Primary-source legal analysis

Case Library

Primary-source case analyses published in September 2026.

← 2026 archive

September 2026

119 analyses, newest first.

September 30, 2026WCABLarson v. Moraga Orinda Fire District: Why This Trail-Running Injury Was Compensable Filed decision PDF

September 30, 2026C.D. Cal.Duran Martinez v. Mullin: An Arrest Record Did Not Justify Re-Detention Without Process Filed decision PDF

September 30, 2026CA Supreme CourtGattuso: Higher Commissions Could Cover Car Expenses Only With an Identifiable, Sufficient Allocation Filed decision PDF

September 30, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtStone v. White: Why an Erroneous Trustee Tax Did Not Produce a Refund Filed decision PDF

September 29, 2026WCABEvans: Report Delay and the Worker’s Burden Supported Denial of an Overpayment Credit Filed decision PDF

September 29, 2026S.D. Tex.Portillo Garcia: A Pending VAWA Petition Did Not Displace the Fifth Circuit’s Custody Rule Filed decision PDF

September 29, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtConnick: One Public-Concern Question Did Not Resolve the Speech Balance Filed decision PDF

September 29, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtMcDonald: The Judgment Denied Campaign Deductions, With a Divided Rationale Filed decision PDF

September 28, 2026WCABTaylor: An Unsupported Budget Did Not Establish Grounds for Commutation Filed decision PDF

September 28, 2026C.D. Cal.E.R. v. Mullin: A Custody Record Did Not Substitute for an Answer to the Habeas Claim Filed decision PDF

September 28, 2026CA Court of AppealCivil Rights Department v. SpaceX: Unresolved California Connections Supported Further Investigation Filed decision PDF

September 28, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtSecurity Flour Mills: Later Customer Refunds Could Not Be Moved Back to the Sales Year Filed decision PDF

September 27, 2026WCABPayan: Identifying the Correct Insurer Changed the Discovery Timeline Filed decision PDF

September 27, 2026C.D. Cal.Dixon: Immediate Release Without a Prospective Detention Injunction Filed decision PDF

September 27, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtGuarnieri: Public Concern Limits a Public Employee’s Petition-Clause Claim Filed decision PDF

September 27, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtG.M. Leasing: Public Automobile Seizures and a Private Office Entry Had Different Results Filed decision PDF

September 26, 2026WCABStanley: Dependent Children and Good Cause After a CalPERS Election Filed decision PDF

September 26, 2026D. Minn.Jose Alberto C.D.: Deferred Action, Reinstatement, and a Premature Zadvydas Claim Filed decision PDF

September 26, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtEngquist: Why Arbitrary Public Personnel Decisions Do Not Support a Class-of-One Claim Filed decision PDF

September 26, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtFausner: Carrying Flight Bags Did Not Convert a Commute into Business Travel Filed decision PDF

September 25, 2026CA Supreme CourtValdez: Non-MPN Treatment Reports Were Not Categorically Excluded Filed decision PDF

September 25, 2026C.D. Cal.Rodriguez-Gonzalez: A Bond Hearing Already Held Changed the Habeas Claim Filed decision PDF

September 25, 2026CA Supreme CourtYanowitz: Opposition Can Be Clear Without Legal Buzzwords Filed decision PDF

September 25, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtRowan: The Meals-and-Lodging Tax Result and Its Statutory Limits Today Filed decision PDF

September 24, 2026WCABJohnson v. MHX: A Train Collision Defeated the Six-Month Bar, but the Psychiatric Claim Remained Open Filed decision PDF

September 24, 2026CA Supreme CourtBianka M.: SIJS Findings, an Absent Parent, and Evidence That Cannot Be Borrowed from U, T, or VAWA Cases Filed decision PDF

September 24, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtDukes: Common Answers, Local Discretion, and the Wrong Class Route for Individualized Backpay Filed decision PDF

September 24, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtBaral: A Timely Refund Claim, Deemed Payment Dates, and a Zero Lookback Cap Filed decision PDF

