October Term 2000 · Docket 00-292
Does an arbitration clause waive tribal sovereign immunity?
C & L Enterprises seeks state court enforcement of an arbitration award. The Potawatomi Tribe claims sovereign immunity bars the suit.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Mashburn stated the Tribe contracted for off-reservation construction.
Mr. Coleman argued the contract waived immunity for arbitration.
Mr. Garre cited precedent recognizing tribal sovereign immunity.
Mr. Minnis argued an arbitration clause is not a waiver.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 19-58 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 19-58
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 3-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 3-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 17-39 — Transcript, file page 40, lines 17-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 37-39
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
C & L Enterprises built a roof for the Potawatomi Tribe off-reservation. The contract included an arbitration clause. The parties disputed the award. C & L Enterprises sued in state court to confirm the award. The Tribe argued sovereign immunity blocked the suit. The lower court ruled against the Tribe. C & L Enterprises won that lower-court action.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 19-58 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 19-58
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 17-39 — Transcript, file page 40, lines 17-39
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 19, 2001.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 3-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 3-11
What each side wants
C & L Enterprises wants the state court to confirm the arbitration award.
The Potawatomi Tribe wants the state court to dismiss the suit.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 19-58 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 19-58
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 17-39 — Transcript, file page 40, lines 17-39
What each side says
C & L Enterprises argues the contract waived tribal immunity.
The Potawatomi Tribe argues the clause did not waive immunity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 19-58 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 19-58
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 17-39 — Transcript, file page 40, lines 17-39
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Rehnquist asked if the case was submitted.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 37-39
Why it matters
Tribes face state court suits over commercial contracts. Clear waiver rules protect tribal sovereignty. Businesses need reliable dispute resolution mechanisms. This case defines the scope of tribal immunity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 19-58 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 19-58
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 17-39 — Transcript, file page 40, lines 17-39
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 3-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 3-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 37-39
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 19-58 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 19-58
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 17-39 — Transcript, file page 40, lines 17-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 19-58 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 19-58
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 17-39 — Transcript, file page 40, lines 17-39
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.