McLaughlin Chiropractic Associates, Inc. v. McKesson Corporation
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 Brett Kavanaugh on Jun 20, 2025. Justice Kagan filed a dissenting opinion, joined by Justices Sotomayor and Jackson.
Mar 8, 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.
Mar 13, 2024Application (23A839) granted by Justice Kagan extending the time to file until May 17, 2024.
May 17, 2024Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due June 20, 2024)May 23, 2024Waiver of right of respondent McKesson Corporation, et al. to respond filed.May 28, 2024DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 6/13/2024.
Jun 5, 2024Response Requested. (Due July 5, 2024)
Jun 18, 2024Motion to extend the time to file a response from July 5, 2024 to August 5, 2024, submitted to The Clerk.Jun 21, 2024Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including August 5, 2024.
Aug 5, 2024Brief of respondents McKesson Corporation, et al. in opposition filed.Aug 21, 2024DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 9/30/2024.
Aug 21, 2024Reply of petitioner McLaughlin Chiropractic Associates, Inc. filed. (Distributed)Oct 4, 2024Petition GRANTED.
Oct 31, 2024SET FOR ARGUMENT on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.
Nov 13, 2024Record requested from the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Nov 13, 2024Motion to dispense with printing the joint appendix filed by petitioner McLaughlin Chiropractic Associates, Inc.Nov 13, 2024Record received from the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The record is electronic and is available on PACER.
Nov 18, 2024Brief of petitioner McLaughlin Chiropractic Associates, Inc. filed.Nov 25, 2024Motion to dispense with printing the joint appendix filed by petitioner GRANTED.
Nov 25, 2024Brief amici curiae of The Local Government Legal Center filed (reprinted booklets received Dec. 17, 2024). (Distributed)Nov 25, 2024Brief amicus curiae of Public Citizen filed. (Distributed)Dec 3, 2024CIRCULATED
Dec 18, 2024Brief of respondents McKesson Corporation, et al. filed. (Distributed)Dec 23, 2024Brief amicus curiae of United States filed. (Distributed)Dec 23, 2024Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument filed.Dec 26, 2024Brief amici curiae of CTIA—The Wireless Association, et al. filed. (Distributed)Jan 8, 2025Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument GRANTED.
Jan 10, 2025Reply of petitioner McLaughlin Chiropractic Associates, Inc. filed. (Distributed)Jan 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.)
Jun 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.
Jul 22, 2025Judgment Issued.Recommended Citation: McLaughlin Chiropractic Associates, Inc. v. McKesson Corporation, SCOTUSblog, https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/mclaughlin-chiropractic-associates-inc-v-mckesson-corporation/