October Term 2001 · Docket 01-584
Does the Age Discrimination Act allow disparate impact claims?
the sides that brought the case seek to prove age bias through statistical disparities. the opposing sides argue the statute requires proof of intentional discrimination.
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. Crabtree argued that disparate impact is a valid method of proof in age cases.
Mr. Nager argued that the Age Discrimination Act does not support disparate impact claims.
questions_asked_by_justices
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 39-1 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 39-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 31-33
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests whether the Age Discrimination in Employment Act permits disparate impact claims. the sides that brought the case argue the statute bans facially neutral actions that harm older workers. the opposing sides contend the law only prohibits intentional age bias.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 39-1 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 39-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-39
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 20, 2002.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want the Court to allow disparate impact proof in age cases.
the opposing sides want the Court to limit age claims to intentional discrimination.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 39-1 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 39-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-39
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue the statute bans neutral actions that disproportionately harm older workers.
the opposing sides argue the statute requires proof of specific intent to discriminate.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 39-1 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 39-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-39
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Rehnquist asked the advocates to clarify their legal arguments.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 31-33
Why it matters
The outcome defines how workers prove age bias in employment disputes. It shapes the legal standard for challenging neutral workplace policies.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 39-1 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 39-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-39 — Transcript, file page 3, 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 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 31-33
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 23, lines 39-1 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 39-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-39 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 39-1 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 39-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-39 — Transcript, file page 3, 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.