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McLaughlin Chiropractic Associates, Inc. v. McKesson Corporation

Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
23-1226 9th Cir. Jan 21, 2025 Jun 20, 2025 6-3 Kavanaugh OT 2024

Holding: The Hobbs Act does not bind district courts in civil enforcement proceedings to an agency’s interpretation of a statute. District courts must independently determine the law’s meaning under ordinary principles of statutory interpretation while affording appropriate respect to the agency’s interpretation.

Judgment: Reversed and remanded, 6-3, in an opinion by Justice Kavanaugh on June 20, 2025. Justice Kagan filed a dissenting opinion, joined by Justices Sotomayor and Jackson.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

DateProceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
03/08/2024Application (23A839) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from March 19, 2024 to May 17, 2024, submitted to Justice Kagan.
03/13/2024Application (23A839) granted by Justice Kagan extending the time to file until May 17, 2024.
05/17/2024Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due June 20, 2024)
05/23/2024Waiver of right of respondent McKesson Corporation, et al. to respond filed.
05/28/2024DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 6/13/2024.
06/05/2024Response Requested. (Due July 5, 2024)
06/18/2024Motion to extend the time to file a response from July 5, 2024 to August 5, 2024, submitted to The Clerk.
06/21/2024Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including August 5, 2024.
08/05/2024Brief of respondents McKesson Corporation, et al. in opposition filed.
08/21/2024DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 9/30/2024.
08/21/2024Reply of petitioner McLaughlin Chiropractic Associates, Inc. filed. (Distributed)
10/04/2024Petition GRANTED.
10/31/2024SET FOR ARGUMENT on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.
11/13/2024Record requested from the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
11/13/2024Motion to dispense with printing the joint appendix filed by petitioner McLaughlin Chiropractic Associates, Inc.
11/13/2024Record received from the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The record is electronic and is available on PACER.
11/18/2024Brief of petitioner McLaughlin Chiropractic Associates, Inc. filed.
11/25/2024Motion to dispense with printing the joint appendix filed by petitioner GRANTED.
11/25/2024Brief amici curiae of The Local Government Legal Center filed (reprinted booklets received Dec. 17, 2024). (Distributed)
11/25/2024Brief amicus curiae of Public Citizen filed. (Distributed)
12/03/2024CIRCULATED
12/18/2024Brief of respondents McKesson Corporation, et al. filed. (Distributed)
12/23/2024Brief amicus curiae of United States filed. (Distributed)
12/23/2024Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument filed.
12/26/2024Brief amici curiae of CTIA—The Wireless Association, et al. filed. (Distributed)
01/08/2025Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument GRANTED.
01/10/2025Reply of petitioner McLaughlin Chiropractic Associates, Inc. filed. (Distributed)
01/21/2025Argued. For petitioner: Matthew W.H. Wessler, Washington, D. C. For respondents: Joseph R. Palmore, Washington, D. C.; and Matthew Guarnieri, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. (for United States, as amicus curiae.)
06/20/2025Judgment REVERSED and case REMANDED. Kavanaugh, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which, Roberts, C. J., and Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, and Barrett, JJ., joined. Kagan, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Sotomayor and Jackson, JJ., joined.