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California Parents for the Equalization of Educational Materials v. Tom Torlakson, et al.

Paid petition · United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, No. 19-15607 · judgment September 3, 2020


Certiorari denied · April 26, 2021
Pre-decision estimate: 19% cert probability (95% interval 15%–25%)

Before the decision, about 4.7× the 4.1% base rate. The model weighted this up for counsel who has won certiorari before, a Ninth Circuit decision below, and a circuit split argued in the petition.

Question presented

Whether the Free Exercise Clause permits the government to single out a religion for disfavored treatment so long as it does not “substantially burden” religious exercise. (i)

Counsel of record

For petitioner
Carter G. Phillips
Sidley Austin LLP

For respondent
Elizabeth Sydney Stein
California Department of Education

Case

Conference history
Distributed for 1 conference

Proceedings

  1. Apr 26 2021
    Motion for leave to file amici brief filed by Shree Shakti Mandir of Atlanta, et al. GRANTED. Justice Breyer took no part in the consideration or decision of this motion.
  2. Apr 26 2021
    Petition DENIED. Justice Breyer took no part in the consideration or decision of this petition.
  3. Apr 07 2021
    DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 4/23/2021.
  4. Apr 01 2021
    Reply of petitioner California Parents for the Equalization of Educational Materials filed.
  5. Mar 19 2021
    Brief of respondents Tom Torlakson, et al. in opposition filed.
  6. Mar 18 2021
    Motion of Shree Shakti Mandir of Atlanta, et al. for leave to file amici brief not accepted for filing. (Corrected version submitted) (March 29, 2021)
  7. Mar 17 2021
    Motion for leave to file amici brief filed by Shree Shakti Mandir of Atlanta, et al. (March 23, 2021)
  8. Feb 16 2021
    Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due March 22, 2021)