Decided
Conkright v. Frommert
Holding
An employee health plan often has an administrator who must interpret its terms, and in some circumstances courts will defer to the administrator's reading. The Court held here that a plan administrator's interpretation is entitled to deference, even when the administrator had previously adopted a different interpretation that a court found erroneous.
Judgment
Reversed and remanded, 5-3, in an opinion by John Roberts on Apr 21, 2010. Justice Breyer dissented, joined by Justices Stevens and Ginsburg. Justice Sotomayor took no part in the decision.
Merits Briefs
- Brief for Petitioner Sally L. Conkright, Patricia M. Nazemetz, Lawrence M. Becker and Xerox Corporation Retirement Income Guarantee Plan
- Brief for Respondent Paul J. Frommert, et al.
- Reply Brief for Petitioner Sally L. Conkright, Patricia M. Nazemetz, Lawrence M. Becker and Xerox Corporation Retirement Income Guarantee Plan
Amicus Briefs
- Brief for the Erisa Industry Committee and American Benefits Council in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for the Business Roundtable, Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, and the National Association of Manufacturers in Support of Petitioner in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for Janice C. Amara, Gisela R. Broderick, Annette S. Glanz, et al., and the Pension Rights Center in Support of Respondents
- Brief for AARP in Support of Respondents
- Brief for National Employment Lawyers Association in Support of Respondents
- Brief for the United States of America in Support of Respondents
- Brief for Law Professors in Support of Respondents
- Brief for Richard C. Capone in Support of Respondents
[##CERT-STAGE##]
Oct 17, 2008Application (08A336) for stay pending the filing and disposition of a petition for a writ of certiorari, submitted to Justice Ginsburg.
Oct 20, 2008Application (08A336) denied by Justice Ginsburg.
Dec 23, 2008Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due January 29, 2009)
Dec 23, 2008Appendix of petitioner Sally L. Conkright, et al. filed.
Jan 28, 2009Brief of Sixty-Two Respondents, Paul J. Frommert, et al., and Seven Cross- Respondents in opposition filed.
Jan 29, 2009Brief of Thirty-Three Respondents, Alvin M. Adams, et al. in opposition filed.
Jan 29, 2009Motion for leave to file amicus brief filed by Business Roundtable.
Feb 2, 2009Application (08A676) to file consolidated reply brief in excess of word limits, submitted to Justice Ginsburg.
Feb 10, 2009Letter from counsel for the petitioners withdrawing application (08A676) for consideration.
Feb 10, 2009Reply of petitioners Sally L. Conkright, et al. filed. (Distributed)
Feb 11, 2009DISTRIBUTED for Conference of February 27, 2009.
Mar 2, 2009The Acting Solicitor General is invited to file a brief in this case expressing the views of the United States.
Apr 9, 2009Application (08A884) for stay pending disposition of the petition for a writ of certiorari, submitted to Justice Ginsburg.
Apr 14, 2009Responses to application (08A884) requested by Justice Ginsburg, due close of business April 24, 2009.
Apr 24, 2009Joint response in opposition to application (08A884) filed.
Apr 30, 2009Application (08A884) denied by Justice Ginsburg. In Chambers Opinion issued by Justice Ginsburg.
May 28, 2009Brief amicus curiae of United States filed. VIDED.
Jun 8, 2009Supplemental brief of petitioners Sally L. Conkright, et al. filed. (Distributed)
Jun 9, 2009DISTRIBUTED for Conference of June 25, 2009.
Jun 29, 2009Motion for leave to file amicus brief filed by Business Roundtable GRANTED.
Jun 29, 2009Petition GRANTED.
Jul 20, 2009The time within which to file the joint appendix and petitioners' brief on the merits is extended to and including September 14, 2009.
Jul 20, 2009The time within which to file respondents' briefs on the merits is extended to and including November 13, 2009.
Sep 14, 2009Joint appendix filed. Statement of costs received.
Sep 14, 2009Brief of petitioners Sally L. Conkright, et al. filed.
Sep 21, 2009Brief amici curiae of Chief Actuaries filed.
Sep 21, 2009Brief amici curiae of Business Roundtable, et al. filed.
Sep 21, 2009Brief amici curiae of ERISA Industry Committee and American Benefits Council filed.
Nov 2, 2009SET FOR ARGUMENT ON Wednesday, January 20, 2010.
Nov 13, 2009Brief of respondents Paul J. Frommert, et al. filed.
Nov 20, 2009Brief amicus curiae of United States filed.
Nov 20, 2009Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument filed.
Nov 20, 2009Brief amici curiae of Janice C. Amara, et al. filed. (Distributed)
Nov 20, 2009Brief amicus curiae of AARP filed. (Distributed)
Nov 20, 2009Brief amicus curiae of National Employment Lawyers Association filed. (Distributed)
Nov 20, 2009Brief amici curiae of Law Professors filed. (Distributed)
Nov 20, 2009Brief amicus curiae of Richard C. Capone filed. (Distributed)
Nov 23, 2009CIRCULATED.
Dec 11, 2009Record received from U.S.C.A. for Second Circuit. (1 Box)
Dec 14, 2009Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument GRANTED. Justice Sotomayor took no part in the consideration or decision of this motion.
Dec 14, 2009Reply of petitioners Sally L. Conkright, et al. filed. (Distributed)
Dec 16, 2009Record received from U.S.D.C. for Western District of New York. (1 envelope and 2 boxes)
Jan 20, 2010Argued. For petitioners: Robert A. Long, Jr., Washington, D.C. For respondents: Peter K. Stris, Costa Mesa, Cal.; and Matthew D. Roberts, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. (for United States, as amicus curiae.)
Apr 21, 2010Judgment REVERSED and case REMANDED. Roberts, C. J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Scalia, Kennedy, Thomas, and Alito, JJ., joined. Breyer, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Stevens and Ginsburg, JJ., joined. Sotomayor, J., took no part in the consideration or decision of the case.
May 24, 2010JUDGMENT ISSUED.
May 26, 2010Record returned to U.S.C.A., 2nd Circuit (1) box.
May 26, 2010Record returned to U.S.D.C. for the Western Dist. of NY. (1 envelope and 2 boxes.)
Recommended Citation: Conkright v. Frommert, SCOTUSblog, https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/conkright-v-frommert/