Avalon Zoppo

Avalon Zoppo

Avalon Zoppo is an appellate courts reporter for The National Law Journal. Contact her at [email protected]. On Twitter: @AvalonZoppo.

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October 07, 2024 | National Law Journal

Massachusetts Federal Judge F. Dennis Saylor to Take Senior Status

"It has been my great honor and privilege to serve as a United States District Judge for more than twenty years, and as Chief Judge since January 1, 2020," Saylor wrote in a letter to the White House.

By Avalon Zoppo

2 minute read

October 04, 2024 | National Law Journal

What Judicial Nominations Could Look Like Under a President Harris or Trump

The types of candidates a President Kamala Harris or Donald Trump put forward will depend largely on which party controls the Senate, observers say.

By Avalon Zoppo

8 minute read

October 03, 2024 | National Law Journal

6th Circuit Judge Readler Cautions Against Shaming Lawyers Over Election Challenges

"True, some cases pursued by Trump supporters seemed frivolous from the start and were swiftly dismissed," Chad Readler said. "Yet even where cases had some potential merit, lawyers were criticized even to the point of being a target of the cancel culture movement."

By Avalon Zoppo

4 minute read

October 02, 2024 | National Law Journal

DC Circuit Allows Betting on 2024 Election to Resume

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission "has not substantiated that risks to election integrity are likely to materialize if Kalshi[Ex] is allowed to operate its exchange during the pendency of this appeal," the court stated.

By Avalon Zoppo

3 minute read

September 30, 2024 | National Law Journal

3 Lawyers Mount Defense Against Ethics Charges Over 2020 Election Fraud Lawsuits

The District of Columbia Bar's Office of Disciplinary Counsel brought charges against attorneys Juli Haller, Lawrence Joseph and Brandon Johnson, accusing them of seriously interfering with the administration of justice by helping bring lawsuits in several states that lacked evidence of voter fraud in Joe Biden's victory over Donald Trump.

By Avalon Zoppo

4 minute read

September 27, 2024 | National Law Journal

9th Circuit Drills Down on Venue Issue in Privacy Suit Against E-Commerce Platform

"An electronic signal is sent over [and] something is implanted on a device that is in California," Judge Daniel Collins said. "It takes data in California from a device in California and ships it out of California. The claim is that the collection and transmission of the data violates California statutes. How does that conduct not occur in California?"

By Avalon Zoppo

4 minute read

September 25, 2024 | National Law Journal

'Error in Our Case Law': 9th Circuit Overturns False Claims Act First-to-File Precedent

"When our law is wrong, it is our duty to correct it," Judge Danielle Forrest wrote for the Ninth Circuit.

By Avalon Zoppo

4 minute read

September 24, 2024 | National Law Journal

5th Circuit Urged to Overturn Precedent in First Amendment, Book Removal Case

"Could libraries elsewhere [with] community political viewpoints take out books on hunting because those depict violence [and] they're harmful to kids?" asked Judge Stephen Higginson.

By Avalon Zoppo

4 minute read

September 23, 2024 | National Law Journal

5th Circuit Scrutinizes Under-21 Handgun Sales Ban Based on Supreme Court Test

"I'm puzzled, because it seems to me that your whole argument is premised on some idea that Rahimi changed the landscape quite a bit… and, I think the whole court, actually on this point, said that Bruen is still the test," said Judge Jennifer Elrod.

By Avalon Zoppo

4 minute read

September 20, 2024 | National Law Journal

'Nobody Else Knows': These Federal Appeals Courts Have Unique Local Rules

The Ninth Circuit is "the only court that has a rule that actually encourages the lawyers to come in and complain about a delay," said Judge Jon Newman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

By Avalon Zoppo

4 minute read