Case Explained: LINDSEY HOWELL v. UPGRADE, INC

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit Filed: 2026-06-29 The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court’s order dismissing all of Howell’s claims except for a breach of contract claim remanded to state court. The court held that appellate review of the magistrate judge’s recommendation was foreclosed because, although Howell filed timely objections, they failed to specifically address the particularized legal recommendations made by the magistrate judge. Under Fourth Circuit precedent, including *Martin v. Duffy* and *Thomas v. Arn*, specific objections are required to preserve issues for appeal when parties have been warned of the consequences of noncompliance; because Howell’s objections did not reasonably alert the district court to the true grounds for his objection, he waived appellate review of the substance of the recommendation. Consequently, the judgment is affirmed without oral argument, and all pending motions, including a motion to take judicial notice, are denied. Do It For The Case Law is a news reporting service. Nothing in this episode constitutes legal advice.