Opinion ID: 182452
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Forfeiture of Claims Three and Four

Text: Turning to the second amended complaint, we first address claims three and four. An appellant who fails to raise arguments or present them adequately in the opening brief on appeal forfeits appellate review. See, e.g., Bronson v. Swensen, 500 F.3d 1099, 1104 (10th Cir. 2007). We recognize, again, that Mr. Matthews is proceeding pro se, but “this court has repeatedly insisted that pro se parties follow the same rules of procedure that govern other litigants.” Garrett v. Selby Connor Maddux & Janer, 425 F.3d 836, 840 (10th Cir. 2005) (brackets and internal quotation marks omitted). “Under [Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure] 28, which applies equally to pro se litigants, a brief must contain more than a generalized assertion of error, with citations to supporting authority. When a pro se litigant fails to comply with that rule, we cannot fill the void by crafting arguments and performing the necessary legal research.” Id. at 841 (ellipsis, citation, brackets and internal quotation marks omitted). Mr. Matthews’s opening brief contains no assertion of error and presents neither argument nor authority relating to claims three and four; in fact, aside from reiterating the allegations 2 Mr. Matthews also asks us to allow him to add a new claim under 18 U.S.C. § 1514A. We deny the request, which was not made below. See Tele-Commc’ns, Inc. v. Comm’r., 104 F.3d 1229, 1233 (10th Cir. 1997) (“[A]n issue must be presented to, considered and decided by the trial court before it can be raised on appeal.” (brackets and internal quotation marks omitted)). -6- from the second amended complaint, Mr. Matthews completely neglects to mention these claims at all. He has thus forfeited appellate review on these claims.