October Term 2013 · Docket 12-872
Can federal courts dismiss age discrimination claims under state law?
the sides that brought the case argue federal law blocks state age discrimination suits. the opposing sides claim state courts retain jurisdiction.
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. Scodro argued Congress created specific procedures for age discrimination.
Mr. Theobald argued the Seventh Circuit lacked jurisdiction over the issue.
questions_and_answers
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 33-9 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 33-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-35 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 39-49
- 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 3-13 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 3-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 13-27 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 13-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 39-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 17-25
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests whether federal age discrimination law preempts state law claims. the sides that brought the case seek dismissal of state claims. the opposing sides want to keep those claims alive.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 33-9 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 33-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-35 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 39-39
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 7, 2013.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want the Court to dismiss the state law claims.
the opposing sides want the Court to allow the state law claims to proceed.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 33-9 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 33-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-35 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 39-39
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue federal law creates a comprehensive remedy system that blocks state claims.
the opposing sides argue the Seventh Circuit lacked jurisdiction to decide the preclusion issue.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 33-9 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 33-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-35 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 39-39
What the justices asked
Justice Ginsburg asked about the Seventh Circuit's authority to hear the case.
Justice Kennedy asked if the Court is granting certiorari before judgment.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 39-49
- 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 3-13 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 3-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 13-27 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 13-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 17-25
Why it matters
This dispute determines whether workers can sue under state age discrimination laws. It defines the scope of federal preemption in employment cases. It affects the availability of legal remedies for older workers.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 33-9 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 33-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-35 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 39-39
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 39-49 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 39-49
- 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 3-13 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 3-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 13-27 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 13-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 17-25
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 24, lines 33-9 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 33-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-35 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 39-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 33-9 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 33-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-35 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 39-39
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.