Government

Oral Arguments, with Context

Real court arguments, crisp audio, with context. Court recordings can be difficult to follow, and many suffer from poor audio quality. This podcast enhances the audio, provides a brief introduction to each case, and explains legal concepts that may be unfamiliar to some listeners. We hope these enhancements make oral argument recordings easier to understand, more accessible, and more enjoyable to listen to. Recordings come from the courts’ own public releases; Supreme Court timing is derived locally from the Court’s official transcript and audio.

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Byrd v. Mott MacDonald Group, Inc. — 1st Cir. (Sep 9, 2026) Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

The First Circuit hears Byrd versus Mott MacDonald Group. Kenneth Byrd says his former employer demoted him in retaliation for protected medical leave and also discriminated against him because of age and disability. A federal district court dismissed those claims at the pleading stage. The appeal asks whether the employer's allegedly false explanation makes retaliation plausible, and whether later work and pay decisions were separately pleaded and presented to the state agency as timely discrimination claims. Byrd v. Mott MacDonald Group, Inc. (No. 25-1972) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, argued September 9, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105): https://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/sites/ca1/files/oralargs/25-1972_20260909.mp3 Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit: https://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/doar/results/2026-09 September 2026 argument calendar — U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit: https://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/sites/ca1/files/calendar.pdf?simple=True Order dismissing the amended complaint — U.S. District Court for the District of Maine: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-med-2_23-cv-00431/pdf/USCOURTS-med-2_23-cv-00431-1.pdf Appellate docket — U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (Justia mirror): https://dockets.justia.com/docket/circuit-courts/ca1/25-1972 Danielle Quinlan — White & Quinlan: https://whiteandquinlan.com/who-we-are/ Employment Law Update faculty — Maine State Bar Association: https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.mainebar.org/resource/resmgr/cle/seminar_brochures/employment24-lv.pdf Christina Capo — Jackson Lewis: https://www.jacksonlewis.com/people/christina-capo Christina Capo — Best Lawyers: https://www.bestlawyers.com/lawyers/christina-capo/461868

Mendoza v. DHS — Fed. Cir. (Sep 9, 2026) Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

The Federal Circuit hears Mendoza versus the Department of Homeland Security. DHS removed federal employee Antonio Mendoza after finding that he committed misconduct and breached a last-chance agreement. Last-chance agreements can let an employee avoid immediate removal in exchange for conditions that may include waiving appeal rights. The Merit Systems Protection Board dismissed his appeal based on that waiver. Mendoza asks whether the waiver bars review of whether the alleged misconduct happened and, if not, whether the Board adequately resolved conflicting testimony. Mendoza v. DHS (No. 25-1560) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, argued September 9, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105): https://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/oral-arguments/25-1560_09092026.mp3 Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit: https://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/home/oral-argument/listen-to-oral-arguments/ Argument calendar — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit: https://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/OralArguments/PublicCalendar-September2026.pdf Final order — Merit Systems Protection Board: https://www.mspb.gov/decisions/nonprecedential/Mendoza_AntonioDA-0752-21-0226-I-1_Final_Order.pdf Rodriguez v. Department of the Army — Federal Circuit: https://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/opinions-orders/11-3115.pdf Lizzio v. Department of the Army — Federal Circuit: https://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/opinions-orders/07-3224.pdf Jones v. Defense Logistics Agency — Federal Circuit: https://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/opinions-orders/24-2110.OPINION.6-9-2025_2527323.pdf Ross v. Merit Systems Protection Board — Federal Circuit: https://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/opinions-orders/09-3178.pdf

United States ex rel. Cohen v. Lahey Clinic Hospital, Inc. — 1st Cir. (Sep 9, 2026) Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

The First Circuit hears United States ex rel. Cohen versus Lahey Clinic Hospital. Richard Cohen, a former Lahey patient suing for the United States under the False Claims Act, alleges that Lahey overbilled Medicare for Botox by billing twice for discarded units and using needlessly large vials. The district court dismissed his complaint. The appeal asks whether those allegations plausibly show scienter—actual knowledge, deliberate ignorance, or reckless disregard—rather than billing mistakes. United States ex rel. Cohen v. Lahey Clinic Hospital, Inc. (No. 25-2043) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, argued September 9, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105): https://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/sites/ca1/files/oralargs/25-2043_20260909.mp3 Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit: https://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/doar/results/2026-09 September 2026 argument calendar — U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit: https://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/sites/ca1/files/calendar.pdf?simple=True Memorandum and order — U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts (Justia mirror): https://cases.justia.com/federal/district-courts/massachusetts/madce/1%3A2023cv11684/259737/39/0.pdf 31 U.S.C. § 3729 — U.S. House Office of the Law Revision Counsel: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?edition=2023&num=0&req=granuleid%3AUSC-2023-title31-section3729 31 U.S.C. § 3730 — U.S. House Office of the Law Revision Counsel: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?edition=2023&num=0&req=granuleid%3AUSC-2023-title31-section3730 United States ex rel. Schutte v. SuperValu Inc. — U.S. Supreme Court opinion: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/21-1326_6jfl.pdf Appellate docket — U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (Justia mirror): https://dockets.justia.com/docket/circuit-courts/ca1/25-2043

