Supreme Court2015-2016 Term

by Robert B. Fitzpatrick

Robert Brian Fitzpatrick is the principal in the boutique law firm of Robert B. Fitzpatrick PLLC in Washington, D.C., which represents clients in employment law matters in the federal and state courts of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Mr. Fitzpatrick has concentrated his practice in employment law disputes for over forty years. He has been a member of the D.C. Bar since 1968. He is the father of three, and grandfather of three.

Robert B. Fitzpatrick

2

Decided Cases

Cite136 S. Ct. 1769

Appealed From760 F.3d 1135 (10th Cir. 2014)

Author & Split◦ Sotomayor, J.◦ 7-1◦ Thomas, J., dissenting

Green v. BrennanConstructive Discharge Statute of Limitations

Cite136 S. Ct. 1642 (2016)

Appealed From774 F.3d 1169 (8th Cir. 2014)

Author & Split◦ Kennedy, J.◦ 8-0

CRST Van Expedited, Inc. v. EEOC

Attorneys’ Fees Award to Defendant-Employer

Cite136 S. Ct. 1412 (2016)

Appealed From777 F.3d 147 (3d Cir. 2015)

Author & Split◦ Breyer, J.◦ 6-2◦ Thomas, J., dissenting joined by

Alito, J.

Heffernan v. City of PatersonFirst Amendment – Improper Motive/Factual Mistake

Cite136 S. Ct. 663 (2016)

Appealed From768 F.3d 871 (9th Cir. 2014)

Author & Split◦ Ginsburg, J.◦ 6-3◦ Roberts, C.J., dissenting

joined by Scalia, J. and Alito, J.

Campbell-Ewald Co. v. GomezMootness – Unaccepted Rule 68 Offer – Derivative

Immunity

Cite136 S. Ct. 1036 (2016)

Appealed From765 F.3d 781 (8th Cir. 2014)

Author & Split◦ Kennedy, J.◦ 6-2◦ Thomas, J., dissenting joined by

Alito, J. ◦ Roberts, C.J. concurring in which

Alito, J. joined as to Part III.

Tyson Foods, Inc. v. BouaphakeoClass Action – Representative Evidence

Cite195 L. Ed. 2d 511 (2016)

Appealed From758 F.3d 633 (5th Cir. 2014)

Author & Split◦ Kennedy, J.◦ 4-3◦ Dissents:

Thomas, J. Alito, J. joined by

Thomas, J., andRoberts, C.J.

Fisher v. Univ. of Texas at AustinAffirmative Action – Fisher II

Cite136 S. Ct. 1540 (2016)

Appealed From742 F.3d 409 (9th Cir. 2014)

Author & Split◦ Alito, J.◦ 6-2◦ Ginsburg, J., dissenting

joined by Sotomayor, J.

Spokeo, Inc. v. RobinsArticle III Standing – Concrete Harm

Cite136 S. Ct. 758 (2016)

Appealed From788 F.3d 916 (9th Cir. 2015)

Author & Split◦ Per Curiam◦ 9-0

Amgen Inc. v. HarrisPlausibility – Prudent Fiduciary

Cite136 S. Ct. 463 (2015)

Appealed From225 Cal. App. 4th 338 (Cal. App. 2d Dist. 2014)

Author & Split◦ Breyer, J.◦ 6-3◦ Thomas, J., dissenting.◦ Ginsburg, J., dissenting joined by

Sotomayor, J.

DIRECTV, Inc. v. ImburgiaClass Arbitration Waiver

Cite195 L. Ed. 2d 400 (2016)

Appealed From357 P.3d 532 (2015)

Author & Split◦ Thomas, J.◦ 5-3◦ Sotomayor, J., dissenting joined by

Ginsburg, J. as to Parts I, II, and III.◦ Kagan, J., dissenting joined by Ginsburg,

J.

Utah v. StrieffSotomayor Dissents

Cite136 S. Ct. 936 (2016)

Appealed From746 F.3d 497 (2d Cir. 2014)

Author & Split◦ Kennedy, J.◦ 6-2◦ Thomas, J., concurring ◦ Breyer, J., concurring.◦ Ginsburg, J., dissenting joined by

Sotomayor, J.

Gobeille v. Liberty Mutual Ins. Co.

