Carpenter v. Twin City Fire — 5th Cir. (Aug 3, 2026)
The Fifth Circuit considers whether an employment-practices liability policy covers a judgment stemming from an employer's broken promise to pay Jeffrey Carpenter a stay bonus. The district court found coverage. Steve Knight of Chamberlain Hrdlicka will argue for insurer Twin City that the policy excludes the award as bonus or severance pay. Amy Gibson of Gibson Wiley will argue for Carpenter that it is covered back pay and was not triggered by termination.
Carpenter v. Twin City Fire (No. 25-10679) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, argued August 3, 2026.
Sources
Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105):https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/OralArgRecordings/25/25-10679_8-3-2026.mp3
Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit:https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/oral-argument-recordings?docket=25-10679
Argument calendar — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit:https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/court-calendars/sitting?d=2026-08-03
Appellate docket — Justia:https://dockets.justia.com/docket/circuit-courts/ca5/25-10679
District court coverage order — U.S. District Court via Justia:https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/texas/txndce/3%3A2023cv00769/375353/67/
District court docket — Justia:https://dockets.justia.com/docket/texas/txndce/3%3A2023cv00769/375353
Federal and Fifth Circuit appellate rules — Fifth Circuit:https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/docs/default-source/forms-and-documents---clerks-office/rules/federalrulesofappellateprocedure.pdf
Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 28 — Cornell LII:https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frap/rule_28
Steve Knight biography — Chamberlain Hrdlicka:https://www.chamberlainlaw.com/attorneys-steven_knight.html
Amy Gibson biography — Chambers:https://chambers.com/lawyer/amy-gibson-usa-5%3A26162299
- 0:00Introduction
- 5:34Rule 28(j) letter