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U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Special Sitting at USD School of Law

FREE (reservations required)

Overview | Judges | Docket | Security Protocol | Courtroom Attire | RSVP

Proceedings Overview

A three-judge panel will hear appeals of decisions from the U.S. District Courts for the Central District of California and Southern Nevada. After the hearing, the judges will stay to answer general questions from students and audience members.

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Judges

• Hon. M. Margaret McKeown, United States Circuit Judge
• Hon. Milan D. Smith, United States Circuit Judge
• Hon. Rudi M. Brewster, United States District Judge, sitting by designation

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Docket

Oyeniran v. Holder – Daniel O. Oyeniran (aka Daniel Olu Abraham and Daniel Segun Oyeniran), a native and citizen of Nigeria, petitions for review of two decisions of the Board of Immigration Appeals: one dismissing his appeal of an immigration judge's denial of his application for deferral of removal under the Convention Against Torture; and another denying his motion to reopen and reconsider. Oyeniran asserted past persecution and a fear of future persecution on account of his father's position as an Archbishop and prominent Christian leader who is opposed to Islam. Oyeniran was previously granted CAT relief which was terminated after his attempted re-entry into the United States without proper travel documents.

Briefs

• Petitioner’s Appeal Brief (PDF)
• Pro-Bono Brief for Petitioner (PDF)
• Reply Brief (PDF)
• Brief for Respondent (PDF)

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Monge v. Maya Magazines, Inc. – Noelia Lorenzo Monge and Jorge Reynoso appeal the district court's summary judgment in their action under the Copyright Act against Maya Magazines, Inc., and Maya Publishing Group LLC, which published photographs of Monge and Reynoso's wedding in "TVNotas," a celebrity gossip magazine.

Briefs

• Appellants’ Opening Brief (PDF)
• Appellees’ Answering Brief (PDF)
• Appellants’ Reply Brief (PDF)

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Solomon v. Cutler – Jack Solomon appeals (10-15969) the district court’s judgment, following a bench trial, in favor of Judy Goffman Cutler in a diversity action, concerning a dispute over who lawfully owns the Norman Rockwell painting “Russian Schoolroom.” The painting was stolen from Solomon in St. Louis in 1973. Cutler, an art dealer, purchased the painting at auction in 1988, and sold the painting to Steven Spielberg in 1989. In 2006, Spielberg discovered the painting was stolen and informed the FBI, and Solomon sued for declaratory relief, replevin, quiet title, and conversion. Spielberg filed a counterclaim against Solomon and a third-party claim against Cutler. Cutler filed a third-party claim against Art Loss Register, Inc., and a counterclaim against Solomon. Solomon responded with his own counterclaims against Cutler. Prior to the bench trial, the district court disposed of some claims on summary judgment. The district court found that Solomon consented to the 1988 auction, which justified Cutler’s ownership claim.

Briefs

• First Brief on Cross Appeal (PDF)
• Second Brief on Cross Appeal (PDF)
• Third Brief on Cross Appeal (PDF)
• Cross Appellee’s Brief (PDF)
• Reply Brief (PDF)

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Security Protocol and Conduct Guidelines

Please arrive early. Doors to the theatre will open by 10:00 a.m.
 • University ID or other photo ID is required.
 • Each person entering must go through security.
 • No cameras, backpacks, purses, bags, laptops, or electronic equipment allowed (except cellphones, which must be turned OFF). There will not be a secured storage area for your belongings, so please make your own arrangements.
 • No books, magazines; legal pad and pen/pencil are okay.
 • Audience members may only enter or exit when the court is not on the bench.
 • Please maintain silence while court is in session.
 • Please note that no food or drink will be allowed inside the theatre.
 • At the end of the final argument, the judges will be available to answer general questions from audience members. While judges are prohibited from answering questions about pending cases, they can discuss Court operations and the decision-making process.

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Courtroom Attire Required

Appropriate attire for counsel would be conservative business dress in traditional dark colors. For law students, suitable attire would be slacks/khakis, modest skirts with long or short-sleeved shirt, blouse, polo/golf shirt.

Please give full attention to the bench as this is an actual court session and is being recorded for the court's use. Out of respect for the court and counsel, please keep movement in and out to a minimum and refrain from any conversations during oral arguments.

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Reservations

There is no charge to attend, but reservations are required. No one will be admitted without a reservation. Please be sure to read the courtroom attire section of this webpage. Make your reservations online.

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