Astrue v. Ratliff
Docket No. | Op. Below | Argument | Opinion | Vote | Author | Term |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
08-1322 | 8th Cir. |
Feb 22, 2010 Tr. |
Jun 14, 2010 | 9-0 | Thomas | OT 2009 |
Holding: When an individual sues the federal government and recovers attorney’s fees, the government can recoup some of those fees when the plaintiff owes the government money.
Judgment: Reversed and remanded, 9-0, in an opinion by Justice Clarence Thomas on June 14, 2010. Justice Sotomayor filed a concurrence, joined by Justices Stevens and Ginsburg.
SCOTUSblog Coverage
- Roadblock to collecting court awarded attorney’s fees (Sheila McCorkle - Guest)
- Who Should Receive Attorney’s Fees? (Matt Sundquist)
- Should attorney’s fees be awarded to attorneys or their client? (Matt Sundquist)
Briefs and Documents
Merits Briefs
- Brief for Petitioner Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security
- Brief for Respondent Catherine Ratliff
- Reply Brief for Petitioner Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security