{"argument_date":"2019-11-13T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2019-11-13T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2019","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Lehman argued that the order merely determined where the parties would litigate the contract claim.","Mr. Dunham cited Section 158 of the judicial code regarding district court jurisdiction over final decisions.","Mr. Suri discussed the implications of elevating status quo language into an element of the finality test."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 15-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 39-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 39-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 31-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 31-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 45-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 45-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 41-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 41-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 45-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 41-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 39-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 63, lines 39-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 68, lines 27-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 9-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 68, lines 9-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 33-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 37-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 33-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 51-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 37-39"}]}],"caption":"Ritzen Group, Inc. v. Jackson Masonry, LLC","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:19.751527Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:19.783944Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Ritzen Group and Jackson Masonry dispute whether a bankruptcy judge's order assigning a contract claim to state court is a final decision subject to immediate appeal.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 41-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 41-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 45-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 39-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 63, lines 39-7"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2019-11-13T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2019","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/18-938.html","primary_docket":"18-938","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T17:41:10.950616Z","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 centers on the definition of a final order in bankruptcy proceedings. The parties argue over whether an order that merely determines the forum for a specific claim qualifies as a final decision under federal law."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 41-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 41-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 45-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 39-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 63, lines 39-7"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 13, 2019."],"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/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 68, lines 27-29"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Ritzen Group wants the Court to confirm that the order is a final decision allowing immediate appeal.","Jackson Masonry wants the Court to hold that the order is not final because the bankruptcy case remains open."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 41-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 41-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 45-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 39-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 63, lines 39-7"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Ritzen Group argues that the order resolved a specific claim and thus constitutes a final decision under the judicial code.","Jackson Masonry argues that the order only assigned the claim to a different forum and did not end the bankruptcy proceeding."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 41-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 41-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 45-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 39-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 63, lines 39-7"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Chief Justice Roberts asked how the conclusion of the bankruptcy case affects the finality of the order.","Justice Alito asked whether the advocate conceded that the order was part of a proceeding but not a final order within it."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 15-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 39-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 39-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 31-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 31-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 45-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 45-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 41-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 68, lines 27-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 9-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 68, lines 9-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 33-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 37-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 33-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 51-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 37-39"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines when bankruptcy orders become appealable. It determines whether parties can challenge forum-selection orders immediately or must wait until the bankruptcy case concludes. The outcome shapes the efficiency of bankruptcy litigation and the rights of creditors and debtors to seek review."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 41-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 41-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 45-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 39-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 63, lines 39-7"}]},{"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 15-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 15-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 39-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 39-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 31-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 31-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 45-55","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 45-55"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 41-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 68, lines 27-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 9-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 68, lines 9-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 33-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 37-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 33-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-53","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 51-53"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 37-39"}]}],"slug":"2019-18-938-ritzen-group-inc-v-jackson-masonry-llc","term":"2019","title":"Does a bankruptcy order deciding where a contract claim will be litigated count as a final appealable order?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 41-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 41-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 45-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 45-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 39-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2019/18-938_p8k0.pdf","page_label":"file page 63, lines 39-7"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}