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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)
11/16/2015Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due December 17, 2015)
11/16/2015Application (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.
11/18/2015Application (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.
11/19/2015Response to application (15A522) requested by Justice Thomas. (Due Monday, November 30, 2015, by 4 p.m. EST.)
11/19/2015Response to application (15A532) requested by Justice Thomas. (Due Monday, November 30, 2015, by 4 p.m. EST.)
11/25/2015Consent to filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for petitioner
11/30/2015Response to application (15A522) from respondent E. L. filed. VIDED.
11/30/2015Response to application (15A532) from respondent E.L. filed. VIDED.
12/01/2015Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for respondent E.L.
12/01/2015Reply of applicant Tobie J. Smith, Guardian ad Litem, as representative of three minor children filed.
12/01/2015Reply of applicant V. L. filed.
12/02/2015Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from respondent Tobie Smith, Guardian ad Litem.
12/04/2015Order extending time to file response to petition to and including December 29, 2015.
12/11/2015Brief of respondent Tobie J. Smith, Guardian Ad Litem in support filed.
12/14/2015Application (15A522) referred to the Court.
12/14/2015Application (15A532) referred to the Court.
12/14/2015Application (15A522) granted by the Court. The applications for recall and stay of the Supreme Court of Alabama
12/14/2015Application (15A532) granted by the Court. The applications for recall and stay of the Supreme Court of Alabama
12/15/2015Letter 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.
12/16/2015Brief amici curiae of Conflict of Laws Professors filed.
12/17/2015Brief amici curiae of Donaldson Adoption Institute, et al. filed.
12/17/2015Brief amicus curiae of Constitutional Accountability Center filed.
12/17/2015Brief amici curiae of Thirty-Two Family Law Professors filed.
12/17/2015Brief amici curiae of American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, et al. filed.
12/17/2015Brief amici curiae of Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, et al. filed.
12/17/2015Brief amici curiae of Family Equality Council, et al. filed.
12/21/2015Brief of respondents E. L. in opposition filed.
12/29/2015Reply of petitioner V. L. filed.
12/30/2015DISTRIBUTED for Conference of January 15, 2016.
01/19/2016DISTRIBUTED for Conference of January 22, 2016.
01/27/2016Record Requested .
02/05/2016Record received from the Supreme Court of Alabama and the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals. The records are SEALED.
02/08/2016DISTRIBUTED for Conference of February 19, 2016.
02/29/2016DISTRIBUTED for Conference of March 4, 2016.
03/07/2016Petition GRANTED. Judgment REVERSED and case REMANDED. Opinion per curiam. (Detached Opinion)
04/08/2016MANDATE ISSUED
04/08/2016JUDGMENT ISSUED