In the recent period, the Third Circuit has published a small number of opinions. Here are summaries of some of those decisions: Mallet and Company Inc. v. Lacayo, 16 F.4th 364 (3d Cir. 2021). This was a trade secret and unfair competition case. The specific subject was “baking release agents,” which are “lubricants that allow baked goods to readily separate from the containers in which they are made,” according to Judge Jordan’s opinion for the panel. Employees of plaintiff left that company to join defendants, allegedly taking with them trade secrets related...

The Third Circuit issued three published opinions in one day earlier this week. Here are summaries: Dondero v. Lower Milford Tp., ___ F.4th ___ (3d Cir. 2021). Plaintiff filed a complaint asserting due process and federal Civil Rights Act claims after defendant eliminated its police department and terminated plaintiff’s employment as Police Chief. Defendant won a summary judgment at the District Court level. Plaintiff appealed, but the Third Circuit, speaking through Judge Hardiman, affirmed the summary judgment. Plaintiff’s main claim was that he was entitled to a...

Butt v. United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America, ___ F.3d ___ (3d Cir. 2021). This opinion by Judge Hardiman involved an attorneys’ fee dispute. In the underlying consolidated discrimination cases, plaintiffs’ original attorney, Ryan Paddick, had a 40% contingency fee agreement with his clients. After winning in the Third Circuit a reversal of a prior summary judgment for the defense and, on remand, taking 24 depositions, briefing nine motions, and undertaking other activities, found himself unable to advance the necessary funds for an expert. With his consent,...