ERISA preempts state law requiring health insurers to report to state database

Cite136 S. Ct. 651 (2016)

Appealed From593 Fed. Appx. 903 (11th Cir. 2014)

Author & Split◦ Thomas, J.◦ 8-1◦ Ginsburg, J., dissenting.

Montanile v. Bd. of Trustees of the Nat’l Elevator Indus. Health Benefit Plan

ERISA – Plan fiduciary may not attach participant’s assets separate from a third-party settlement

Cite136 S. Ct. 1557 (2016)

Appealed From◦ 778 F.3d 422 (3d Cir. 2015)◦ 794 F.3d 1151 (10th cir. 2015)◦ 793 F.3d 449 (5th Cir. 2015)◦ 772 F.3d 229 (D.C. Cir. 2014)

Author & Split◦ Per Curiam◦ Sotomayor, J. joined by Ginsburg, J.,

concurring

Zubik v. BurwellCompromise on whether ACA Mandate Violates RFRA

Cite136 S. Ct. 1737 (2016)

Appealed From525 S.E.2d 78 (Ga. 2000)

Author & Split◦ Roberts, C.J.◦ 7-1◦ Thomas, J. dissenting.

Foster v. ChatmanBatson Case – Evidence re: prosecutor’s strikes of potential African-American jurors

Cite136 S. Ct. 1989 (2016)

Appealed From780 F.3d 504 (1st Cir. 2015)

Author & Split◦ Thomas, J.◦ 8-0

Universal Health Servs., Inc. v. United States ex. rel. Escobar

FCA – Implied Certification

Cite136 S. Ct. 1979 (2016)

Appealed From605 Fed. Appx. 48 (2d Cir. 2015)

Author & Split◦ Kagan, J.◦ 8-0

Kirtsaeng v. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Copyright Act – Attorneys’ Fees

Cite195 L. Ed. 2d 423 (June 20, 2016)

Appealed From793 F.3d 1268 (Fed. Cir. 2015)

Author & Split◦ Breyer, J.◦ 8-0 (as to Parts I and III◦ 6-2 (as to Part II)◦ Thomas, J., concurring◦ Alito, J., concurring in part and

dissenting in part, joined by Sotomayor, J.

Cuozzo Speed Techs, LLC v. LeeRulemaking

Cite195 L. Ed. 2d 456 (June 20, 2016)

Appealed From754 F.3d 217 (4th Cir. 2014)

Author & Split◦ Alito, J.◦ 7-1◦ Thomas, J., dissenting

Taylor v. United StatesHobbs Act – Interstate Commerce

Requirement – Drug Robbery

Cite◦ 195 L. Ed. 2d 665 (June 27, 2016)

Appealed From◦ 790 F.3d 563 (5th Cir. 2015) and◦ 790 F.3d 598 (5th Cir. 2015) (order

modifying earlier opinion)

Author & Split◦ Breyer, J.◦ 5-3◦ Sotomayor, J. and Kagan, J. joined by

Ginsburg, J., concurring◦ Thomas, J., dissenting◦ Alito, J., dissenting joined by Roberts, C.J.

and Thomas, J.

Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt

Abortion – Undue Burden/Substantial Obstacle

Cite◦ 136 S. Ct. 1083 (2016)◦ Reh’g denied 84 U.S.L.W. 3704

(June 28, 2016)

Appealed FromNo. 13-57095, 2014 U.S. App. LEXIS 24935 (9th Cir. Nov. 18, 2014)

Author & Split◦ Per Curiam◦ 4-4 (affirmed)

Friedrichs v. Cal. Teachers Assoc.

Union Dues – Abood Not Overruled

Cite136 S. Ct. 2159 (2016)

Appealed From746 F.3d 167 (5th Cir. 2014)

Author & Split◦ Per Curiam◦ 4-4

Dollar General Corp. v. Miss. Band of Choctaw Indians

Tribal Courts – Power to Adjudicate Civil Torts Involving Non-Native Americans

Cite◦ 136 S. Ct. 2271 (2016)◦ Petition for reh’g pending

Appealed From809 F.3d 134 (5th Cir. 2015)

Author & Split◦ Per Curiam◦ 4-4

United States v. TexasState Standing – Immigration Executive Order – Take

Care Clause

CiteMotion to file bill of complaint denied 136 S. Ct. 1034 (March 21, 2016)