WiPQTUS, Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. — Fed. Cir. (Sep 9, 2026) Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

The Federal Circuit reviews a Patent Trial and Appeal Board decision finding six claims of WiPQTUS's dual-mode wireless-power patent unpatentable. The device can receive wireless power and transmit power to another device. The main dispute is whether claim 1E requires its circuitry to change impedance while it remains in receiving mode, as WiPQTUS says, or permits the change when the device switches between receiving and transmitting modes, as Samsung says. The judges also ask whether material added through the continuation-in-part application can inform the meaning of claim 1, which WiPQTUS says has an earlier effective filing date. WiPQTUS, Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (No. 25-1596) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, argued September 9, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105): https://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/oral-arguments/25-1596_09092026.mp3 September 2026 argument calendar — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit: https://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/OralArguments/PublicCalendar-September2026.pdf PTAB Final Written Decision, IPR2024-00023, Paper 29 — USPTO record (Ex Parte mirror): https://ai-lab.exparte.com/documents/ptab/ptacts-uspto/1554708/zLxdSgoytkBW5Dkcl90YkfQgOhuqaH9EZVNGL2Qd1sQSp3tNiD9k8Ro/2223276874/IPR2024-00023_doc_30_exparte.pdf U.S. Patent No. 10,038,339 — Google Patents: https://patents.google.com/patent/US10038339B2/en Federal Circuit docket No. 25-1596 — Justia PACER mirror: https://dockets.justia.com/docket/circuit-courts/cafc/25-1596 Brian A. Carpenter profile — Cole Schotz: https://www.coleschotz.com/professionals/brian-a-carpenter/ Trenton A. Ward profile — Greenberg Traurig: https://www.gtlaw.com/en/professionals/w/ward-trenton-a K-40 Electronics v. Escort, IPR2013-00203, Paper 34 — USPTO: https://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/K-40%20Electronics%2C%20LLC%20v.%20Escort%2C%20Inc%2C%20IPR2013-00203%20%28Paper%2034%29.pdf

Rivas v. Carranza — 2d Cir. (Sep 9, 2026) Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

The Second Circuit reviews a special-education plan for a child with severe multiple disabilities. A state review officer approved a twelve-to-one-plus-four class and thirty-minute related-service sessions for the 2019–20 school year. After a federal court upheld that decision, the parent appealed. A later New York Court of Appeals decision requires officials to choose the applicable class-size option that best meets the child's individual needs. The appeal asks whether the officer made that comparison, and whether the shorter sessions were appropriate. Rivas v. Carranza (No. 25-1839) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, argued September 9, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit: https://ww3.ca2.uscourts.gov/audio/25-1839.mp3 Argument date — Second Circuit oral argument search: https://ww3.ca2.uscourts.gov/oral_arguments.html State Review Officer decision 20-138 — New York State Education Department: https://www.sro.nysed.gov/decision/2020/20-138 Cruz v. Banks — New York Court of Appeals: https://www.nycourts.gov/ctapps/Decisions/2026/Feb26/1opn26-Decision.pdf Second Circuit decision applying Cruz: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca2/24-1147/24-1147-2026-04-07.html Appellate docket and counsel — Docket Alarm: https://www.docketalarm.com/cases/US_Court_of_Appeals_Second_Circuit/25-1839/Rivas_v._Carranza/ Rory J. Bellantoni — Liberty & Freedom Legal Group: https://libertyfreedom.law/meet-our-team/rory-bellantoni/ Hanna L. St. Marie appearance — New York State Unified Court System: https://www.nycourts.gov/courts/ad2/Handdowns/2026/Decisions/D81499.pdf

Standing Trees, Inc. v. U.S. Forest Service — 1st Cir. (Sep 9, 2026) Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

The First Circuit considers a challenge to two timber projects in New Hampshire's White Mountain National Forest. Standing Trees appeals a judgment upholding the Forest Service's approvals. It argues that the agency did not show compliance with the forest plan and failed to consider alternatives and the projects' combined effects. The Forest Service disputes those claims and says some were not preserved below. Standing Trees, Inc. v. U.S. Forest Service (No. 25-2086) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, argued September 9, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105): https://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/sites/ca1/files/oralargs/25-2086_20260909.mp3 Recording listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit: https://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/doar/results/2026-09 Argument calendar — U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit: https://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/sites/ca1/files/calendar.pdf?simple=True District court opinion — U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire: https://www.nhd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/Opinions/2024/25NH099.pdf Filed complaint — Standing Trees v. U.S. Forest Service: https://www.vermontlaw.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Standing-Trees-Tarleton-Peabody-West-Complaint-May-16-2024-file-stamped.pdf Christophe Courchesne profile — Vermont Law and Graduate School: https://www.vermontlaw.edu/faculty/courchesne-christophe Argument report — Courthouse News Service: https://www.courthousenews.com/first-circuit-unlikely-to-stop-trump-plan-for-logging-near-appalachian-trail/ Chenery rule — U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit: https://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/sites/ca1/files/opnfiles/04-1145-01A.pdf SEC v. Chenery Corp. — Cornell Legal Information Institute: https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/332/194

