July 2015

The Ninth Circuit struck down a challenge to the constitutionality of the Jones Act or Merchant Marine Act of 1920.  The case was Novak v. United States and the opinion can be found here.

The litigated component of the Jones Act (rest easy merchant mariners, you didn't lose your worker compensation causes of action)

The Ninth Circuit rejected a challenge to California's Shark Fin Law, Cal. Fish & Game Code § 2021(b) which makes it "unlawful for any person to possess, sell, offer for sale, trade, or distribute a shark fin" in the state.  The case is Chinatown Neighborhood Ass'n v. Harris and the opinion can be found here