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V.L. v. E.L.

Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
15-648 Ala. Not Argued Mar 7, 2016 n/a Per Curiam OT 2015

Holding: The Alabama Supreme Court erred in refusing to grant full faith and credit to a judgment by a Georgia court making a woman the legal parent of the children she had raised with her same-sex partner since birth; the judgment appears on its face to have been issued by a court with jurisdiction and there is no established Georgia law to the contrary.

Judgment: Reversed and remanded in a per curiam opinion on March 7, 2016.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

DateProceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
Nov 16 2015Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due December 17, 2015)
Nov 16 2015Application (15A522) to recall and stay mandate pending the disposition of the petition for a writ of certiorari filed by petitioner V.L., submitted to Justice Thomas.
Nov 18 2015Application (15A532) to recall and stay mandate pending the disposition of the petition for a writ of certiorari filed by respondent Tobie J. Smith, Guardian ad Litem, submitted to Justice Thomas.
Nov 19 2015Response to application (15A522) requested by Justice Thomas. (Due Monday, November 30, 2015, by 4 p.m. EST.)
Nov 19 2015Response to application (15A532) requested by Justice Thomas. (Due Monday, November 30, 2015, by 4 p.m. EST.)
Nov 25 2015Consent to filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for petitioner
Nov 30 2015Response to application (15A522) from respondent E. L. filed. VIDED.
Nov 30 2015Response to application (15A532) from respondent E.L. filed. VIDED.
Dec 1 2015Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for respondent E.L.
Dec 1 2015Reply of applicant Tobie J. Smith, Guardian ad Litem, as representative of three minor children filed.
Dec 1 2015Reply of applicant V. L. filed.
Dec 2 2015Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from respondent Tobie Smith, Guardian ad Litem.
Dec 4 2015Order extending time to file response to petition to and including December 29, 2015.
Dec 11 2015Brief of respondent Tobie J. Smith, Guardian Ad Litem in support filed.
Dec 14 2015Application (15A522) referred to the Court.
Dec 14 2015Application (15A532) referred to the Court.
Dec 14 2015Application (15A522) granted by the Court. The applications for recall and stay of the Supreme Court of Alabama’s Certificate of Judgment, in case No. 1140595, presented to Justice Thomas and by him referred to the Court, are granted pending the disposition of the petition for a writ of certiorari. Should the petition for a writ of certiorari be denied, this stay shall terminate automatically. In the event the petition for a writ of certiorari is granted, the stay shall terminate upon the issuance of the mandate of this Court.
Dec 14 2015Application (15A532) granted by the Court. The applications for recall and stay of the Supreme Court of Alabama’s Certificate of Judgment, in case No. 1140595, presented to Justice Thomas and by him referred to the Court, are granted pending the disposition of the petition for a writ of certiorari. Should the petition for a writ of certiorari be denied, this stay shall terminate automatically. In the event the petition for a writ of certiorari is granted, the stay shall terminate upon the issuance of the mandate of this Court.
Dec 15 2015Letter dated December 15, 2015 received from counsel for petitioner waiving 14-day waiting period for the filing of a reply brief pursuant to Rule 15.5.
Dec 16 2015Brief amici curiae of Conflict of Laws Professors filed.
Dec 17 2015Brief amici curiae of Donaldson Adoption Institute, et al. filed.
Dec 17 2015Brief amicus curiae of Constitutional Accountability Center filed.
Dec 17 2015Brief amici curiae of Thirty-Two Family Law Professors filed.
Dec 17 2015Brief amici curiae of American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, et al. filed.
Dec 17 2015Brief amici curiae of Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, et al. filed.
Dec 17 2015Brief amici curiae of Family Equality Council, et al. filed.
Dec 21 2015Brief of respondents E. L. in opposition filed.
Dec 29 2015Reply of petitioner V. L. filed.
Dec 30 2015DISTRIBUTED for Conference of January 15, 2016.
Jan 19 2016DISTRIBUTED for Conference of January 22, 2016.
Jan 27 2016Record Requested .
Feb 5 2016Record received from the Supreme Court of Alabama and the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals. The records are SEALED.
Feb 8 2016DISTRIBUTED for Conference of February 19, 2016.
Feb 29 2016DISTRIBUTED for Conference of March 4, 2016.
Mar 7 2016Petition GRANTED. Judgment REVERSED and case REMANDED. Opinion per curiam. (Detached Opinion)
Apr 8 2016MANDATE ISSUED
Apr 8 2016JUDGMENT ISSUED