U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit Overrules Own Precedent, Holds Certain Primary Residence Claims Can Be Crammed Down in Chapter 13 Bankruptcies

The general rule in bankruptcy is that debtors cannot cram down loans secured only by mortgages on their primary residences. But wait, “what’s a cram…

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals Deals Significant Blow To Traditional Contractor-Subcontractor Relationship

   and John Ormand On January 25, 2017, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals[1], dealt a significant blow to the traditional contractor-subcontractor…

Damned If You Do: Supervisors Could Be At Risk For Reporting Sexual Harassment

and Joseph E. Hjelt On June 7, 2017, Judges Traxler, Motz and Agee on the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision which could make employees think…

SCOTUS Sends Transgender School Case Back To 4th Circuit

On March 6, 2017, the Supreme Court remanded a case about a transgender boy’s right to use the bathroom associated with his gender identity. Gavin Grimm, a…

Sharif v. United Airlines, Inc.: Discharging Employee For FMLA Fraud and Dishonesty Is Not FMLA Retaliation

A Halloween treat for employers and a trick for FMLA-abusing, dishonest employees: The 4th Circuit held that terminating an employee for abusing FMLA leave…

Fourth Circuit Approves Legislative Prayer

Editor’s note:  On Oct. 31, 2016, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed to re-hear the case en banc.  Oral arguments are tentatively scheduled for Jan.…