No. 24-856

Cisco Systems, Inc., et al. v. Doe I, et al.

Lower Court: Ninth Circuit
Docketed: 2025-02-11
Status: Granted
Type: Paid
CVSGAmici (7)Response RequestedResponse WaivedRelisted (3) Experienced Counsel
Tags: aiding-and-abetting alien-tort-statute mens-rea private-right-of-action statutory-interpretation torture-victim-protection-act
Key Terms:
AdministrativeLaw
Latest Conference: 2026-01-09 (distributed 3 times)
Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the Alien Tort Statute allows a judicially-implied private right of action for aiding and abetting, and whether mere knowledge rather than purpose suffices to show the requisite mens rea

Question Presented (from Petition)

1. Whether the Alien Tort Statute (“ATS”), 28 U.S.C. § 1350, allows a judicially-implied private right of action for aiding and abetting. 2. Whether, if ATS aiding-and-abetting claims are cognizable, mere knowledge rather than purpose suffices to show the requisite mens rea . 3. Whether the Torture Victim Protection Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1350 note, allows a judicially-implied private right of action for aiding and abetting.

Docket Entries

2026-02-11
SET FOR ARGUMENT on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
2026-01-09
Petition GRANTED limited to Questions 1 and 3 presented by the petition.
2025-12-23
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/9/2026.
2025-12-22
Supplemental brief of respondents Doe I, et al. filed. (Distributed)
2025-12-22
Supplemental Brief of Doe I, et al. submitted.
2025-12-09
Brief amicus curiae of United States filed.
2025-12-09
Amicus brief of United States submitted.
2025-05-27
The Solicitor General is invited to file a brief in this case expressing the views of the United States.
2025-05-06
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 5/22/2025.
2025-05-05
Reply of petitioners Cisco Systems, Inc., et al. filed. (Distributed)
2025-05-05
Reply of Cisco Systems, Inc., et al. submitted.
2025-04-21
2025-04-21
2025-04-21
Amicus brief of Congressman Chris Smith submitted.
2025-04-21
Brief of Doe I, et al. in opposition submitted.
2025-03-21
Response Requested. (Due April 21, 2025)
2025-03-19
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 4/4/2025.
2025-03-13
Brief amicus curiae of American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce filed.
2025-03-13
Brief amici curiae of The Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, et al. filed.
2025-03-13
2025-03-13
2025-03-13
Amicus brief of The Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, Business Roundtable, The National Association of Manufacturers, and TechNet submitted.
2025-03-13
Amicus brief of Law Professors Samuel Estreicher and Michael D. Ramsey submitted.
2025-03-13
Amicus brief of American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce submitted.
2025-02-28
Waiver of right of respondent Doe I, et al. to respond filed.
2025-02-28
2025-02-28
Waiver of Doe I, et al. of right to respond submitted.
2025-02-28
Amicus brief of Washington Legal Foundation submitted.
2025-01-31
2024-11-06
Application (24A450) granted by Justice Kagan extending the time to file until January 31, 2025.
2024-11-01
Application (24A450) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from December 2, 2024 to January 31, 2025, submitted to Justice Kagan.

Attorneys

American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce
R. Trent McCotterSeparation of Powers Clinic,Columbus School of Law, Amicus
R. Trent McCotterSeparation of Powers Clinic,Columbus School of Law, Amicus
R. Trent McCotterSeparation of Powers Clinic,Columbus School of Law, Amicus
Chevron Corporation, Dole Food Co., Inc., International Business Machines Corp., Merck & Co. Inc.
Jack L. Goldsmith — Amicus
Jack L. Goldsmith — Amicus
Jack L. Goldsmith — Amicus
Cisco Systems, Inc., et al.
Christopher George MichelQuinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, Petitioner
Christopher George MichelQuinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, Petitioner
Christopher George MichelQuinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, Petitioner
Congressman Chris Smith
Laura Kathleen RobertsMarcus & Roberts, LLP, Amicus
Laura Kathleen RobertsMarcus & Roberts, LLP, Amicus
Laura Kathleen RobertsMarcus & Roberts, LLP, Amicus
Doe I, et al.
Paul Lindsey HoffmanSchonbrun Seplow Harris Hoffman & Zeldes LLP, Respondent
Paul Lindsey HoffmanSchonbrun Seplow Harris Hoffman & Zeldes LLP, Respondent
Paul Lindsey HoffmanSchonbrun Seplow Harris Hoffman & Zeldes LLP, Respondent
Law Professors Samuel Estreicher and Michael D. Ramsey
Daniel Martin SullivanHolwell Shuster & Goldberg LLP, Amicus
Daniel Martin SullivanHolwell Shuster & Goldberg LLP, Amicus
Daniel Martin SullivanHolwell Shuster & Goldberg LLP, Amicus
The Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, Business Roundtable, The National Association of Manufacturers, and TechNet
Ilana Hope EisensteinDLA Piper LLP (US), Amicus
Ilana Hope EisensteinDLA Piper LLP (US), Amicus
Ilana Hope EisensteinDLA Piper LLP (US), Amicus
United States
D. John SauerSolicitor General, Amicus
D. John SauerSolicitor General, Amicus
D. John SauerSolicitor General, Amicus
Washington Legal Foundation
Cory L. Andrews — Amicus
Cory L. Andrews — Amicus
Cory L. Andrews — Amicus