No. 25-1120

Michael Hild v. United States

Lower Court: Second Circuit
Docketed: 2026-03-25
Status: Pending
Type: Paid
Response Waived
Tags: conflict-of-interest criminal-procedure Cuyler-v-Sullivan habeas-corpus ineffective-assistance-of-counsel sixth-amendment
Latest Conference: N/A
Question Presented (from Petition)

Whether the framework from Cuyler v. Sullivan, 446 U.S. 335 (1980) —where this Court held that a defendant alleging ineffective assistance of counsel based on a lawyer's conflict of interest need not demonstrate outcome-determinative prejudice to obtain relief —applies only when a defense lawyer represents multiple clients with conflicting interests, or instead applies to other conflicts, such as personal conflicts of interest?

If the Sullivan framework applies to personal interest conflicts, whether —as endorsed by the Second Circuit below —a defendant seeking to prove an actual conflict must show that his counsel possessed a secret desire for conviction?

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the Cuyler v. Sullivan framework for ineffective assistance of counsel based on conflicts of interest applies to personal conflicts of interest, and whether a defendant must prove counsel possessed a secret desire for conviction to establish an actual conflict

Docket Entries

2026-04-01
Waiver of United States of right to respond submitted.
2026-04-01
Waiver of right of respondent United States to respond filed.
2026-03-23
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due April 24, 2026)

Attorneys

Michael Hild
Brian Adam JacobsMorvillo Abramowitz Grand Iason & Anello P.C., Petitioner
United States
D. John SauerSolicitor General, Respondent