{"argument_date":"2012-02-21T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2012-02-21T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2011","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Russell argued on behalf of the sides that brought the case.","Mr. Hefferon argued on behalf of the opposing sides.","Ms. O'Connell argued on behalf of the opposing sides.","Justice Breyer questioned the nature of the fee as a service."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 31-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 31-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 19-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 19-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 45-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 45-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 43-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 43-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 29-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 35-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 35-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 37-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 37-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 41-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 41-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 5-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 3-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 3-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 33-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 45-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 17-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 60, lines 17-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 60, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 45-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 5-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 5-7"}]}],"caption":"Freeman v. Quicken Loans, Inc.","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:35.372507Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:35.395814Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether sharing unearned settlement fees violates federal law.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 31-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 31-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 19-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 19-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 45-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 45-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 3-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 3-15"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2012-02-21T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2011","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/10-1042.html","primary_docket":"10-1042","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T23:13:30.512510Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["This case tests the scope of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. The law regulates settlement charges in real estate transactions. It aims to prevent abusive practices in the housing market. The specific issue involves the sharing of fees between service providers."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 31-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 31-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 19-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 19-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 45-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 45-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 3-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 3-15"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on February 21, 2012."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 3-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 3-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want the Court to reverse the lower-court action.","the opposing sides want the Court to affirm the lower-court action."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 31-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 31-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 19-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 19-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 45-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 45-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 3-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 3-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue that sharing unearned fees violates the statute.","the opposing sides argue that the statute does not prohibit this practice."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 31-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 31-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 19-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 19-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 45-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 45-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 3-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 3-15"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Ginsburg asked if HUD lacks suit-commencement authority.","Justice Scalia asked why one fee type precedes another."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 43-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 43-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 29-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 35-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 35-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 37-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 37-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 41-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 41-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 5-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 33-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 45-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 17-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 60, lines 17-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 60, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 45-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 5-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 5-7"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["The outcome defines the limits of fee sharing in real estate. It clarifies the scope of federal settlement regulations. It impacts how service providers structure their compensation. It affects consumer protections in housing transactions."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 31-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 31-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 19-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 19-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 45-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 45-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 3-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 3-15"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 43-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 43-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 29-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 35-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 35-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 37-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 37-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 41-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 41-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 5-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 3-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 3-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 33-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 45-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 17-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 60, lines 17-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 60, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 45-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 5-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 5-7"}]}],"slug":"2011-10-1042-freeman-v-quicken-loans-inc","term":"2011","title":"Does RESPA ban sharing unearned settlement fees?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 31-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 31-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 19-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 19-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 45-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 45-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 3-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-1042.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 3-15"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}