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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November 17, 2023 | National Law Journal

Fraternity Alumni Ask DC Circuit to Revive Defamation Suit Against University, Newspaper

Gallaudet University's president said the brotherhood "has become the face of racism" and the Washington Post reported the remarks.

By Avalon Zoppo

3 minute read

November 17, 2023 | National Law Journal

1st Circ. Judge Kayatta Going Senior, Allowing 'Younger Generation to Have More of a Voice'

The judicial vacancy will give Biden a chance to appoint five of the Boston-based court's six judges.

By Avalon Zoppo

2 minute read

November 16, 2023 | National Law Journal

Amazon Appeals NLRB-Spurred Injunction Following Employee's Firing

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit considers whether a judge's cease-and-desist order was proper.

By Avalon Zoppo

3 minute read

November 16, 2023 | National Law Journal

Will The 9th Circuit's Glyphosate Ruling Affect Other Cancer Warnings?

Judges will be "parsing the science" to determine whether a listed chemical is conclusively carcinogenic, one lawyer said.

By Avalon Zoppo

5 minute read

November 15, 2023 | National Law Journal

Jackson Lewis Defends Investigative Report to Client in Defamation Appeal

A law firm's findings cannot constitute a defamatory statement to a "third party" when they are delivered to the client, attorney tells Second Circuit.

By Avalon Zoppo

4 minute read

November 15, 2023 | National Law Journal

Biden Announces 3rd, 4th Circuit Picks

The president nominates law firm partner Adeel Mangi and union attorney Nicole Berner for appellate court seats.

By Avalon Zoppo

4 minute read

November 14, 2023 | National Law Journal

Bar Association's Mandatory Dues Violate 1st Amendment, 5th Circuit Says

The Louisiana State Bar Association "crossed the line when it promoted purely informational articles absent any tailoring to the legal profession," Judge Jerry Smith wrote for the three-member panel.

By Avalon Zoppo

5 minute read

November 10, 2023 | Law.com

Why Jury Consultants May Not Be Worth It and Other Tips from Judges

"Being able to read people should be… in [a lawyer's] wheelhouse already," Judge Marsha Pechman said in questioning the need for jury consultants.

By Avalon Zoppo

4 minute read

November 09, 2023 | National Law Journal

How Do Jurists Decide When Originalism, Precedent Diverge? Appellate Judges Give Their Thoughts

"This is one of these eternal debates that I have—I'm sure many judges have—with law clerks," said Judges James Ho of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

By Avalon Zoppo

4 minute read

November 07, 2023 | National Law Journal

5th Circuit Calls Out Judge's Sanction as Abuse of Discretion, Again

U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman had been accused of "overkill" last year for dismissing a case over a missed filing deadline in the Northern District of Texas.

By Avalon Zoppo

4 minute read

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