Supreme Court of the United States · Official docket →
Rajeh A. Saadeh v. New Jersey State Bar Association
Paid petition · Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division, No. A-2201-22 · judgment December 20, 2024
(petition-stage, structural)
Well below the 4.1% base rate, with no standout signals pointing toward a grant.
Question presented
A bar association reserves leadership positions for members of specific minority groups. These set-asides violate the State’s antidiscrimination law. But below, the court deemed this otherwise illegal discrimination protected by the First Amendment because the setasides help “express” the bar association’s commitment to “diversity.” The question presented is: Whether the First Amendment overrides antidiscrimination laws when the discrimination furthers the defendant’s views about “diversity,” “equity,” or “inclusion.”
Counsel of record
For petitioner
Cameron Thomas Norris
Consovoy McCarthy PLLC
For respondent
Lawrence S. Lustberg
FBT Gibbons LLP
Proceedings
- Jun 22 2026The Solicitor General is invited to file a brief in this case expressing the views of the United States.
- Jun 08 2026Letter dated June 8, 2026 submitted by counsel for petitioner under Rule 32.3 filed. (Distributed)
- Jun 02 2026DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 6/18/2026.
- Jun 02 2026Reply of petitioner Rajeh A. Saadeh filed. (Distributed)
- Jun 02 2026Letter Requesting Lodging of Rajeh A. Saadeh not accepted for filing. (June 05, 2026) See Rule 32.3
- May 26 2026Brief of respondent NJ State Bar Assn. in opposition filed.
- May 26 2026Waiver of the 14-day waiting period for the distribution of the petition pursuant to Rule 15.5 filed by petitioner.
- Apr 30 2026Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted in part and the time is extended to and including May 26, 2026.
- Apr 29 2026Motion to extend the time to file a response from May 22, 2026 to June 22, 2026, submitted to The Clerk.
- Apr 29 2026Response to motion to extend the time to file a response from petitioner filed.
- Apr 14 2026Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including May 22, 2026.
- Apr 11 2026Motion to extend the time to file a response from April 22, 2026 to May 22, 2026, submitted to The Clerk.
- Mar 24 2026Brief amicus curiae of Manhattan Institute filed.
- Mar 23 2026Response Requested. (Due April 22, 2026)
- Mar 23 2026Brief amicus curiae of America First Legal Foundation filed.
- Mar 23 2026Amicus brief of West Virginia and 17 Other States not accepted for filing. (To be corrected - March 25, 2026)
- Mar 23 2026Brief amici curiae of West Virginia, et al. filed. (Corrected)
- Mar 17 2026DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 4/2/2026.
- Mar 17 2026Brief amici curiae of Students for Fair Admissions, et al. filed. (Distributed)
- Mar 13 2026Waiver of right of respondent NJ State Bar Assn. to respond filed.
- Feb 13 2026Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due March 26, 2026)
- Jan 09 2026Application (25A626) granted by Justice Alito extending the time to file until February 16, 2026.
- Jan 06 2026Application (25A626) to extend further the time from January 17, 2026 to February 16, 2026, submitted to Justice Alito.
- Dec 01 2025Application (25A626) granted by Justice Alito extending the time to file until January 17, 2026.
- Nov 24 2025Application (25A626) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from December 18, 2025 to January 20, 2026, submitted to Justice Alito.