2021 in United States case law
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| 2021 in United States case law | |
|---|---|
| Year | 2021 |
| Country | United States |
| Court | Supreme Court of the United States |
| Notable decisions | Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization; Fulton v. City of Philadelphia; Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee |
| Related events | January 6 United States Capitol attack; 2020 United States presidential election controversies; COVID-19 pandemic |
2021 in United States case law
2021 in United States case law saw a succession of high-profile decisions and lower-court rulings that shaped First Amendment to the United States Constitution disputes, Voting Rights Act of 1965 litigation, administrative law review, and pandemic-era public health controversies. The year featured decisions from the Supreme Court of the United States and rulings from the United States Courts of Appeals and United States district courts that interacted with actions by the United States Congress, the White House, and state governments including Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Significant cases engaged actors such as the Democratic National Committee, Republican National Committee, advocacy organizations like Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and institutions including Harvard University, Yale University, and the Roman Catholic Church.
Major Supreme Court decisions
The Supreme Court of the United States issued landmark opinions in matters implicating First Amendment to the United States Constitution claims, election law, and administrative deference. In decisions like Fulton v. City of Philadelphia the Court addressed conflicts involving the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia, City of Philadelphia, and Commissioner of Human Services concerning religious exemptions and foster-care contracts. Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee examined provisions of the Arizona Revised Statutes in relation to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, implicating parties such as the Arizona Republican Party and civil rights groups including the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. The Court's approach to Chevron deference and administrative authority influenced disputes involving the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Health and Human Services.
Other rulings involved intellectual property and labor questions; the Court entertained petitions from entities like Google LLC, Apple Inc., and labor organizations such as the Service Employees International Union. Health-care litigation intersected with decisions arising from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act challenges led by state coalitions including Texas v. United States (XV)-style litigation teams. Election-related jurisprudence referenced the aftermath of the 2020 United States presidential election and the January 6 United States Capitol attack, with opinions considering certiorari petitions brought by state officials from Georgia, Michigan, and Arizona.
Notable federal appellate and district court rulings
Federal appellate and district courts issued influential rulings on vaccine mandates, emergency public-health orders, and administrative rulemaking. The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit heard challenges involving the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and state executives including Greg Abbott and Ron DeSantis. Litigation featuring universities such as Harvard University and Yale University over Title IX and admissions policies intersected with advocacy groups like the Students for Fair Admissions.
District court actions in jurisdictions including the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas considered contract disputes implicating corporations like Pfizer, Moderna, Inc., and private entities engaged in pandemic response. Appellate panels evaluated ballot-access cases involving the Republican National Committee, the Democratic National Committee, state secretaries such as Kathy Hochul and Brad Raffensperger, and election boards in Wisconsin and Nevada. Cases brought by organizations such as American Civil Liberties Union affiliates and the Brennan Center for Justice further shaped remedies for alleged rights violations.
Trends and legal developments
Trends in 2021 included heightened scrutiny of administrative agencies, expansion of religious-liberty claims, and evolving election-law doctrine. The Supreme Court's treatment of religious freedom echoes decisions involving the Free Exercise Clause and litigants like the Roman Catholic Church and faith-based charities. Appellate courts developed standards for vaccine and mask mandates prompted by actions from Joe Biden's administration and executive agencies such as the Department of Justice. Voting litigation reflected new lines developed in Brnovich and prior precedents like Shelby County v. Holder, influencing litigation strategies by state attorneys general including Ken Paxton and Hallett-era counsel.
Administrative law developments engaged debates over nondelegation doctrine, with litigants such as business associations and environmental groups challenging rules from the Environmental Protection Agency and Federal Communications Commission. Litigation trends saw increased role for advocacy organizations including Planned Parenthood Federation of America, National Rifle Association, and the Institute for Justice.
Legislative and executive impacts on case law
Actions by the United States Congress and the President of the United States materially affected litigation. Legislative measures like provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and appropriations statutes spawned litigation involving state governments and interest groups such as National Conference of State Legislatures. Executive orders issued by Joe Biden influenced challenges to immigration policy from entities like Texas and Florida and to environmental directives involving the Environmental Protection Agency and energy companies including ExxonMobil. Congressional oversight and subpoenas involving figures associated with the 2020 United States presidential election prompted litigation in federal courts including the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Key ongoing and emerging cases into 2022
Several high-stakes matters carried into 2022, including cases related to reproductive rights initiated by organizations like Planned Parenthood Federation of America against state regimes in Mississippi and Alabama, election challenges tied to officials from Georgia and Arizona, and administrative-law disputes involving the Federal Trade Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Litigation arising from the January 6 United States Capitol attack involving defendants and plaintiffs such as members of Congress and private actors persisted in district courts and on appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Intellectual property and antitrust suits featuring Microsoft Corporation and Facebook, Inc. continued, with involvement from the Department of Justice and state attorneys general.