October Term 2003 · Docket 02-458
Can a sole owner join a business benefit plan?
the sides that brought the case seek to include sole owners in employee benefit plans. the opposing sides oppose this inclusion.
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. Holifield argued sole owners can be participants.
Mr. Roberts noted many owners work in their own businesses.
Mr. Troutman provided an address for the record.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 13-1 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 13-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 47-17 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 47-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 37-41
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests whether a sole owner qualifies as a participant in an employee benefit plan. the sides that brought the case argue for inclusion. the opposing sides argue against it.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 13-1 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 13-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 47-17 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 47-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-21
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 13, 2004.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want sole owners to join benefit plans.
the opposing sides want to exclude sole owners from these plans.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 13-1 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 13-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 47-17 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 47-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-21
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue sole owners are participants if other employees join.
the opposing sides argue sole owners do not fit the participant definition.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 13-1 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 13-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 47-17 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 47-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-21
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Rehnquist asked if the case was submitted.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 37-41
Why it matters
This case defines who can access business benefit plans. It affects owners of small businesses. It clarifies the scope of employee benefits law.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 13-1 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 13-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 47-17 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 47-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-21
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 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 37-41
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 14, lines 13-1 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 13-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 47-17 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 47-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 13-1 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 13-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 47-17 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 47-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-21
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.