June Medical Services LLC v. Russo
Consolidated with Russo v. June Medical Services LLC (18-1460)
Holding
Louisiana's Unsafe Abortion Protection Act, requiring doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital, is unconstitutional.
Judgment
Reversed, 5-4, in an opinion by Stephen G. Breyer on Jun 29, 2020. Justice Breyer announced the judgment of the court and delivered an opinion, in which Justices Ginsburg, Sotomayor and Kagan joined. Chief Justice Roberts filed an opinion concurring in the judgment. Justice Thomas filed a dissenting opinion. Justice Alito filed a dissenting opinion, in which Justice Gorsuch joined, Justice Thomas joined except as to Parts III–C and IV–F and Justice Kavanaugh joined as to Parts I, II and III. Justice Gorsuch filed a dissenting opinion. Justice Kavanaugh filed a dissenting opinion.
Jan 28, 2019Application (18A774) for a stay pending the filing and disposition of a petition for a writ of certiorari, submitted to Justice Alito.
Jan 29, 2019Response to application (18A774) requested by Justice Alito, due Thursday, January 31, 2019, by 3:00 p.m. ET.
Jan 31, 2019Response to application from respondent Rebekah Gee, Secretary, Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals
filed.Feb 1, 2019Reply of applicants June Medical Services, L.L.C., et al.
filed.Feb 1, 2019Because the filings regarding the application for a stay in this matter were not completed until earlier today and the Justices need time to review these filings, the issuance of the mandate of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, case No. 17-30397, is administratively stayed through Thursday, February 7, 2019. This order does not reflect any view regarding the merits of the petition for a writ of certiorari that applicants represent they will file.
Feb 7, 2019Application (18A774) referred to the Court.
Feb 7, 2019Application (18A774) granted by the Court. The application for a stay presented to JUSTICE ALITO and by him referred to the Court is granted, and the mandate of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in case No. 17-30397 is stayed pending the timely filing and disposition of a petition for a writ of certiorari. Should the petition for a writ of certiorari be denied, this stay shall terminate automatically. In the event the petition for a writ of certiorari is granted, the stay shall terminate upon the sending down of the judgment of this Court.
JUSTICE THOMAS, JUSTICE ALITO, JUSTICE GORSUCH, and JUSTICE KAVANAUGH would deny the application. JUSTICE KAVANAUGH, dissenting from grant of application for stay. (Detached Opinion)
Apr 17, 2019Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due May 20, 2019)
Apr 30, 2019Motion to extend the time to file a response from May 20, 2019 to July 19, 2019, submitted to The Clerk.
May 3, 2019Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including July 19, 2019.
May 20, 2019Brief amici curiae of Former Federal Judges and Department of Justice Officials filed.
May 20, 2019Brief amici curiae of American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, et al. filed.
Jun 21, 2019Brief amicus curiae of Senator Josh Hawley in support of respondent filed. VIDED.
Jun 24, 2019Amicus brief of 2,556 Operation Outcry Women Injured By Abortion and The Justice Foundation not accepted for filing. (June 27, 2019)
Jul 19, 2019Brief of respondent Rebekah Gee, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals in opposition filed.
Sep 6, 2019Reply of petitioners June Medical Services L.L.C., et al. filed.
Sep 11, 2019DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 10/1/2019.
Oct 4, 2019Petition GRANTED. The petition for a writ of certiorari in No. 18-1460 is granted. The cases are consolidated and a total of one hour is allotted for oral argument.
Oct 4, 2019Because the Court has consolidated these cases for briefing and oral argument, future filings and activity in the cases will now be reflected on the docket of No. 18-1323. Subsequent filings in these cases must therefore be submitted through the electronic filing system in No. 18-1323. Each document submitted in connection with one or more of these cases must include on its cover the case number and caption for each case in which the filing is intended to be submitted. Where a filing is submitted in fewer than all of the cases, the docket entry will reflect the case number(s) in which the filing is submitted; a document filed in all of the consolidated cases will be noted as “VIDED.”
Oct 15, 2019Joint motion for an extension of time to file the briefs on the merits filed. VIDED.
