The Ninth Circuit’s May 7, 2026 civil opinion by Judge McKeown appears to be a useful procedural decision for litigators focused on preserving issues for appeal and understanding the scope of appellate review. Although the docket entry does not itself provide the full factual background, the opinion is notable because the court addresses core appellate principles that frequently determine whether a party can obtain relief at all.

At a high level, the court reaffirmed that appellate review is constrained by the record developed below, the arguments actually presented to the district court, and the applicable standard of review.