Supreme Court’s Double-Jeopardy Decision Bolsters Politically Motivated State Prosecutors

The Supreme Court’s 7-2 decision in Gamble v. United States, No. 17-646 (June 17, 2019), reaffirming the “dual-sovereignty doctrine”—under which “a State may prosecute a defendant under state law even if the Federal Government has prosecuted him for the same conduct under a federal statute,” slip op. at 1—is a goldmine for politically motivated state […]

Supreme Court’s Double-Jeopardy Decision Bolsters Politically Motivated State Prosecutors Read More »

Justices Kavanaugh & Gorsuch Again Display Superb Judicial Writing On Opposite Sides of Same Case

I’ve previously written about Justice Kavanaugh’s and Justice Gorsuch’s brilliant legal writing styles. For example, in Newest Justices’ Dueling Opinions Sparkle (For The Defense, June 2019), I describe how they squared off last March, writing the majority and dissenting opinions, respectively, in Air & Liquid Systems Corp. v. Devries, No. 17-1104 (6-3 decision rejecting the

Justices Kavanaugh & Gorsuch Again Display Superb Judicial Writing On Opposite Sides of Same Case Read More »

Newest Justices’ Dueling Opinions Sparkle

Note: A version of this March 2019 blog was published by DRI-The Voice of the Defense Bar in For The Defense (June 2019) under the title “Newest Justices Dueling Opinions Sparkle.” The Supreme Court’s two newest members—Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch—are brilliant legal writers. Their first Supreme Court opinions reflected the superb drafting skills

Newest Justices’ Dueling Opinions Sparkle Read More »

You Too Can Be a Supreme Court Practitioner

DRI Panel: What Does It Take To Develop and Conduct a U.S. Supreme Court Practice? Two Supreme Court practitioners, a nationally renown legal marketing & brand strategy expert, and a highly experienced Supreme Court printer, will answer this question in detail during the “You Too Can Be a Supreme Court Practitioner” panel at the DRI

You Too Can Be a Supreme Court Practitioner Read More »

Justice Thomas Challenges Congress To Learn How To Say What It Means

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is known for his staunchly conservative views. He is not whom you might expect to cast a deciding vote that favors class-action plaintiffs. But that is exactly what he did on May 28 in Home Depot U.S.A., Inc. v. Jackson, No. 17-1471. In fact, Justice Thomas authored the Court’s 5-4

Justice Thomas Challenges Congress To Learn How To Say What It Means Read More »

Supreme Court Delivers Another Qui Tam Setback to Government Contractors

On May 13, the Supreme Court issued yet another opinion that facilitates, if not encourages, the filing of False Claims Act qui tam suits against federal government contractors, health care providers, and other recipients of federal payments or funds. In a unanimous opinion authored by Justice Clarence Thomas, the Court held in Cochise Consultancy, Inc.,

Supreme Court Delivers Another Qui Tam Setback to Government Contractors Read More »

It’s Time for the Supreme Court To Stop Fueling False Claims Whistle-Blower Suits

The federal False Claims Act continues to lure prospective “qui tam relators” (i.e., whistle blowers ), and their attorneys, with a gleaming pot of gold. To reach the end of the rainbow, a qui tam relator must file, on behalf of the United States, a suit alleging that a government contractor, Medicare/Medicaid provider, or other

It’s Time for the Supreme Court To Stop Fueling False Claims Whistle-Blower Suits Read More »

Law360 Op-Ed on “the Supreme Court Bar” Attracts Wide Readership

Thank you Law 360 subscribers for making my op-ed, A Broader View of the US Supreme Court Bar, that publication’s second-most-read expert analysis during the week of April 22. Law 360 subscribers can access the op-ed here, and anyone can download a copy by clicking above. Earlier in April, I had posted the op-ed on

Law360 Op-Ed on “the Supreme Court Bar” Attracts Wide Readership Read More »

DRI-The Voice of the Defense Bar in the U.S. Supreme Court

Under the leadership and with the guidance of Executive Director John Kouris, DRI continues to be the voice of the civil defense bar in the Supreme Court of the United States. Congratulations to Matt Nelson and Zach Chaffee-McClure on becoming Chair and Vice of DRI’s Amicus Committee, which reviews the steady stream of requests that

DRI-The Voice of the Defense Bar in the U.S. Supreme Court Read More »

Redefining “the Supreme Court Bar”

Groucho Marx famously said “I don’t want to belong to any club that would accept me as a member.” Unlike Groucho’s club, the Supreme Court Bar is a “club” in which a multitude of talented appellate lawyers throughout the United States—not just an elite handful of marquee players—can be, should be, and in fact are,

Redefining “the Supreme Court Bar” Read More »

Scroll to Top