Netlist, Inc. v. Micron Technology Texas, LLC — Fed. Cir. (Sep 9, 2026) Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

The Federal Circuit hears Micron's appeal from a patent-infringement judgment awarding Netlist $445 million. A jury found that Micron's memory modules infringed Netlist's '912 and '417 patents. Micron asks the court to reverse, challenging both the infringement evidence and Netlist's damages analysis. Netlist, Inc. v. Micron Technology Texas, LLC (No. 25-1936) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, argued September 9, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105): https://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/oral-arguments/25-1936_09092026.mp3 Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit: https://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/home/oral-argument/listen-to-oral-arguments/ Argument calendar and counsel — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit: https://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/OralArguments/PublicCalendar-September2026.pdf

United States of America v. Marc L. Leonardis — 2d Cir. (Sep 9, 2026) Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

The Second Circuit hears Marc L. Leonardis's challenge to his federal sentence for receiving child pornography. Sentencing Guideline 2G2.2(b)(1) provides a two-level reduction when conduct is limited to receipt or solicitation and the defendant did not intend to traffic in or distribute the material. The dispute is whether Leonardis falls within that rule after using photographs of a minor to obtain child pornography. United States of America v. Marc L. Leonardis (No. 25-2777) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, argued September 9, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit: https://ww3.ca2.uscourts.gov/audio/25-2777.mp3 Argument calendar — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit: https://www.huntcal.com/cal/eventview/USCA2/USCA2?d=9&id=785937793&m=9&vm=r-h-f-l%3Bs%3Dl%3Bob%3D0%3Bobgc%3Dffffff%3Bobs%3D1%3Btw%3D100%25%3Bbg%3Dw&yr=2026 Sentencing record — U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/skaneateles-man-sentenced-more-15-years-child-pornography-convictions Federal court order — Leonardis, N.D.N.Y. No. 5:24-cv-1407: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-nynd-5_24-cv-01407/pdf/USCOURTS-nynd-5_24-cv-01407-0.pdf 2025 Sentencing Guidelines Manual — U.S. Sentencing Commission: https://www.ussc.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/guidelines-manual/2025/GLMFull.pdf Section 2G2.2(b)(1) analysis — United States v. England: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-ca6-21-05273/pdf/USCOURTS-ca6-21-05273-0.pdf

State of Louisiana v. FDA — 5th Cir. (Sep 9, 2026) Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

The Fifth Circuit hears State of Louisiana v. FDA. Louisiana seeks a stay of the FDA's 2023 mifepristone REMS, a drug-safety program that removed in-person dispensing and added pharmacy certification. The district court denied that relief and paused the case for FDA review. The appeal centers on Louisiana's Article III standing and whether the Fifth Circuit may issue a Section 705 stay after the Supreme Court stayed an earlier Fifth Circuit order. State of Louisiana v. FDA (No. 26-30203) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, argued September 9, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105): https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/OralArgRecordings/26/26-30203_09-09-2026.mp3 Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/oral-argument-recordings/results?from=2026-08-01&to=2026-09-09 Fifth Circuit and district-court orders — appendix in Supreme Court docket 25A1208: https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/25/25A1208/407856/20260502171524114_GBP%20FINAL%20Application%20-%20Appendix%2005-02%20rtf.pdf Supreme Court stay docket — No. 25A1208: https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/25A1208.html Mifepristone REMS questions and answers — U.S. Food and Drug Administration: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation 5 U.S.C. § 705 — U.S. House Office of the Law Revision Counsel: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?edition=prelim&num=0&req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title5-section705 21 U.S.C. § 355-1 — U.S. House Office of the Law Revision Counsel: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=%28title%3A21%20section%3A355-1%20edition%3Aprelim%29 FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine — Supreme Court opinion: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-235_n7ip.pdf FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database — FDA: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-approvals-and-databases/fda-adverse-event-reporting-system-faers-database FAERS data limitations — FDA: https://fis.fda.gov/extensions/FPD-FAQ/FPD-FAQ.html Postmarket drug-safety report — U.S. Government Accountability Office: https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-10-68.pdf FAERS interpretation guide — National Library of Medicine: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12393772/

Molina-Diaz v. Blanche — 1st Cir. (Sep 9, 2026) Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

The First Circuit hears Molina-Diaz v. Blanche, a petition for review in an immigration case. Molina-Diaz relies on Rivera-Medrano v. Garland to contend that individualized PTSD evidence changes how the agency should assess inconsistencies behind an adverse-credibility finding. Molina-Diaz v. Blanche (No. 25-2091) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, argued September 9, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105): https://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/sites/ca1/files/oralargs/25-2091_20260909.mp3 Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit: https://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/doar/results/2026-09

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