{"argument_date":"2013-04-24T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2013-04-24T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2012","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Joseffer argued that the Gross decision and 1991 amendments support the but-for standard.","Mr. Lauten argued that Congress would not create two standards without explicit language.","Ms. Arbus Sherry addressed why Congress might adopt different standards for different claims."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 45-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 45-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 19-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 19-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 7-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 7-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 51-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 51-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 25-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 3-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 45, lines 3-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 39-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 39-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 51-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 51-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 7-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 31-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 31-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 31-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 17-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 43-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 45-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 45-47"}]}],"caption":"University of Tex. Southwestern Medical Center v. Nassar","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:34.405358Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:34.437909Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on the legal standard for proving workplace retaliation under Title VII.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 7-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 7-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 3-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 45, lines 3-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 31-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 31-29"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2013-04-24T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2012","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/12-484.html","primary_docket":"12-484","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T21:46:22.047404Z","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":["The case asks whether a plaintiff must prove that retaliation was the sole cause of an adverse action. the side that brought the case argues the but-for standard applies. the opposing side argues a lesser standard applies."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 7-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 7-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 3-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 45, lines 3-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 31-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 31-29"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 24, 2013."],"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/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 31-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 31-29"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case wants the Court to apply the but-for causation standard to retaliation claims.","the opposing side wants the Court to apply a lesser causation standard to retaliation claims."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 7-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 7-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 3-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 45, lines 3-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 31-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 31-29"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argues that the 1991 amendments did not change the traditional burden of proof for retaliation.","the opposing side argues that Congress created two distinct causation standards within the same statute in 1991."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 7-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 7-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 3-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 45, lines 3-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 31-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 31-29"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Kagan asked if any other discrimination statute uses different standards for retaliation and discrimination.","Justice Ginsburg asked if age discrimination claims use the same standard for both types of claims."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 45-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 45-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 19-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 19-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 51-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 51-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 25-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 39-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 39-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 51-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 51-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 7-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 31-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 17-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 43-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 45-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 45-47"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["The outcome defines the evidentiary burden for employees alleging workplace retaliation. It determines how strictly courts must link retaliatory acts to adverse employment decisions."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 7-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 7-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 3-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 45, lines 3-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 31-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 31-29"}]},{"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 10, lines 45-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 45-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 19-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 19-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 51-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 51-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 25-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 39-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 39-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 51-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 51-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 7-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 31-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 31-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 31-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 17-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 43-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 45-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 45-47"}]}],"slug":"2012-12-484-university-of-tex-southwestern-medical-center-v-nassar","term":"2012","title":"Does Title VII require but-for causation for retaliation claims?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 7-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 7-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 3-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 45, lines 3-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 31-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/12-484_c9dh.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 31-29"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}