Americold Realty Trust v. ConAgra Foods, Inc.

Docket No.	Op. Below	Argument	Opinion	Vote	Author	Term
14-1382	10th Cir.	Jan 19, 2016 Tr.Aud.	Mar 7, 2016	8-0	Sotomayor	OT 2015

Holding: For purposes of diversity jurisdiction, citizenship of an unincorporated entity depends on the citizenship of all of its members. Because, under Maryland law, a real estate investment trust is held and managed for the benefit of its shareholders, Americold’s members include its shareholders.

Judgment: Affirmed, 8-0, in an opinion by Justice Sotomayor on March 7, 2016.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

Opinion analysis: Justices choose bright-line rule limiting diversity jurisdiction over business trusts (Ronald Mann)
Argument analysis: Justices appear to be leaning toward bright-line rule limiting diversity jurisdiction over artificial entities (Ronald Mann)
Argument preview: Court to consider when a trust is a “citizen” for purposes of diversity jurisdiction (Ronald Mann)

Date	Proceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
May 15 2015	Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due June 22, 2015)
Jun 22 2015	Waiver of right of respondent ConAgra Foods, Inc., et al. to respond filed.
Jul 8 2015	DISTRIBUTED for Conference of September 28, 2015.
Jul 23 2015	Response Requested . (Due August 24, 2015)
Aug 12 2015	Brief of respondents ConAgra Foods, Inc., and Swift-Eckrich, Inc. in opposition filed.
Aug 26 2015	DISTRIBUTED for Conference of September 28, 2015.
Oct 1 2015	Petition GRANTED.
Oct 16 2015	Letter from counsel for the respondents advising Clerk of position on the merits.
Nov 13 2015	The time to file the joint appendix and petitioners' brief on the merits is extended to and including November 23, 2015.
Nov 23 2015	Joint appendix filed. (Statement of costs filed)
Nov 23 2015	Brief of petitioners Americold Logistics, LLC, et al. filed.
Nov 23 2015	Joint motion to dismiss Americold Logistics, LLC as a dispensable party filed.
Nov 24 2015	SET FOR ARGUMENT on Tuesday, January 19,2016
Nov 30 2015	Motion DISTRIBUTED for Conference of December 4, 2015.
Nov 30 2015	Brief amicus curiae of Winston Wen-Young Wong filed.
Nov 30 2015	Brief amicus curiae of National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts filed.
Dec 4 2015	Motion to dismiss Americold Logistics, LLC as a dispensable party GRANTED.
Dec 4 2015	Record requested from U.S.C.A. 10th Circuit.
Dec 8 2015	Record received from the U.S.C.A. 10th Circuit is located on PACER, with the exception of the pleadings enclosed in one box.
Dec 15 2015	CIRCULATED.
Dec 23 2015	Brief of respondents ConAgra Foods, Inc., and Swift-Eckrich, Inc. filed. (Distributed)
Jan 12 2016	Reply of petitioner Americold Realty Trust filed. (Distributed)
Jan 19 2016	Argued. For petitioner: Michael D. Pospisil, Kansas City, Mo. For respondents: John M. Duggan, Overland Park, Kan.
Mar 7 2016	Adjudged to be AFFIRMED. Sotomayor, J., delivered the opinion for a unanimous Court.
Apr 8 2016	JUDGMENT ISSUED

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Cases argued	43
Cases decided	9
Summary reversals	2
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Americold Realty Trust v. ConAgra Foods, Inc.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

Featured Posts

Challengers urge justices to dismiss census case after district court ruling – Amy Howe

Reargument analysis: Justices seek a “middle position” in takings litigation case – Miriam Seifter

Argument analysis: Justices have strong views about removal of class actions – Ronald Mann

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