issues
Verdicts & Settlements
- Medical Malpractice – Death from cancer followed stomach pain misdiagnosis
- Workers’ Compensation – Seasonal worker paralyzed in tobacco baler accident
- Medical Malpractice – Jurors side with doctor in suit over rescue surgery
- Motor Vehicle Negligence – Unicycle rider dies after being hit by car
- Premises Liability – Delivery driver injured by porch decking collapse
Opinion Digests
- Criminal – Allen charge wasn’t abuse of discretion
- Evidence – Expert’s exclusion from trial deemed harmless
- Parent and child – Mother held in contempt for violating visitation order
- Criminal – Court refuses to continue trial despite missing witness
- Criminal – Meth defendant wasn’t entitled to sentencing safety valve
- Tort – Comments about plaintiff were protected opinions
- Real Property – Condo unit owner challenges expansion plans
