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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December 03, 2024 | National Law Journal

9th Circuit Judges Weigh if Section 230 Shields Grindr From Defective Design Claims

“[Doe] frictionlessly downloaded the app while he was at school without needing to identify himself or age verify, and was immediately matched with a man who lives next door at the school because they were so geolocation proximate, and that day, the man raped him,” said Carrie Goldberg, the boy's attorney.

By Avalon Zoppo

4 minute read

December 02, 2024 | National Law Journal

2 Federal Judges Rescind Senior Status After Trump Win. Might More Follow?

Currently, seven district and appellate judges have conditioned their retirements on the confirmation of a successor. Those judges have the authority to reverse their decision.

By Avalon Zoppo

5 minute read

November 27, 2024 | National Law Journal

US District Judge in North Carolina Will Take Senior Status

Frank Whitney, of the Western District of North Carolina, was appointed to the bench by President George W. Bush in 2006.

By Avalon Zoppo

2 minute read

November 26, 2024 | National Law Journal

DOJ Asks 5th Circuit to Publish Opinion Upholding Gun Ban for Felon

In its motion for publication, the federal government stated that giving the ruling precedential effect would help judges resolve other cases challenging the constitutionality of the federal ban on felon gun possession where the underlying predicate offenses are manslaughter and aggravated assault.

By Avalon Zoppo

4 minute read

November 21, 2024 | National Law Journal

Democrats Give Up Circuit Court Picks for Trial Judges in Reported Deal With GOP

The agreement sinks the nominations of Adeel Mangi for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, Ryan Park for the Fourth Circuit, Julia Lipez for the First Circuit and Karla Campbell for the Sixth Circuit.

By Avalon Zoppo

3 minute read

November 21, 2024 | National Law Journal

6th Circuit Judges Spar Over Constitutionality of Ohio’s Ballot Initiative Procedures

Judges Amul Thapar and Karen Nelson Moore disagree on whether the ballot procedures merely impose "a threshold requirement that proponents must satisfy if they want their speech and signature collection to have legally operative effect.”

By Avalon Zoppo

4 minute read

November 21, 2024 | National Law Journal

Where Do Web-Tracking Class Actions Belong? 8th Circuit Weighs the Issue

The appeals court heard arguments on whether a company's physical presence in a state gives local federal courts personal jurisdiction over claims based on the business' website.

By Avalon Zoppo

4 minute read

November 20, 2024 | National Law Journal

Amir Ali, MacArthur Justice Center Director, Confirmed to DC District Court

The U.S. Senate also confirmed Rebecca L. Pennell to the Eastern District of Washington.

By Avalon Zoppo

1 minute read

November 18, 2024 | National Law Journal

US Magistrate Judge Embry Kidd Confirmed to 11th Circuit

Kidd, confirmed on a 49-45 vote, will be President Joe Biden’s second appointee to the federal appeals court that covers Alabama, Florida and Georgia.

By Avalon Zoppo

2 minute read

November 18, 2024 | National Law Journal

Amazon, SpaceX Press Constitutional Challenges to NLRB at 5th Circuit

The oral arguments represented the latest legal attack from corporations against the 89-year-old National Labor Relations Board, buoyed by the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling this year in SEC v. Jarkesy.

By Avalon Zoppo

4 minute read