September 19: Malcolm W. Prinzing v. Grace Stabell Schwab, 06-237. Lower court opinion: 2006 Minn. Unpub. LEXIS 222 (Minn. Ct. App. 2006). This is a defamation case brought by a state senator against an individual who posted signs making accusations against her. Jury awarded her $150,000. The issue involves the “actual malice” requirement for defamation recovery by public figures.

September 20: Stoneridge Investment Partners, LLC v. Scientific-Atlanta, Inc., et al., 06-43. Lower court opinion: 443 F. 3d 987 (8th Cir. 2006). Question is whether, pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act, liability under Section 10(b) of the implementing regulations is limited to those who actually issue a false or misleading statement.

September 21: Information Systems and Networks Corporation v. United States, 06-234. Lower court opinion: 437 F. 3rd 1178 (Fed. Cir. 2006). This involves a dispute over whether certain state income tax payments were allowable costs in a cost-reimbursement contract between the United States and the petitioner. (Be still, my beating heart!)

So, three more petitioners have been, at least momentarily, saved from the oblivion of First Monday’s denial list. I assume the court is done with response requests for now. However,
I am not going to drape my office in crepe until the list is actually down.

Incidentally, I tried to use Google Earth to get a look at the discuss list, but it wouldn’t zoom in close enough.

http://www.supremecourtus.gov/orders/courtorders/092705pzr.pdf

They granted cert. in 10 cases (not counting consolidated cases). The First Monday orders list had some summary dispositions, but no cert. grants for full briefing and argument.

http://www.supremecourtus.gov/orders/courtorders/100305pzor.pdf

I was under the impression that the conference starting September 25 was to last the better part of a week, and that rulings on certiorari would be handed down on October 2.

The post states that based on past practice the orders list granting cases from the September 25 conference will be released on September 26. But last year the conference started on September 26 and the orders came down on October 3. Did I (horrors!) miss a post, or is there something somebody forgot to tell us? I did see the post about the possibility of early grants.

I did find it odd when I tried the Court’s automated information line about a week ago and was told an update might be available after September 25. However, I just tried it again, and was told “An update may be available October 2, 2006 after 10:15 AM.”

If they are going to cover the whole discuss list in one day, that brings to mind the old joke (Woody Allen?): “I took one of those speedreading courses. I read War and Peace in twenty minutes. It’s about Russia.”