September 23, 2026WCABLett: An Unsigned Transcript Was Not a Prerequisite to Deposition Attorney Fees Filed decision PDF

September 23, 2026C.D. Cal.Balasanyan: A Later Bond Denial Shifted the Habeas Inquiry to Present Custody Filed decision PDF

September 23, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtTyson Foods: A Time Study Could Prove Individual Hours Without Erasing Individual Injury Filed decision PDF

September 23, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtKales: A Timely Letter Asserted a Present Refund Claim Despite a Future Contingency Filed decision PDF

September 22, 2026WCABBrown-Thompson: A Late Reconsideration Petition Did Not Reopen the WCAB Order Filed decision PDF

September 22, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtThuraissigiam: Expedited-Removal Habeas Did Not Supply a New Asylum Hearing Filed decision PDF

September 22, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtRicci: Why Three Proposed Promotion-Test Alternatives Failed Filed decision PDF

September 22, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtCraft: Federal Tax Liens Can Reach State-Law Rights in Entireties Property Filed decision PDF

Historical coverage: September 21, 2026 · Published September 22, 2026WCABGutierrez: The Last Injurious Exposure, Not the Knowledge Date, Set the Insurer Window Filed decision PDF

September 21, 2026D. New JerseyVaca Flores: D.N.J. Order on the Limits of a Pending U-Visa Petition Filed decision PDF

Historical coverage: September 21, 2026 · Published September 22, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtGross v. FBL: Private-Sector ADEA Claims Require Proof That Age Made the Difference Filed decision PDF

Historical coverage: September 21, 2026 · Published September 22, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtGroetzinger: Why a Losing Gambling Year Raised a Minimum-Tax Question Filed decision PDF

September 20, 2026WCABValencia: Vocational Testing Supported Permanent Total Disability Without Replacing Medical Opinion Filed decision PDF

September 20, 20269th Cir.Vargas Rincon: Investigation Evidence Supported the Agency’s Finding on Government Control Filed decision PDF

September 20, 2026CA Court of AppealMcInerney: Fair Chance Act Five-Day Violation Still Required Proof of Resulting Harm Filed decision PDF

September 20, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtUnited States v. Carlton: Prompt, Curative Tax Retroactivity Satisfied Due Process Filed decision PDF

September 19, 2026WCABPantoja: Broad Release Language Did Not Settle an Omitted Neck Injury Filed decision PDF

September 19, 20269th Cir.Immigrant Defenders: Reimplementing Remain in Mexico Was Reviewable Final Agency Action Filed decision PDF

September 19, 2026CA Court of AppealHickenbottom: When a Different Contract Still Seeks the Same Order Filed decision PDF

September 19, 2026U.S. Tax CourtSilver Moss: The Seventh Amendment Did Not Require a Jury for a Tax Court Fraud Penalty Filed decision PDF

September 18, 2026WCABButler: Apportionment Failed Where the Medical History Remained Unresolved Filed decision PDF

September 18, 2026C.D. Cal.Juarez Evangelista: Detention Under the Wrong Statute Led to Immediate Habeas Release Filed decision PDF

September 18, 2026CA Supreme CourtBailey: One Severe Racial-Harassment Incident Can Support a FEHA Claim Filed decision PDF

September 18, 20266th Cir.Mann Construction: An IRS Listed-Transaction Notice Had to Follow the APA Filed decision PDF

September 17, 2026CA Supreme CourtMayor: The WCAB Could Not Equitably Toll Its Own Reconsideration Deadline Filed decision PDF

September 17, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtGuzman Chavez: Reinstated-Order Detention During Withholding-Only Proceedings Falls Under Section 1231 Filed decision PDF

September 17, 2026CA Supreme CourtWilliams: PAGA Discovery Is Not Limited to the Employee’s Own Worksite Filed decision PDF

September 17, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtHiggins: Unchallenged Returns and Selected Rulings Did Not Establish a Settled Tax Rule Filed decision PDF

September 16, 2026WCABCurry White: A Future-Medical Dispute Needs a Concrete Request and Denial Filed decision PDF

