Supreme Court of the United States · Official docket →
Allison Sydney Brown v. Washington University, et al.
Paid petition · United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, No. 25-1887 · judgment February 23, 2026
Before the decision, well below the 4.1% base rate: the model weighted this down for a self-represented petitioner.
Question presented
The Due Process Clause permits federal courts to exercise specific personal jurisdiction over a nonresident defendant when the plaintiffs claims “arise out of or relate to the defendant’s contacts with the forum.” Ford Motor Co. v. Montana Eighth Judicial District Court, 592 U.S. 351 (2021). The question presented is: Whether the “arise out of or relate to” requirement for specific personal jurisdiction over a non-resident defendant is met when plaintiffs claims arise from or are related to the defendant’s virtual activity within the forum?
Counsel of record
For petitioner
Allison Sydney Brown
For respondent
Winthrop Blackstone Reed III
Lewis Rice LLC
Case
Subject area
Due Process (estimated from the questions presented, in the Supreme Court Database’s categories)
Conference history
Distributed for 1 conference
Order
Order list, October 5, 2026 · Certiorari denied
Proceedings
- Oct 05 2026Petition DENIED.
- Jul 08 2026DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 9/28/2026.
- Jul 01 2026Waiver of right of respondent The Washington University, et al. to respond filed.
- May 28 2026Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due July 6, 2026)