Decided
Hardt v. Reliance Standard Life Insurance Co.
Holding
In certain retirement-benefits cases, a party requesting attorney's fees from the court does not need to be the prevailing party? in the case; a court may award fees to her as long as she has achieved some degree of success? in the case.
Judgment
Reversed and Remanded, 9-0, in an opinion by Clarence Thomas on May 24, 2010. Justice Stevens concurred in part and in the judgment.
Merits Briefs
- Brief for Petitioner Bridget Hardt
- Brief for Respondent Reliance Standard Life Insurance Co.
- Reply Brief for Petitioner Bridget Hardt
[edit] Amicus Briefs
- Brief for United States of America in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for AARP and the National Employment Lawyers Association in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for United Policyholders in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for DRI – The Voice of The Defense Bar in Support of Respondent
[edit] Certiorari-Stage Documents
Oct 14, 2009Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due November 16, 2009)
Oct 26, 2009Waiver of right of respondent Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company to respond filed.
Nov 9, 2009DISTRIBUTED for Conference of November 24, 2009.
Nov 17, 2009Response Requested . (Due December 17, 2009)
Dec 16, 2009Brief of respondent Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company in opposition filed.
Dec 29, 2009Reply of petitioner Bridget Hardt filed.
Dec 30, 2009DISTRIBUTED for Conference of January 15, 2010.
Jan 15, 2010Petition GRANTED. The brief of petitioner is to be filed on or before Thursday, February 25, 2010. The brief of respondent is to be filed on or before Thursday, March 25, 2010. A reply brief, if any, is to be filed in accordance with Rule 25.3 of the Rules of this Court.
Feb 16, 2010SET FOR ARGUMENT ON Monday, April 26, 2010.
Feb 24, 2010Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs in support of either party or neither party received from counsel for the respondent.
Feb 25, 2010Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs in support of either party or neither party received from counsel for the petitioner.
Feb 25, 2010Brief of petitioner Bridget Hardt filed.
Feb 25, 2010Joint appendix filed. (Statement of costs filed)
Mar 4, 2010Brief amicus curiae of United States filed.
Mar 4, 2010Brief amicus curiae of United Policyholders filed.
Mar 4, 2010Brief amici curiae of AARP and National Employment Lawyers Association filed.
Mar 5, 2010Record received from U.S.C.A. for 4th Circuit. (1 envelope)
Mar 18, 2010CIRCULATED.
Mar 24, 2010Brief of respondent Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company filed. (Distributed)
Mar 26, 2010Proposal to lodge copies of the Independent Medical Examination report of Edward R. Isaacs, M.D. (May 1, 2008) received from counsel for the respondent.
Mar 31, 2010Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument filed.
Mar 31, 2010Brief amicus curiae of DRI - The Voice of the Defense Bar filed. (Distributed)
Apr 16, 2010Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument GRANTED.
Apr 19, 2010Reply of petitioner Bridget Hardt filed. (Distributed)
Apr 26, 2010Argued. For petitioner: John R. Ates, Alexandria, VA.; and Pratik A. Shah, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. (for United States, as amicus curiae.) For respondent: Nicholas Q. Rosenkranz, Washington, D. C.
May 24, 2010Judgment REVERSED and case REMANDED. Thomas, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Roberts, C. J., and Scalia, Kennedy, Ginsburg, Breyer, Alito, and Sotomayor, JJ., joined, and in which Stevens, J., joined as to Parts I and II. Stevens, J., filed an opinion concurring in part and concurring in the judgment.
Jun 25, 2010JUDGMENT ISSUED.
Jun 25, 2010Record returned to the USCA for the Fourth Circuit. 1-envelope
Jun 25, 2010Record returned to the USDC for the Eastern District of Virginia (Norfolk). 1-box
Recommended Citation: Hardt v. Reliance Standard Life Insurance Co., SCOTUSblog, https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/hardt-v-reliance-standard-life-insurance-co/