September 16, 20269th Cir.Diouf II After Jennings: Prolonged Post-Order Detention and the Constitutional Question Filed decision PDF

September 16, 2026CA Supreme CourtWard: California Wage Statements Turn on the Employee’s Principal Place of Work Filed decision PDF

September 16, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtBingler: Employer Educational Payments Were Compensation, Not Scholarships Filed decision PDF

September 15, 2026WCABRadilla: Medical Evidence Supported an Alternative Rating and Adding Impairments Filed decision PDF

September 15, 2026C.D. Cal.Bo Chen: Short First Detention and an Unrequested Bond Hearing Did Not Support Release Filed decision PDF

September 15, 2026CA Supreme CourtKim: Settling Individual Labor Code Claims Does Not Eliminate PAGA Standing Filed decision PDF

September 15, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtP.G. Lake: Selling a Carved-Out Right to Future Income Produced Ordinary Income Filed decision PDF

September 14, 2026WCABMorales: First Decide Whether Psychiatric Injury Is Direct or a Compensable Consequence Filed decision PDF

September 14, 2026C.D. Cal.Zakharenkova: Release Did Not End the Challenge to Re-Detention Filed decision PDF

September 14, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtStarbucks: NLRB Injunction Requests Must Satisfy the Traditional Four-Factor Test Filed decision PDF

September 14, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtBittner: Earlier Agency Warnings Mattered, but the Lenity Rationale Had Only Two Votes Filed decision PDF

September 13, 2026WCABRivera: A Stale Medical and Vocational Record Required Further Development Filed decision PDF

September 13, 2026C.D. Cal.M.V.F.: Why C.D. Cal. Ordered Release After ICE Re-Detention Without Prior Process Filed decision PDF

September 13, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtMuldrow: A Title VII Transfer Need Cause Some Harm, Not Significant Harm Filed decision PDF

September 13, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtLoBue: Compensation Was Settled, but the Purchase-Completion Date Was Not Filed decision PDF

September 12, 2026WCABErazo: Unrefuted Medical Reporting Supported Industrial Injury at Lien Trial Filed decision PDF

September 12, 2026C.D. Cal.When an $85,000 Immigration Bond Becomes Continued Detention: Mayorquin AriasFiled decision PDF

September 12, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtGroff: A New Hardship Inquiry Required Remand, Not an Automatic Employee Victory Filed decision PDF

September 12, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtBoechler: Late Petition Review and an Injunction Against Collection Are Different Questions Filed decision PDF

September 11, 2026WCABNeves Rivera: A Section 5814 Penalty Reached the Entire Unreasonably Delayed Payment Filed decision PDF

September 11, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtGuzman Chavez: Reinstated Removal Orders Remain Final During Withholding-Only Proceedings Filed decision PDF

September 11, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtHelix Energy: A High Daily Rate Is Not a Salary Basis Under the FLSA Filed decision PDF

September 11, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtPPL: How the Windfall-Tax Formula Revealed an Excess-Profits Tax Filed decision PDF

September 10, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtBanks: A Factual Mistake Allowed Compensation Review, and Remittitur Was Not a Third-Party Compromise Filed decision PDF

September 10, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtBiden v. Texas: The Immigration Statute Did Not Require Continued Use of the MPP Return Authority Filed decision PDF

September 10, 2026CA Supreme CourtRaines: A Business-Entity Agent May Be Directly Liable Under FEHA Filed decision PDF

September 10, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtNational Carbide: Parent Funding and Expense Allocation Did Not Decide Tax Agency Filed decision PDF

September 9, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtPfeifer: Longshore Compensation Did Not Bar Vessel Negligence, and Future Earnings Required a Deliberate Discount Rate Filed decision PDF

September 9, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtYang: Eligibility for a Fraud Waiver Did Not Bar the Agency from Weighing a Broader Fraud Pattern Filed decision PDF

September 9, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtCrawford: Protecting Interview Answers Did Not Undermine Harassment Investigations Filed decision PDF

