Case Explained: ELLIS V. BISIGNANO

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Filed: 2026-08-11 Docket: 3:24-cv-05212-SKV The ninth-circuit affirmed the district court’s order upholding the Administrative Law Judge’s denial of Social Security disability benefits to Stephanie Ellis. The court held that substantial evidence supported the ALJ’s findings regarding the claimant’s residual functional capacity and step-five determination, noting that the ALJ provided clear and convincing reasons for its conclusions. In applying this standard, the court cited *Stiffler v. O’Malley* and *Smartt v. Kijakazi*, explaining that the review focuses on whether the ALJ’s rationale is sufficient to convince a reasonable mind rather than whether the appellate court would have reached the same conclusion. The opinion specifically validated the ALJ’s consideration of inconsistent daily activities, marijuana usage testimony, and objective medical evidence that undercut the claimant’s subjective complaints, as well as the rejection of physician opinions deemed brief, conclusory, or inadequately supported. Additionally, the court ruled that Ellis forfeited issues not raised in the district court and exercised discretion to decline addressing her law-of-the-case argument even if an exception applied. The practical consequence is that the denial of benefits stands and no further administrative review or relief is granted on these grounds. Do It For The Case Law is a news reporting service. Nothing in this episode constitutes legal advice.