{"argument_date":"2017-11-28T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2017-11-28T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2017","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Geyser argued that limiting the term creates an absurd result.","Mr. Michel argued that the statutory definition does not fit retaliation claims.","Mr. Shanmugam argued that the law protects only those who report to the SEC."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 19-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 21-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 21-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 51-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 51-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 55-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 55-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 7-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 7-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 43-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 43-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 19-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 19-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 27-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 27-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 47-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 47-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 19-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 19-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 13-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 49, lines 13-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 49-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 27-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 55-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 55-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 31-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 31-39"}]}],"caption":"Digital Realty Trust, Inc. v. Somers","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:21.212536Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:21.229855Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether Dodd-Frank shields employees who report violations to their employers rather than the SEC.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 19-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 19-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 13-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 49, lines 13-7"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2017-11-28T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2017","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/16-1276.html","primary_docket":"16-1276","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T18:28:04.822853Z","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":["Digital Realty Trust argues the law protects only those who report to the SEC. Somers argues the law protects internal reporters too."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 19-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 19-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 13-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 49, lines 13-7"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 28, 2017."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 27-29"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Digital Realty Trust wants the Court to limit protection to SEC reporters.","Somers wants the Court to extend protection to internal reporters."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 19-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 19-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 13-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 49, lines 13-7"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Digital Realty Trust argues the statutory definition fits only the SEC awards program.","Somers argues the retaliation clause uses the term broadly to cover internal reports."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 19-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 19-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 13-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 49, lines 13-7"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Breyer asked why internal reports should not count as whistleblowing.","Justice Kagan questioned the oddity of excluding internal reporters from protection."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 19-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 21-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 21-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 51-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 51-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 55-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 55-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 7-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 7-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 43-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 43-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 19-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 19-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 27-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 27-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 47-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 47-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 49-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 27-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 55-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 55-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 31-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 31-39"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines who receives anti-retaliation protection under federal securities law. It determines whether employees can report misconduct internally without fear of termination. The outcome shapes corporate compliance and employee safety nationwide."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 19-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 19-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 13-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 49, lines 13-7"}]},{"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 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 19-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 21-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 21-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 51-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 51-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 55-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 55-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 7-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 7-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 43-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 43-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 19-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 19-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 27-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 27-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 47-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 47-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 49-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 27-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 55-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 55-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 31-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 31-39"}]}],"slug":"2017-16-1276-digital-realty-trust-inc-v-somers","term":"2017","title":"Does Dodd-Frank protect employees who report internally?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 19-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 19-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 13-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1276_9ok0.pdf","page_label":"file page 49, lines 13-7"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}