Appealed FromN/A

Author & Split◦ 7-1◦ Thomas, J., dissenting

Nebraska & Oklahoma v. Colorado

Original Jurisdiction – Marijuana Legalization

Cite136 S. Ct. 1539 (2016)

Appealed From601 Fed. Appx. 461 (9th Cir. 2014)

Author & Split◦ Dismissed without decision

pursuant to Rule 46

MHN Gov’t Servs., Inc. v. Zaborowski

California’s Arbitration-Only Severability Rule Preempted by FAA

CERTIORARI GRANTED

Cite◦ Cert. Granted 84 U.S.L.W. 3703

(June 28, 2016)◦ http://www.scotusblog.com/cas

e-files/cases/fry-v-napoleon-community-schools/

Appealed From788 F.3d 622 (6th Cir. 2015)

Author & Split◦ TBD

Fry v. Napolean Community Schs., No. 15-497

IDEA – Exhaustion Requirement

Cite◦ Cert Granted 84 U.S.L.W. 4010

(June 20, 2016)◦ http

://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/national-labor-relations-board-v-sw-general-inc/

Appealed From796 F.3d 67 (D.C. Cir. 2015)

Author & Split◦ TBD

NLRB v. SW General, Inc.Role/Rights of “Acting” Appointees

CiteCert Granted 136 S. Ct. 2386 (2016)http://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/state-farm-fire-and-casualty-co-v-united-states/

Appealed From794 F.3d 457 (5th Cir. 2015)

Author & Split◦ TBD

State Farm Fire & Cas. Co. v. United States ex rel. Rigsby

FCA Sealing Requirement

Cite◦ Cert Granted 84 U.S.L.W. 3548

(June 28, 2016)◦ http://www.scotusblog.com/cas

e-files/cases/lynch-v-morales-santana/

Appealed From804 F.3d 521 (2d Cir. 2015)

Author & Split◦ TBD

Lynch v. Morales-SantanaCitizenship

Cite◦ Cert Granted 84 U.S.L.W. 3703

(June 28, 2016)◦ http://www.scotusblog.com/cas

e-files/cases/ivy-v-morath/

Appealed From781 F.3d 250 (5th Cir. 2015)

Author & Split◦ TBD

Ivy v. MorathReasonable Accommodations

Cite◦ Cert Granted 84 U.S.L.W. 3703

(June 28, 2016)◦ http://www.scotusblog.com/case-fi

les/cases/czyzewski-v-jevic-holding-corporation/

Appealed From787 F.3d 173 (3d Cir. 2015)

Author & Split◦ TBD

Czyzewski v. Jevic Holding Corp.Bankruptcy Court & Settlement Proceeds

Cite◦ Cert Granted 84 U.S.L.W. 4273

(June 28, 2016)◦ http://www.scotusblog.com/cas

e-files/cases/visa-inc-v-osborn/

Appealed From797 F.3d 1057 (D.C. Cir. 2015)

Author & Split◦ TBD

Visa, Inc. v. Osborn; Visa, Inc. v. Stoumbos

Sherman Act Conspiracy

Cite◦ Cert Granted 84 U.S.L.W. 3703

(June 28, 2016)◦ http://www.scotusblog.com/case-fi

les/cases/lightfoot-v-cendant-mortgage-corporation/

Appealed From769 F.3d 681 (9th Cir.2014)

Author & Split◦ TBD

Lightfoot v. Cendant Mrtg. Corp.Subject Matter Jurisdiction

Cite◦ Cert Granted 84 U.S.L.W. 3704

(June 28, 2016)2◦ http://www.scotusblog.com/case-

files/cases/wells-fargo-co-v-city-of-miami/

Appealed From◦ 801 F.3d 1258 (11th Cir. 2015)◦ 800 F.ed 1262 (11th Cir. 2015)

Author & Split◦ TBD

Wells Fargo & Co. v. City of Miami; Bank of Am. Corp. v. City of Miami

Fair Housing Act Zone of Interest

Cite◦ Cert Granted 136 S. Ct. 2409

(2016)◦ http://

www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/-v-stephens/

Appealed From623 Fed. Appx. 668 (5th Cir. 2015)

Author & Split◦ TBD

Buck v. StephensDeath Penalty

Cite◦ Cert Granted 136 S. Ct. 2407

(2016)◦ http://www.scotusblog.com/case-

files/cases/moore-v-texas/

Appealed From470 S.W.3d 481 (Tex. Crim. App. 2015)

Author & Split◦ TBD

Moore v. TexasDeath Penalty – Intellectual Disability

Petitions for Writ of Certiorari Denied

Cite◦ Cert Denied 136 S. Ct. 536 (Nov.