Oct 22, 2019Upon consideration of the joint motion for an extension of time to file the briefs on the merits, petitioners in No. 18-1323 shall file an opening brief limited to the questions presented in its petition on or before Monday, November 25, 2019. The brief is to bear a light blue cover and is limited to 13,000 words. Respondent in No. 18-1323 shall file a consolidated opening brief on the questions presented in both cases on or before Thursday, December 26, 2019. The brief is to bear a light red cover and is limited to 21,500 words. Petitioners in No. 18-1323 shall file consolidated opening brief and reply on or before Friday, January 17, 2020. The brief is to bear a yellow cover and is limited to 14,500 words. Respondent in No. 18-1323 shall file with the Clerk and serve upon counsel a reply brief, limited to the questions presented in its petition, on or before 2 p.m., Tuesday, February 18, 2020. The brief is to bear a tan cover and is limited to 6,000 words. Amicus curiae briefs in support of petitioners in No. 18-1323 on all or any of the questions presented, or in support of neither party, are to be filed on or before Monday, December 2, 2019. Amicus curiae briefs in support of respondent in No. 18-1323 are to be filed on or before Thursday, January 2, 2020. An amicus curiae shall file only a single brief in these cases. VIDED.
Oct 24, 2019Blanket Consent filed by Petitioner, June Medical Services L.L.C., et al. VIDED
Nov 6, 2019Motion for leave to file the joint appendix pursuant to Rule 33.2 filed by petitioners June Medical Services L.L.C., et al. VIDED.
Nov 6, 2019Addendum to motion to file the joint appendix pursuant to Rule 33.2 (for leave to file one volume under seal) filed. (November 13, 2019). VIDED.
Nov 8, 2019Blanket Consent filed by Respondent, Rebekah Gee. VIDED
Nov 18, 2019Motion for leave to file the joint appendix pursuant to Rule 33.2 with one volume under seal GRANTED.
Nov 25, 2019Brief of petitioners June Medical Services L.L.C., et al. filed (in 18-1323).
Nov 25, 2019Joint appendix filed (7 volumes & 1 sealed volume). VIDED.
Nov 26, 2019SET FOR ARGUMENT on Wednesday, March 4, 2020. VIDED.
Dec 2, 2019Amicus brief of National Health Law Program, et al. not accepted for filing. (Corrected electronic version submitted).
Dec 2, 2019Brief amici curiae of National Health Law Program, et al. filed. (December 3, 2019). VIDED.
Dec 2, 2019Brief amicus curiae of Constitutional Accountability Center filed (in 18-1323).
Dec 2, 2019Amicus brief of Organizations And Individuals Dedicated To The Fight For Reproductive Justice – Women With A Vision et al. not accepted for filing. (December 04, 2019 -- Corrected brief to be submitted)
Dec 2, 2019Brief amici curiae of Organizations And Individuals Dedicated To The Fight For Reproductive Justice – Women With A Vision et al. filed. (December 5, 2019). VIDED.
Dec 2, 2019Brief amici curiae of Federal Courts Scholars filed. VIDED.
Dec 2, 2019Brief amici curiae of Former Federal Judges and Department of Justice Officials filed. VIDED.
Dec 2, 2019Amicus brief of LGBTQ Organizations not accepted for filing. (Corrected electronic version to be submitted - December 3, 2019).
Dec 2, 2019Brief amici curiae of LGBTQ Organizations filed (in 18-1323). (December 3, 2019). VIDED.
Dec 2, 2019Brief amicus curiae of American Bar Association filed.
Dec 2, 2019Brief amici curiae of Ibis Reproductive Health and Other Organizations filed (in 18-1323).
Dec 2, 2019Brief amici curiae of American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, et al. filed. VIDED.
Dec 2, 2019Brief amici curiae of National Women's Law Center and 72 Additional Organizations Committed to Equality and Economic Opportunity for Women filed. VIDED.
Dec 2, 2019Brief amici curiae of Reproductive Justice Scholars filed. VIDED.
Dec 2, 2019Brief amici curiae of Social Science Researchers filed. VIDED.
Dec 2, 2019Brief amici curiae of 197 Members of Congress filed. VIDED.
Dec 2, 2019Brief amici curiae of Holly Alvarado, et al. filed. VIDED.
Dec 2, 2019Brief amici curiae of The American Civil Liberties Union and The ACLU of Louisiana filed (in 18-1323).
Dec 2, 2019Brief amici curiae of Constitutional Law Scholars filed (in 18-1323).
Dec 2, 2019Brief amicus curiae of Information Society Project at Yale Law School filed (in 18-1323).
Dec 2, 2019Brief amici curiae of Whole Woman's Health and Whole Woman's Health Alliance filed (in 18-1460).
Dec 2, 2019Brief amici curiae of Tort Law Scholars filed. VIDED.
Dec 2, 2019Brief amici curiae of If/When/How: Lawyering For Reproductive Justice, et al. filed. VIDED.
