Supreme Court of the United States · Official docket →
Leah Gilliam v. David Gerregano, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Revenue, et al.
Paid petition · Supreme Court of Tennessee, Middle Division, No. M2022-00083-SC-R11-CV · judgment February 26, 2025
Certiorari denied · December 8, 2025
Pre-decision estimate: 2% cert probability
Before the decision, well below the 4.1% base rate, with no standout signals pointing toward a grant.
Question presented
Whether the messages paid for and chosen by car owners on personalized license plates—commonly known as “vanity” plates—are government speech.
Counsel of record
For petitioner
John J. Bursch
Bursch Law PLLC
For respondent
James Matthew Rice
Office of Tennessee Attorney General
Proceedings
- Dec 08 2025Petition DENIED.
- Nov 18 2025DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 12/5/2025.
- Nov 18 2025Reply of petitioner Leah Gilliam filed. (Distributed)
- Nov 03 2025Brief of respondents David Gerregano, et al. in opposition filed.
- Oct 06 2025Brief amicus curiae of Protect the First Foundation filed.
- Sep 11 2025Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including November 5, 2025.
- Sep 09 2025Motion to extend the time to file a response from October 6, 2025 to November 5, 2025, submitted to The Clerk.
- Sep 05 2025Response Requested. (Due October 6, 2025)
- Sep 03 2025DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 9/29/2025.
- Aug 28 2025Brief amici curiae of Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty Inc., et al. filed.
- Aug 28 2025Brief amicus curiae of American Center for Law & Justice filed.
- Aug 28 2025Brief amici curiae of Foundation for Individual Rights, et al. filed.
- Aug 27 2025Waiver of right of respondent David Gerregano, et al. to respond filed.
- Aug 26 2025Brief amici curiae of Simon Tam, et al. filed.
- Jul 25 2025Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due August 28, 2025)
- May 15 2025Application (24A1104) granted by Justice Kavanaugh extending the time to file until July 26, 2025.
- May 13 2025Application (24A1104) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from May 27, 2025 to July 26, 2025, submitted to Justice Kavanaugh.