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Pavan v. Smith

Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
16-992 Ark. Not Argued Jun 26, 2017 n/a Per Curiam OT 2016

Holding: Having chosen to make its birth certificates more than mere markers of biological relationships and to use them to give married parents a form of legal recognition that is not available to unmarried parents, Arkansas may not, consistent with Obergefell v. Hodges, deny married same-sex couples that recognition.

Judgment: Reversed and remanded in a per curiam opinion on June 26, 2017. Justice Gorsuch filed a dissenting opinion, in which Justices Thomas and Alito joined.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

DateProceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
Feb 13 2017Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due March 15, 2017)
Feb 24 2017Order extending time to file response to petition to and including April 14, 2017.
Mar 15 2017Brief amicus curiae of Constitutional Accountability Center filed.
Mar 15 2017Motion for leave to file amici brief filed by Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc., et al.
Mar 15 2017Motion for leave to file amici brief filed by Family Equality Council, et al.
Mar 15 2017Motion for leave to file amici brief filed by Family Law Professors.
Apr 14 2017Brief of respondent Nathaniel Smith in opposition filed.
May 1 2017Reply of petitioners Marisa N. Pavan, et al. filed.
May 2 2017DISTRIBUTED for Conference of May 18, 2017.
May 22 2017DISTRIBUTED for Conference of May 25, 2017.
May 22 2017Record Requested .
May 23 2017Record received from the Supreme Court of Arkansas. The record is electronic.
May 30 2017DISTRIBUTED for Conference of June 1, 2017.
Jun 5 2017DISTRIBUTED for Conference of June 8, 2017.
Jun 12 2017DISTRIBUTED for Conference of June 15, 2017.
Jun 19 2017DISTRIBUTED for Conference of June 22, 2017.
Jun 26 2017Motion for leave to file amici brief filed by Family Equality Council, et al., GRANTED.
Jun 26 2017Motion for leave to file amici brief filed by Family Law Professors GRANTED.
Jun 26 2017Motion for leave to file amici brief filed by Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc., et al. GRANTED.
Jun 26 2017Petition GRANTED. Judgment REVERSED and CASE REMANDED. Opinion per curiam. (Detached Opinion). Justice Gorsuch, with whom Justice Thomas and Justice Alito join, dissenting. (Detached Opinion).
Jul 28 2017MANDATE ISSUED.
Jul 28 2017JUDGMENT ISSUED.