{"argument_date":"2017-02-21T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2017-02-21T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2016","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","paragraphs":["Ms. Ho argued the statutory structure favors an abuse of discretion review.","Mr. Kinnaird argued the agency holds sole discretion over evidence relevance.","Justice Ginsburg noted subpoena enforcement comes to the court cold."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 20-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 20-50"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 26-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 26-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 4-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 4-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 44-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 44-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 36-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 36-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 32-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 32-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 20-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 20-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 24-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 34-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 34-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 30-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 30-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 50-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 50-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 8-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 8-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 14-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 14-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 10-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 10-36"}]}],"caption":"McLane Co. v. EEOC","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:21.788686Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"McLane seeks a strict legal standard to limit EEOC subpoenas. The agency argues courts must defer to its investigative choices.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 32-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 32-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 20-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 20-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-18"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2017-02-21T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2016","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/15-1248.html","primary_docket":"15-1248","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T18:45:35.236831Z","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 dispute centers on the standard of review for EEOC subpoenas. McLane wants courts to strictly check agency demands. The EEOC wants courts to defer to its investigative judgment."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 32-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 32-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 20-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 20-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-18"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on February 21, 2017."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["McLane wants a strict legal standard to limit EEOC subpoenas.","The EEOC wants courts to defer to its investigative judgment."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 32-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 32-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 20-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 20-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-18"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["McLane argues historical and functional considerations support an abuse of discretion standard.","The EEOC argues Congress vested the agency, not the court, with relevance discretion."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 32-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 32-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 20-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 20-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-18"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Sotomayor asked if the only issue is the failure to order release.","Justice Breyer asked what stops the agency from demanding every document."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 20-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 20-50"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 26-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 26-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 4-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 4-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 44-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 44-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 36-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 36-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 24-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 34-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 34-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 30-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 30-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 50-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 50-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 8-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 8-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 14-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 14-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 10-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 10-36"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the balance between agency power and business privacy. It sets the standard for reviewing federal investigative subpoenas. The outcome shapes future civil rights enforcement efforts."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 32-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 32-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 20-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 20-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-18"}]},{"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 20-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 20-50"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 26-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 26-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 4-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 4-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 44-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 44-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 36-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 36-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 24-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 34-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 34-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 30-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 30-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 50-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 50-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 8-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 8-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 14-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 14-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 10-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 10-36"}]}],"slug":"2016-15-1248-mclane-co-v-eeoc","term":"2016","title":"Who decides if the EEOC subpoena is too broad?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 32-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 32-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 20-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 20-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1248_2dq3.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-18"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}