30, 2015)◦ http

://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/paske-v-fitzgerald/

Appealed From785 F.3d 977 (5th Cir. 2015)

Author & Split◦ N/A

Paske v. FitzgeraldSummary Judgment/Comparators

Cite◦ Cert Denied 84 U.S.L.W. 3702

(June 27, 2016)◦ http://www.scotusblog.com/cas

e-files/cases/home-care-assn-of-america-v-weil/

Appealed From799 F.3d 1084 (D.C. Cir. 2015)

Author & Split◦ N/A

Home Care Ass’n of Am. V. WeilHome Care Workers - FLSA

Cite◦ Cert Denied 84 U.S.L.W. 4262 (June

28, 2016)◦ http://www.scotusblog.com/case-files

/cases/stormans-inc-v-wiesman/

Appealed From794 F.3d 1064 (9th Cir. 2015)

Author & Split◦ Alito, J., dissenting, joined

by Roberts, C.J., and Thomas,J.

Stormans, Inc. v. WiesmanFree Exercise Clause – Pharmacists decline to sell birth

control pills and emergency contraception on grounds that they are “abortifacients”

Cite◦ Cert Denied 136 S. Ct. 1607

(2016)◦ http

://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/united-student-aid-funds-inc-v-bible/

Appealed From799 F.3d 633 (7th Cir. 2015)

Author & Split◦ Thomas, J, dissenting.

United Student Aid Funds, Inc. v. Bible

Auer Deference

Cite◦ Cert Denied 84 U.S.L.W. 3702

(June 27, 2016)◦ http://www.scotusblog.com/cas

e-files/cases/att-inc-v-united-states/

Appealed From791 F.3d 112 (D.C. Cir. 2015)

Author & Split◦ N/A

AT&T, Inc. v. U.S. ex rel. HeathFCA - Particularity Under 9(b)

Pending Petitions for Certiorari

Cite◦ Petition for Cert Pending◦ http://www.scotusblog.com/c

ase-files/cases/the-bank-of-new-york-mellon-v-american-fidelity-assurance-co/

Appealed From810 F.3d 1234 (10th Cir. 2016)

Author & Split◦ TBD

Bank of New York Mellon v. Am. Fidelity Assurance Co.

Personal Jurisdiction

Cite◦ Petition for Cert Pending◦ Solicitor General invited to file

brief 136 S. Ct. 2405 (2016)◦ http://www.scotusblog.com/case-fi

les/cases/endrew-f-v-douglas-county-school-district/

Appealed From798 F.3d 1329 (10th Cir. 2015)

Author & Split◦ TBD

Endrew F. v. Douglas Cnty. Sch. Dist. R.E.-1

IDEA – IEP Education Requirement

Cite◦ Petition for Cert Pending◦ http

://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/schulman-v-lexisnexis-risk-and-information-analytics-group-inc/

Appealed From807 F.3d 600 (4th Cir. 2015)

Author & Split◦ TBD

Schulman v. LexisNexis Risk & Information Analytics Grp., Inc.

Class Actions and Due Process

Cite◦ Petition for Cert Pending◦ http://www.scotusblog.com/

case-files/cases/geico-general-insurance-co-v-calderon/

Appealed From754 F.3d 201 (4th Cir. 2014)

Author & Split◦ TBD

Geico Gen’l Ins. Co. v. CalderonFLSA Exemptions – Insurance Fraud

Investigators

Cite◦ Petition for Cert Pending◦ http://www.scotusblog.com/

case-files/cases/mclane-co-v-eeoc/

Appealed From804 F.3d 1051 (9th Cir. 2015)

Author & Split◦ TBD

McLane Co., Inc. v. EEOCEEOC Subpoenas