September 9, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtHillsboro National Bank: The Tax-Benefit Rule Asks Whether a Later Event Is Fundamentally Inconsistent Filed decision PDF

September 8, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtBloomer: A Longshore Compensation Lien Was Not Reduced by a Share of Litigation Costs Filed decision PDF

September 8, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtMuñoz: A Citizen Has No Fundamental Liberty Interest in a Spouse’s Visa Admission Filed decision PDF

September 8, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtCunningham: ERISA Transaction Exemptions Are Affirmative Defenses Filed decision PDF

September 8, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtMoore: Three Attempts to Distinguish the MRT From Established Taxes Failed Filed decision PDF

September 7, 2026WCABRizk: A Reemployment-List Placement Did Not Establish Section 132a Discrimination Filed decision PDF

September 7, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtAleman Gonzalez: Section 1252(f)(1) Bars Lower-Court Classwide Injunctions Against Detention Statutes Filed decision PDF

September 7, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtMount Lemmon: State and Local Employers Face ADEA Coverage Regardless of Size Filed decision PDF

September 7, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtBoulware: Rejecting an Intent Requirement Did Not Make Every Diversion Tax-Free Filed decision PDF

September 6, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtValladolid: OCSLA Coverage Requires a Substantial Nexus to Offshore Operations Filed decision PDF

September 6, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtHarisiades: Congress Could Make Prior Communist Membership a Ground of Deportation Filed decision PDF

September 6, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtGreen: The Court Chose a Notice Rule but Left the Actual Resignation Date Unresolved Filed decision PDF

September 6, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtHealy: Salary Received Under a Claim of Right Was Income Despite a Later Repayment Filed decision PDF

September 5, 2026WCABPerez: A Hearing Request Can Satisfy the Electronic-Testimony Petition Rule Filed decision PDF

September 5, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtTurner: Congress Could Exclude an Anarchist and Commit Enforcement to Immigration Officers Filed decision PDF

September 5, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtJohnson: A Flexible Promotion Plan Could Consider Sex as One Factor Filed decision PDF

September 5, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtDeputy v. du Pont: A Stock-Loan Carrying Charge Was Not Interest on Borrowed Money Filed decision PDF

September 4, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtDavis: A Maritime Worker Could Recover Under State Law in the Jurisdictional Twilight Zone Filed decision PDF

September 4, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtWong Kim Ark: Birth in the United States Conferred Citizenship Under the Fourteenth Amendment Filed decision PDF

September 4, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtWatson: The Justices Agreed on Review but Split Over the Employer’s Proof Filed decision PDF

September 4, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtFirst Security Bank: Section 482 Could Not Allocate Income the Banks Were Legally Barred From Receiving Filed decision PDF

September 3, 2026WCABVazquez: A Late QME Appointment Does Not Automatically Require Replacement Filed decision PDF

September 3, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtGalvan v. Press: Congress Could Make Past Knowing Communist Membership a Ground of Deportation Filed decision PDF

September 3, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtCline: Why the Court Read the ADEA’s Words in Context Filed decision PDF

September 3, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtNorth American Oil: Claim-of-Right Income Is Taxed When Control Becomes Unrestricted Filed decision PDF

September 2, 2026WCABHernandez: A Saturday Filing Deadline Extended to the Next Business Day Filed decision PDF

September 2, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtLeng May Ma: Immigration Parole Did Not Constitute an Admission Filed decision PDF

September 2, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtHishon: Title VII Reaches Discriminatory Denial of Partnership Consideration Filed decision PDF

September 1, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtWard & Gow: Workers’ Compensation Coverage Could Follow the Employer’s Hazardous Business Filed decision PDF

September 1, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtFong Yue Ting: The Court Treated Deportation as a Civil Exercise of Federal Power Filed decision PDF

September 1, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtCooper: A Classwide Pattern-or-Practice Loss Did Not Automatically Defeat Individual Claims Filed decision PDF

September 1, 2026U.S. Supreme CourtArrowsmith: A Later Payment Kept the Character of the Earlier Liquidation Filed decision PDF