Henson v. Santander Consumer USA, Inc.
| Docket No. | Op. Below | Argument | Opinion | Vote | Author | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16-349 | 4th Cir. | Apr 18, 2017 | Jun 12, 2017 | 9-0 | Gorsuch | OT 2016 |
Disclosure: Goldstein & Russell, P.C., whose attorneys contribute to this blog in various capacities, is among the counsel to the petitioner in this case.
Holding: A company may collect debts that it purchased for its own account without triggering the statutory definition of a "debt collector" under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
Judgment: Affirmed, 9-0, in an opinion by Justice Gorsuch on June 12, 2017.
SCOTUSblog Coverage
- Opinion analysis: Gorsuch’s first opinion confirms exemption of debt buyers from Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (Ronald Mann, June 12, 2017)
- Argument analysis: Court dubious about reading Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to reach debt buyers (Ronald Mann, April 19, 2017)
- Argument preview: Court to consider application of Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to debt buyers (Ronald Mann, April 11, 2017)
- Court adds 16 new cases to its merits docket (Expanded) (Amy Howe, January 13, 2017)
| Date | Proceedings and Orders |
|---|---|
| Jul 1 2016 | Application (16A12) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from July 18, 2016 to August 17, 2016, submitted to The Chief Justice. |
| Jul 5 2016 | Application (16A12) granted by The Chief Justice extending the time to file until August 17, 2016. |
| Aug 3 2016 | Application (16A12) to extend further the time from August 17, 2016 to September 16, 2016, submitted to The Chief Justice. |
| Aug 4 2016 | Application (16A12) granted by The Chief Justice extending the time to file until September 16, 2016. |
| Sep 16 2016 | Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due October 17, 2016) |
| Sep 27 2016 | Order extending time to file response to petition to and including November 16, 2016, for all respondents. |
| Nov 16 2016 | Brief of respondent Santander Consumer USA Inc. in opposition filed. |
| Nov 30 2016 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of January 6, 2017. |
| Nov 30 2016 | Reply of petitioners Ricky Henson, et al. filed. (Distributed) |
| Jan 9 2017 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of January 13, 2017. |
| Jan 13 2017 | Petition GRANTED. |
| Feb 2 2017 | Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for the petitioners. |
| Feb 2 2017 | Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs in support of either party or neither party received from counsel for the respondent. |
| Feb 17 2017 | SET FOR ARGUMENT ON Tuesday, April 18, 2017. |
| Feb 17 2017 | Joint appendix filed. (Statement of costs filed.) |
| Feb 17 2017 | Brief of petitioners Ricky Henson, et al. filed. |
| Feb 22 2017 | Record requested from the U.S.C.A. 4th Circuit. |
| Feb 22 2017 | Record received from the U.S.C.A. 4th Circuit. The record is electronic and available on PACER. |
| Feb 24 2017 | Brief amici curiae of States of Oregon, et al. filed. |
| Feb 24 2017 | Brief amicus curiae of Public Counsel filed. |
| Feb 24 2017 | Brief amici curiae of Jerome N. Frank Legal Services Organization at Yale Law School, et al. filed. |
| Feb 24 2017 | Brief amici curiae of National Consumer Law Center, et al. filed. |
| Mar 20 2017 | Brief of respondent Santander Consumer USA Inc. filed. |
| Mar 22 2017 | CIRCULATED. |
| Mar 27 2017 | Brief amici curiae of The Clearing House Association L.L.C., et al. filed. (Distributed) |
| Mar 27 2017 | Brief amicus curiae of ACA International filed. (Distributed) |
| Mar 27 2017 | Brief amici curiae of Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, et al. filed. (Distributed) |
| Apr 3 2017 | Reply of petitioners Ricky Henson, et al. filed. (Distributed) |
| Apr 18 2017 | Argued. For petitioners: Kevin K. Russell, Bethesda, Md. For respondent: Kannon K. Shanmugam, Washington, D. C. |
| Jun 12 2017 | Adjudged to be AFFIRMED. Gorsuch, J., delivered the opinion for a unanimous Court. |
| Jul 14 2017 | JUDGMENT ISSUED. |
