FedSoc Forums

In 2018, the City of Baltimore filed climate change litigation in state court against multiple energy companies seeking damages from the impact of climate change. The energy companies moved the lawsuit to federal court, arguing it was the proper venue; however, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland disagreed and ruled the case belonged in state court. The Fourth Circuit Court of App...

On January 13, 2021, the Supreme Court will hear oral argument in AMG Capital Management v. FTC, a case that could define the scope of the FTC's remedial authority and explore the limits of textualism. The FTC Act authorizes the Commission to seek a "permanent injunction" in federal court to stop “unfair methods of competition” and “unfair or deceptive acts or practices.” For many years, the FTC a...

On Tuesday, January 12, 2021, the Supreme Court hears oral argument in Uzuegbunam v. Preczewski. The issue the Court will be deciding is whether the government’s post-filing change of an unconstitutional policy moots nominal-damages claims. The case has important implications for litigation involving myriad constitutional rights, and has garnered national attention. Our panel of experts join...

Join us as Director Craig Leen gives an overview of enforcement of civil rights and Equal Employment Opportunity laws at the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) during the Trump Administration. Featuring: -- Craig Leen, Director of Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), U.S. Department of Labor

Under the current administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has adopted a variety of regulations and policies aimed at reforming the nation’s water quality programs, with a focus on cooperative federalism and rule of law principles. Reflecting on EPA’s accomplishments and remaining agenda items, Assistant Administrator Ross will share his perspective on a range of topics, such...

Drug prices are a pressing policy issue. On November 20, 2020, President Donald Trump announced two new rules aimed at reducing drug prices for Medicare beneficiaries. These rules use a system known as reference pricing, which ties the price the federal government pays for patented drugs and treatments to the prices other countries pay. These rules are set to take effect in January 2021. Meanwhile...

A new petition for certiorari at the U.S. Supreme Court presents an invaluable opportunity for the Court to revisit the Privileges or Immunities Clause. And it is unlike any opportunity in recent memory. First, it presents a question upon which every theory of the Fourteenth Amendment agrees: Does the Amendment protect a citizen against rights violations perpetrated by that citizen’s own sta...

In April, 2020, the United States Supreme Court held that, in certain situations, the Clean Water Act requires Section 402 permits for point source discharges that travel through groundwater to reach navigable waters. According to the Court, a permit is required if the discharge is the "functional equivalent of a direct discharge from the point source into navigable waters." This month, the EPA is...

On December 14, 2020, the Supreme Court released its decision in Texas v. New Mexico. By a vote of 7-1, Texas’ motion to review the Pecos River Master’s determination – that New Mexico was entitled to a delivery credit for evaporated water stored at Texas’ request under the Pecos River Compact – is denied. Justice Kavanaugh's majority opinion was joined by the Chief J...

As 2020 draws to a close, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai joins Bryan Tramont, head of the Federalist Society's Telecommunications & Electronic Media Practice Group and Managing Partner at Wilkinson Barker Knauer, in a fireside chat to review Pai's term as Chairman of the FCC, the FCC's significant accomplishments during his tenure, and the most pressing matters facing the Comm...

On December 14, 2020, the Federalist Society hosted an online teleforum with Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, United States Trade Representative. Ambassador Lighthizer discussed judicial activism at the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization. Featuring: -- Hon. Robert Lighthizer, 18th United States Trade Representative -- Moderator: Hon. Dean Reuter, Vice President, General Counsel and Direct...

On December 16, 2020, The Federalist Society's Federalism and Separation of Powers Practice Group hosted a debate on "Court-Packing, Term Limits, and the Debate Over Reforming the Judiciary." The battles over the nominations of Merrick Garland, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett suggest that the Supreme Court is now part of the same politicized cloud that envelops all of the nati...

The United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) free trade agreement went into force in July of 2020. Under that agreement, Mexico committed to a comprehensive reform of its laws governing labor unions and collective bargaining. Mexico's labor laws as they relate to unions have historically been criticized as encouraging employers and established labor unions to enter into agreements to serve as...

On December 10, 2020, the Supreme Court released its decision in United States v. Briggs. Consolidated with United States v. Collins, United States v. Briggs challenged the idea that a rape charge may only be prosecuted if it is discovered within five years of the crime. By a vote of 8-0, the judgments of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces were reversed and the cases remanded. Justice...

On December 10, 2020, the Supreme Court released its decision in Rutledge v. Pharmaceutical Care Management Association. By a vote of 8-0, the judgment of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eight Circuit was reversed and the case remanded. Per Justice Sotomayor's opinion for the Court: "Arkansas' Act 900 regulates the price at which pharmacy benefit managers reimburse pharmacies for the cost of dru...

On December 10, the Supreme Court decided the case of Tanzin v. Tanvir. The 8-0 ruling affirmed the judgement of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, holding that "appropriate relief" under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) includes claims for money damages against government officials in their individual capacities. Stephanie Taub of First Liberty joins us to discuss the ruling and its...

The case of Henry Schein Inc. v. Archer and White Sales Inc. will have oral arguments at the Supreme Court on December 8, 2020. At issue is whether a provision in an arbitration agreement that exempts certain claims from arbitration negates an otherwise clear and unmistakable delegation of questions of arbitrability to an arbitrator. Erika Birg joins us to discuss the background of the case and th...

On December 1st, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case CIC Services, LLC v. Internal Revenue Service. The case involves whether courts have jurisdiction over challenges to the validity of Internal Revenue Service rules or regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act before the taxpayer pays a tax and seeks a refund. The specific issue presented was whether the prohibition in the...

On December 7, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in two cases involving the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA). In Republic of Hungary v. Simon, the issue is whether a district court may abstain from exercising jurisdiction under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act for reasons of international comity, in a matter in which former Hungarian nationals have sued the nation of Hungary to...

The case of Mnuchin v. Collins will have oral arguments before the Supreme Court on December 9, 2020. The case involves the Federal Housing Finance Agency's 2008 decision to appoint itself conservator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and the issues presented are whether the statute's anti-injunction clause precludes a court from setting aside the Third Amendment and whether the succession clause pre...

Join us as Hester Peirce, Commissioner on the Securities and Exchange Commission, discusses the intersection of individual liberty and securities regulation.

The case of Facebook Inc. v. Duguid will have oral arguments before the Supreme Court on December 8, 2020. At issue in the case is the Telephone Consumer Protection Act's definition of "automatic telephone dialing system," and whether this phrase includes any device that can store and dial phone numbers, even if it “uses a random or sequential number generator.” Megan Brown and Prof. D...

On November 25, 2020, the Supreme Court barred New York Governor Andrew Cuomo from enforcing Executive Order 202.68 10- and 25-person occupancy limits on religious services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Application for injunctive relief was granted in the per curiam opinion. Justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh filed concurring opinions. Chief Justice Roberts filed a dissenting opinion. Justice Breyer f...

The case of Edwards v. Vannoy will have oral arguments before the Supreme Court on December 2, 2020. At issue is whether the Supreme Court’s decision in Ramos v. Louisiana applies retroactively to cases on federal collateral review. William McClintock joins us to offer commentary on the case and the oral arguments. Featuring: William S. McClintock, Associate, King & Spalding LLP Teleforu...

The case of Nestlé USA, Inc. v. Doe I (consolidated with Cargill, Inc. v. Doe I) will have oral arguments before the Supreme Court on December 1, 2020. At issue is whether an aiding and abetting claim against a domestic corporation brought under the Alien Tort Statute may overcome the extraterritoriality bar where the claim is based on allegations of general corporate activity in the United...