How William Howard Taft transformed from a portly president to a svelte chief justice
As summer comes to a close, I thought SCOTUSblog readers might appreciate a brief escape from the day’s dreary headlines to something a bit different:…
A brief guide to each chief justice of the United States
As of last Friday, SCOTUStoday (our weekday newsletter — subscribe here!) finished providing brief biographies of each chief justice of the United States, starting with John Jay and ending with…
Republican legislators urge justices to leave Virginia Supreme Court’s redistricting ruling in place
Lawyers for a group of Republican legislators (along with an election official and two registered voters) urged the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday afternoon to leave in place a ruling…
When (if ever) it’s appropriate to make jokes, take selfies, or curse before the court
During last month in Mullin v. Doe, attorney Geoffrey Pipoly said something I won’t repeat to my kids. The remark came when Pipoly, who represents Haitian nationals challenging the Trump…
Court rules freight brokers can face negligent hiring suits under state law
A unanimous Supreme Court on Thursday in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II that federal law does not shield freight brokers from state lawsuits claiming they negligently hired dangerous motor carriers.…
Justice Clarence Thomas reflects on shared values and his “deeper” friendships on a past court
Justice Clarence Thomas on Thursday afternoon spoke on the issue of shared national values. In an appearance at a conference outside Miami for judges and lawyers from the U.S. Court…
Court denies Virginia’s request to reinstate congressional map that would benefit Democrats
The Supreme Court on Friday evening turned down a request by Virginia’s attorney general and other Virginia Democrats to allow the state to use a new congressional map, which would…
Justices validate authority of federal courts to confirm arbitration awards – at least in cases already in federal court
Yesterday’s in Jules v. Andre Balazs Properties firmly validated the authority of federal courts to enforce arbitration awards made in cases already pending in federal court. The case is important…
Strange judicial bedfellows
In Dissent is a recurring series by Anastasia Boden on Supreme Court dissents that have shaped (or reshaped) our country. Read more Court agrees to hear case on ability of…
Court agrees to hear case on ability of employees to bring certain suits for sex discrimination, turns down child pornography reporting suit against X
The Supreme Court on Monday morning added one new case to its docket for the 2026-27 term. The justices will hear arguments sometime in the fall on whether employees can…
Rethinking a Supreme Court principle used to undermine the Voting Rights Act
Courtly Observations is a recurring series by Erwin Chemerinsky that focuses on what the Supreme Court’s decisions will mean for the law, for lawyers and lower courts, and for people’s…