October Term 2011 · Docket 10-1018
Can a private lawyer claim qualified immunity for a personnel investigation?
A private attorney argues he acted as a state agent. the opposing side claims he lacked official authority.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — 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
Ms. Millett argued the side that brought the case worked side-by-side with officials.
Ms. Saharsky stated the side that brought the case acted under supervision.
chief_justice_roberts_noted the test lacks clear assurance.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 49-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 5-27 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 5-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 37-1 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 37-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 39-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 51-23 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 51-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-11 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 45-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-17 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 17-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 31-49 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 31-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 27-37
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests whether a private lawyer can claim qualified immunity. the side that brought the case says he acted under state supervision. the opposing side says he was a private actor.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 39-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 51-23 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 51-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-17 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 13-15
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 17, 2012.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-17 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-17
What each side wants
the side that brought the case wants the court to grant him qualified immunity.
the opposing side wants the court to deny the immunity claim.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 39-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 51-23 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 51-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-17 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 13-15
What each side says
the side that brought the case argues he acted under state supervision.
the opposing side argues he was a private actor.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 39-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 51-23 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 51-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-17 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 13-15
What the justices asked
Justice Sotomayor asked why the functional test does not apply here.
Justice Ginsburg asked if any private attorney lacks qualified immunity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 49-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 5-27 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 5-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 37-1 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 37-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-11 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 45-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 17-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 31-49 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 31-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 27-37
Why it matters
This case defines the scope of qualified immunity for private contractors. It clarifies when private actors act as state agents. It affects future civil rights litigation involving government contractors.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 39-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 51-23 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 51-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-17 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 13-15
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 10, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 49-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 5-27 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 5-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 37-1 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 37-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-11 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 45-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-17 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 17-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 31-49 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 31-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 27-37
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 18, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 39-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 51-23 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 51-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-17 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 39-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 51-23 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 51-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-17 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 13-15
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.