Avalon Zoppo

Avalon Zoppo

Avalon Zoppo is an appellate courts reporter for The National Law Journal. Contact her at [email protected]. On Twitter: @AvalonZoppo.

Connect with this author

November 15, 2024 | National Law Journal

5th Circuit Judge Jones Slams Proposal for Greater Amicus Brief Funding Disclosure

“I urge any of you who are defenders of the First Amendment," said Edith Jones. "It's a case called NAACP v. Alabama, which says that that violates the First Amendment—that kind of compelled disclosure.”

By Avalon Zoppo

6 minute read

November 15, 2024 | Law.com

Judges Question 9th Circuit’s Unique Binding Dicta Rule. The Criticism Isn't New.

The rule allows panels to treat “well-reasoned” dicta as precedential.

By Avalon Zoppo

5 minute read

November 14, 2024 | National Law Journal

Senate Democrats Advance 4th Circuit Pick Ryan Park’s Nomination

Park, North Carolina's solicitor general, was moved out of the committee in a 11-10 vote along party lines.

By Avalon Zoppo

3 minute read

November 13, 2024 | National Law Journal

Trump Picks William McGinley as White House Counsel

McGinley was assistant to the president and White House cabinet secretary during President-elect Donald Trump’s first term.

By Avalon Zoppo

3 minute read

November 12, 2024 | National Law Journal

Will the 9th Circuit Still be Center Stage in Trump Policy Challenges?

Lawyers challenging Trump’s second-term policies might eye the First Circuit, in addition to the Ninth, said University of Pittsburgh law professor Arthur Hellman.

By Avalon Zoppo

6 minute read

November 11, 2024 | National Law Journal

Biden Squeezes in U.S. District Court Nominee for New York Before Term Ends

The president also renominates district court judge in Guam.

By Avalon Zoppo

2 minute read

November 07, 2024 | National Law Journal

11th Circuit Revives Project Veritas' Defamation Lawsuit Against CNN

"Veritas committed one infraction—it violated a policy regarding the publishing of private information, but CNN falsely accused it of violating a completely different policy—spreading misinformation," the appeals court stated. "This distinction is not an inconsequential detail."

By Avalon Zoppo

4 minute read

November 07, 2024 | National Law Journal

'Rapidly Closing Window': Progressive Groups Urge Senate Votes on Biden's Judicial Nominees

"We have always been adamant that the Senate must confirm all of President Biden's nominees and fill every possible vacancy, regardless of who wins the election," said Jake Faleschini, of Alliance for Justice.

By Avalon Zoppo | Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman

5 minute read

November 06, 2024 | National Law Journal

Where May Vacancies for Trump Arise? These GOP-Appointed Circuit Judges Qualify for Senior Status

Recent research supports the idea that ideology plays a role in judges' "strategically retiring," meaning leaving the bench when the party of the president who appointed them controls the White House.

By Avalon Zoppo

6 minute read

November 05, 2024 | National Law Journal

End of an (Chevron) Era: DC Circuit Tackles Challenge to Fishing Monitor Rule, Again

Judges said the court could turn to the statute's legislative history and other avenues to uphold the regulation even with Chevron deference gone.

By Avalon Zoppo

4 minute read


More from ALM

More from ALM

Legal Speak is a weekly podcast that makes sense of what’s happening in the legal industry.