Skip to content

Encino Motorcars, LLC v. Navarro

Docket No. Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
15-415 Apr 20, 2016 Apr 28, 2025 6-2 Kennedy OT 2015

Holding: The Fair Labor Standards Act exempts "any salesman, partsman, or mechanic primarily engaged in selling or servicing automobiles" from an employer"s general obligation to pay overtime to employees who work more than forty hours in a week. Because the Department of Labor"s 2011 interpretation of this provision was issued without the reasoned explanation that was required in light of the department"s change in position and the significant reliance interests involved, the provision must be construed without placing controlling weight on that interpretation.

Judgment: Vacated and remanded, 6-2, in an opinion by Justice Kennedy on April 28, 2025. Justice Ginsburg filed a concurring opinion, in which Justice Sotomayor joined. Justice Thomas filed a dissenting opinion, in which Justice Alito joined.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

DateProceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
08/19/2015Application (15A210) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from August 30, 2015 to September 30, 2015, submitted to Justice Kennedy.
08/20/2015Application (15A210) granted by Justice Kennedy extending the time to file until September 30, 2015.
09/30/2015Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due November 4, 2015)
10/05/2015Order extending time to file response to petition to and including December 4, 2015.
11/04/2015Brief amici curiae of National Automobile Dealers Association, et al. filed.
12/04/2015Brief of respondents Hector Navarro, et al. in opposition filed.
12/22/2015DISTRIBUTED for Conference of January 8, 2016.
12/22/2015Reply of petitioner Encino Motorcars, LLC filed. (Distributed)
01/11/2016DISTRIBUTED for Conference of January 15, 2016.
01/15/2016Petition GRANTED.
01/29/2016Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for respondents
02/01/2016Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for petitioner.
02/29/2016Joint appendix filed.
02/29/2016Brief of petitioner Encino Motorcars, LLC filed.
03/04/2016SET FOR ARGUMENT ON Wednesday April 20, 2016
03/07/2016Brief amici curiae of Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, et al. filed.
03/07/2016Brief amici curiae of National Automobile Dealers Association, et al. filed.
03/14/2016Record requested from the U.S.C.A. 9th Circuit.
03/15/2016CIRCULATED.
03/30/2016Brief of respondents Hector Navarro, et al. filed. (Distributed)
04/05/2016Brief amicus curiae of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, AFL-CIO filed. (Distributed)
04/06/2016Brief amicus curiae of the United States filed. (Distributed)
04/06/2016Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument filed.
04/06/2016Brief amici curiae of Law Professors filed. (Distributed)
04/06/2016Brief amici curiae of National Employment Lawyers Association, et al. filed. (Distributed)
04/08/2016Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument GRANTED.
04/13/2016Reply of petitioner Encino Motorcars, LLC filed. (Distributed)
04/14/2016Letter, dated14 April 2016, received from counsel for respondents filed. (Distributed).
04/20/2016Argued. For petitioner: Paul D. Clement, Washington, D. C. For respondents: Stephanos Bibas, Philadelphia, Pa.; and Anthony A. Yang, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. (for United States, as amicus curiae).
06/20/2016Judgment VACATED and case REMANDED. Kennedy, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Roberts, C. J., and Ginsburg, Breyer, Sotomayor, and Kagan, JJ., joined. Ginsburg, J., filed a concurring opinion, in which Sotomayor, J., joined. Thomas, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Alito, J., joined.
07/22/2016JUDGMENT ISSUED