Dec 2, 2019Brief amici curiae of Michele Coleman Mayes, Claudia Hammerman, et al. filed. VIDED.
Dec 2, 2019Brief amici curiae of States of New York, et al filed. VIDED.
Dec 2, 2019Brief amici curiae of Catholics for Choice, et al. filed. VIDED.
Dec 2, 2019Brief amici curiae of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, et al. filed. VIDED.
Dec 2, 2019Brief amici curiae of Feminist Majority Foundation, et al. filed. VIDED.
Dec 2, 2019Brief amici curiae of Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, et al. filed. VIDED.
Dec 2, 2019Brief amici curiae of Medical Staff Professionals filed. VIDED.
Dec 16, 2019Lodging proposal of amici curiae Social Science Researchers filed. VIDED. (Distributed)Dec 19, 2019Brief amicus curiae of Foundation for Moral Law filed. VIDED.
Dec 26, 2019Consolidated opening brief of Rebekah Gee, Secretary, Louisiana Dept. of Health and Hospitals filed. VIDED.
Dec 26, 2019Brief amicus curiae of State of Idaho filed. VIDED.
Dec 26, 2019Request to lodge pursuant to Rule 32.3 of Rebekah Gee not accepted for filing. (January 09, 2020).
Dec 26, 2019Motion to supplement the record and to file certain documents under seal filed by Rebekah Gee, Secretary, Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. VIDED.
Dec 27, 2019Brief amicus curiae of Legal Center for Defense of Life filed.
Dec 27, 2019Brief amicus curiae of Thomas More Society filed. VIDED.
Dec 27, 2019Brief amicus curiae of Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, Inc. filed. VIDED.
Dec 27, 2019Brief amici curiae of Priests for Life and Rachel's Vineyard filed. VIDED.
Dec 27, 2019Brief amicus curiae of Eagle Forum Education & Legal Defense Fund filed. VIDED.
Dec 27, 2019Brief amici curiae of Louisiana Family Forum, et al. filed. VIDED.
Dec 27, 2019Brief amici curiae of Concerned Women for America & Charlotte Lozier Institute filed (in 18-1460).
Dec 27, 2019Brief amicus curiae of Senator Josh Hawley filed. VIDED.
Dec 27, 2019Brief amicus curiae of American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists filed. VIDED.
Dec 30, 2019Brief amici curiae of US Conference of Catholic Bishops, et al. filed. VIDED.
Dec 30, 2019Brief amicus curiae of State of Texas filed. VIDED.
Dec 30, 2019Brief amicus curiae of Attorney Mary J. Browning filed. VIDED.
Dec 30, 2019Brief amicus curiae of Family Research Council filed. VIDED.
Dec 30, 2019Brief amici curiae of National Right to Life Committee, et al. filed (in 18-1323).
Dec 30, 2019Brief amici curiae of Inner Life Fund and The Institute for Faith and Family filed. VIDED.
Dec 30, 2019Brief amici curiae of 2,624 Women Injured By Abortion, Operation Outcry, and The Justice Foundation filed. VIDED.
Dec 30, 2019Brief amici curiae of Melinda Thybault, Founder of The Moral Outcry Petition, Individually and Acting on Behalf of 264,500 Signers of The Moral Outcry Petition filed. VIDED.
Dec 31, 2019Brief amici curiae of Christian Legal Society, et al. filed. VIDED.
Dec 31, 2019Brief amicus curiae of African American Prolife Organizations filed. VIDED.
Jan 2, 2020Amicus brief of Illinois Right to Life not accepted for filing. (To be reprinted - January 03, 2020)
Jan 2, 2020Brief amicus curiae of Illinois Right to Life filed. (January 8, 2020). VIDED.
Jan 2, 2020Brief amicus curiae of United States filed. VIDEDJan 2, 2020Amicus brief of International Conference of Evangelical Chaplain Endorsers not accepted for filing. (January 28, 2020). (Corrected version submitted)
Jan 2, 2020Brief amicus curiae of International Conference of Evangelical Chaplain Endorsers filed (in 18-1323). (Distributed)
Jan 2, 2020Brief amici curiae of States of Arkansas, Indiana, et al filed. VIDED.
Jan 2, 2020Brief amici curiae of Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod filed. VIDED.
Jan 2, 2020Brief amici curiae of 207 Members of Congress filed. VIDED.
Jan 2, 2020Brief amicus curiae of CatholicVote.org Education Fund filed (in 18-1323).
Jan 2, 2020Brief amicus curiae of The Susan B. Anthony List filed. VIDED.
