In a recent ruling, the full Fourth Circuit has declined to revisit a decision of a split panel displaying their support for a Virginia federal court order. This particular court order determined that an Atlantan hotel and real estate developer must pay $48 million to an engineering firm for using the same name. This occurred while the developer’s case for a rehearing en banc was refused.
The developer’s petition argued for an en banc hearing of the case, which would involve all judges of the bench (rather than just the few making up the panel) considering the specifics of the case. Despite their request, the court denied this petition, thus backing the original decision by the Virginia federal court.
It is significant to note that the court order discovered that both the mentioned Atlanta developer and the engineering firm had been using the same name, leading to the substantial compensation awarded to the rival party. However, following this recent ruling from the Fourth Circuit, the hotel and real estate developer continues to be beheld to this multi-million-dollar penalty.
For more details on this legal case, refer to the original examination by Law360.