Fifth Circuit Overturns $124.5 Million Judgment Over Judge-Lawyer Friendship
The appeals court found the judge did not fully disclose a friendship with a lawyer in the case.
3 reports on this incident · first at Sep 9, 2026, 8:14 a.m. ET
Earlier reports
Sep 9, 2026, 8:23 a.m. ET
Fifth Circuit Overturns $124.5 Million Judgment Over Judge-Lawyer Friendship
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has overturned a $124.5 million judgment in a civil case, according to a report by JD Journal. The court found that the trial judge did not fully disclose their friendship with a lawyer involved in the case.
The judgment, which had been awarded in the amount of $124,531,652, was reversed in an opinion issued under reference No. 24-30552. The respondents in the case are the Port of Lake Charles and IFG Port Holdings LLC.
The appellate court's decision means the monetary award is no longer in effect. The underlying case was a civil matter that had reached the adjudicated liable stage before the appeal.
Sep 9, 2026, 8:14 a.m. ETFirst report
Fifth Circuit Overturns $124.5 Million Judgment Over Judge-Lawyer Friendship
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has overturned a $124,531,652 judgment, according to a report by JD Journal. The court found that the judge in the underlying civil case did not fully disclose their friendship with a lawyer involved in the matter.
The ruling, identified as No. 24-30552, vacates the judgment that had been entered against the Port of Lake Charles and IFG Port Holdings LLC. The appellate court's opinion did not address the merits of the underlying claims but focused on the disclosure issue.
The case remains open as it develops; further proceedings may follow.
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Revision history
- Version 19 Sept 2026, 12:53current
First published.
- Version 19 Sept 2026, 12:14current
First published.
- Version 19 Sept 2026, 12:23current
First published.
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