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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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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

September 20, 2024 | Law.com

State Supreme Court Justices Talk Tension Between Judicial Elections, Free Speech

"The flip side is--and these words I thought would never come out of my mouth–-I don't want too many First Amendment rights," said Arizona Supreme Court Justice Clint Bolick.

By Avalon Zoppo

4 minute read

September 19, 2024 | National Law Journal

DC Circuit Weighs Copyright Protection for AI-Generated Image

The person seeking protection argued that the Copyright Act doesn't require a piece of work to have a human author to be protected and that, nevertheless, he was involved in the image's creation since he built the AI program that generated it.

By Avalon Zoppo

4 minute read

September 17, 2024 | National Law Journal

Judge Stresses Need for Judiciary's Attention to Cybersecurity During Election Season

"Make sure that everyone is being attentive to the smallest things... like making sure your passwords are updated [and] being careful what you click on," said Judge Michael Scudder, of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

By Avalon Zoppo

2 minute read

September 17, 2024 | National Law Journal

GOP Senators Urge Judiciary to Scrap Proposal for Greater Amicus Funding Disclosure

The Supreme Court "has long protected those who associate for speech purposes from compelled disclosure of those associations, subjecting any such disclosures to 'exacting scrutiny,'" the Republican lawmakers wrote.

By Avalon Zoppo

3 minute read

September 16, 2024 | National Law Journal

Senate Confirms Federal Prosecutor Kevin Ritz to 6th Circuit

Ritz, who was confirmed in a 48-46 vote, served as an assistant U.S. attorney before Biden appointed him U.S. attorney for the Western District of Tennessee in 2022.

By Avalon Zoppo

2 minute read

September 16, 2024 | National Law Journal

Challenge to TikTok Ban-or-Sale Law Faces First Amendment Scrutiny at DC Circuit

Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan pressed TikTok on whether a company based outside of the United States can bring a First Amendment challenge to a federal regulation.

By Avalon Zoppo

4 minute read

September 13, 2024 | National Law Journal

Judge Sounds Alarm Over Persistent Circuit Split on 'Favorable Termination' Rule

The rule, established in the Supreme Court's 1994 decision 'Heck v. Humphrey,' bars people from bringing civil rights suits without first showing their conviction has been reversed, set aside or expunged. Circuits are divided over whether that rule applies to plaintiffs no longer in prison.

By Avalon Zoppo

5 minute read

September 12, 2024 | National Law Journal

Law Clerks Can't Seek Post-Clerkship Jobs With Political Orgs, Ethics Guidance Says

"A law clerk who applies for a job with a political organization risks linking the judge's chambers to political activity, which could compromise the independence of the judiciary," the advisory opinion states.

By Avalon Zoppo

2 minute read

September 12, 2024 | National Law Journal

Citing Missed Deadline, 2nd Circuit Tosses Appeal Against Equitable Insurance

"The local rules do not supersede the requirements of the federal rules" of appellate procedure, the appeals court held. "Moreover, the district court's individual rules explicitly warned that this Court would not accept such an argument to excuse an untimely notice of appeal."

By Avalon Zoppo

3 minute read