Jan 2, 2020Brief amicus curiae of Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence filed. VIDED.
Jan 2, 2020Brief amici curiae of Operation Rescue and The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference filed. VIDED.
Jan 2, 2020Brief amicus curiae of Independence Law Center filed. VIDED.
Jan 2, 2020Brief amici curiae of Pro-Life Legal Defense Fund, et al. filed. VIDED.
Jan 2, 2020Brief amicus curiae of Right to Life of Michigan filed. VIDED.
Jan 2, 2020Brief amicus curiae of Americans United for Life filed. VIDED.
Jan 2, 2020Brief amici curiae of Abby Johnson and Terry Beatley filed. VIDED.
Jan 2, 2020Brief amici curiae of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, et al. filed (in 18-1323).
Jan 2, 2020Brief amicus curiae of Judicial Watch, Inc. filed (in 18-1460).
Jan 2, 2020Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument filed. VIDED.Jan 2, 2020Brief amici curiae of American Center for Law & Justice, et al. filed. VIDED.
Jan 2, 2020Brief amici curiae of National Institute of Family and Life Advocates, et al. filed. VIDED.Jan 2, 2020Brief amici curiae of Former Abortion Providers; The National Association of Catholic Nurses, USA; and the Association of Catholic Bioethics Center filed (in 18-1323). (Distributed)
Jan 2, 2020Brief amicus curiae of Louisiana State Legislators filed. VIDED. (Distributed)
Jan 2, 2020Brief amici curiae of Samaritan's Purse, et al. filed.
Jan 6, 2020Response to motion to enlarge the record from petitioners June Medical Services L.L.C., et al. filed. VIDED.
Jan 9, 2020Record requested from the U.S.C.A. 5th Circuit.
Jan 10, 2020The record from the U.S.C.A. 5th Circuit is electronic and located on PACER.
Jan 13, 2020Motion to supplement the record and to file certain documents under seal DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/17/2020.
Jan 16, 2020Joint motion for an extension of time to file briefs on the merits filed. VIDED.
Jan 16, 2020Joint motion to extend the time to file briefs on the merits granted. The time to file the consolidated opening brief and reply of petitioners in 18-1323 is extended to and including Friday, January 24, 2020. The reply brief of respondents in 18-1323 shall be filed pursuant to Rule 25.3. VIDED.
Jan 16, 2020The record from the U.S.D.C. Middle District of Louisiana is electronic and located on PACER, with the exception of SEALED material that's electronic.
Jan 17, 2020Motion of Rebekah Gee, Secretary, Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, to supplement the record and to file certain documents under seal DENIED. VIDED.
Jan 21, 2020Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument GRANTED. VIDED.
Jan 21, 2020CIRCULATED
Jan 21, 2020Consolidated opening brief (No. 18-1460) and reply (No. 18-1323) of June Medical Services L.L.C., et al. filed. VIDED. (Distributed)
Feb 4, 2020Motion for leave to file amicus brief out of time filed by Foundation for Life (in 18-1323).
Feb 6, 2020Letter from counsel for respondent/cross-petitioner notifying the Clerk of substitution of party filed. VIDED.
Feb 13, 2020Record received from the U.S.D.C. Middle District of Louisiana, the Record on Appeals is electronically filed.
Feb 20, 2020Reply of respondent Stephen Russo filed. VIDED. (Distributed)
Feb 24, 2020Motion for leave to file amicus brief out of time filed by Foundation for Life DENIED.
Mar 4, 2020Argued. For June Medical Services L.L.C., et al.: Julie Rikelman, New York, N. Y. For Stephen Russo, Interim Secretary, Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals: Elizabeth Murrill, Solicitor General, Baton Rouge, La.; and Jeffrey B. Wall, Principal Deputy Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. (for United States, as amicus curiae.) VIDED.
Jun 29, 2020Judgment REVERSED. Breyer, J., announced the judgment of the Court and delivered an opinion, in which Ginsburg, Sotomayor, and Kagan, JJ., joined. Roberts, C. J., filed an opinion concurring in the judgment. Thomas, J., filed a dissenting opinion. Alito, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Gorsuch, J., joined, in which Thomas, J., joined except as to Parts III–C and IV–F, and in which Kavanaugh, J., joined as to Parts I, II, and III. Gorsuch, J., and Kavanaugh, J., filed dissenting opinions. VIDED.
Jul 31, 2020JUDGMENT ISSUED.
Recommended Citation: June Medical Services LLC v. Russo, SCOTUSblog, https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/june-medical-services-llc-v-russo/