Supreme Court of the United States · Official docket →
James J. Decoulos v. Board of Registration of Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup Professionals, et al.
Paid petition · Appeals Court of Massachusetts, No. 23-P-663 · judgment November 13, 2024
Certiorari denied · October 6, 2025
Pre-decision estimate: 0% cert probability
Before the decision, well below the 4.1% base rate, with no standout signals pointing toward a grant.
Question presented
Whether a state court violates the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment when it defers to a state agency’s interpretation of statutes and regulations in a professional disciplinary proceeding, contrary to this Court’s ruling in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, 603 U.S. 369 (2024), which requires courts to exercise independent judgment when interpreting the law.
Counsel of record
For petitioner
James J. Decoulos
For respondent
Christine Marie Fimognari
Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General
Proceedings
- Oct 06 2025Petition DENIED.
- Jul 16 2025DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 9/29/2025.
- Jul 09 2025Waiver of right of respondent Board of Registration of Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup Professionals, and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to respond filed.
- Jun 23 2025Waiver of Board of Registration of Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup Professionals, and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection not accepted for filing. (June 23, 2025)
- Jun 13 2025Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due July 25, 2025)
- Apr 10 2025Application (24A967) granted by Justice Jackson extending the time to file until June 15, 2025.
- Apr 04 2025Application (24A967) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from April 16, 2025 to June 15, 2025, submitted to Justice Jackson.