No. 25-819

Jeanne Hedgepeth v. James A. Britton, et al.

Lower Court: Seventh Circuit
Docketed: 2026-01-12
Status: Pending
Type: Paid
Amici (8)Response RequestedResponse Waived Experienced Counsel
Tags: first-amendment free-speech pickering-balancing-test political-speech public-employee viewpoint-discrimination
Latest Conference: N/A
Question Presented (from Petition)

Whether and in what circumstances public employers may discipline employees based on their expression of controversial views while off the job.

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether and in what circumstances public employers may discipline employees based on their expression of controversial views while off the job

Docket Entries

2026-04-10
Brief of James A. Britton, et al. in opposition submitted.
2026-03-11
Brief amicus curiae of Liberty Justice Center filed.
2026-03-11
Brief amici curiae of Pacific Legal Foundation, et al. filed.
2026-03-11
Brief amicus curiae of Cato Institute filed.
2026-03-11
Brief amici curiae of Manhattan Institute, et al. filed.
2026-03-11
Brief amicus curiae of The Equal Protection Project filed.
2026-03-11
Amicus brief of Liberty Justice Center submitted.
2026-03-11
Amicus brief of Cato Institute submitted.
2026-03-11
Amicus brief of Pacific Legal Foundation, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, and The Upper Midwest Law Center submitted.
2026-03-11
Amicus brief of Manhattan Institute, Southeastern Legal Foundation, and Defense of Freedom Institute submitted.
2026-03-11
Amicus brief of The Equal Protection Project submitted.
2026-03-02
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including April 10, 2026.
2026-02-27
Motion of James A. Britton, et al. for an extension of time submitted.
2026-02-27
Motion to extend the time to file a response from March 11, 2026 to April 10, 2026, submitted to The Clerk.
2026-02-11
Brief amicus curiae of American Center for Law and Justice filed.
2026-02-11
Brief amicus curiae of The American Center for Law and Justice filed.
2026-02-11
Brief amicus curiae of The Buckeye Institute filed.
2026-02-11
Amicus brief of The American Center for Law and Justice submitted.
2026-02-11
Amicus brief of The Buckeye Institute submitted.
2026-02-09
Response Requested. (Due March 11, 2026)
2026-02-03
Letter received from Jeanne Hedgepeth.
2026-02-03
Letter of Jeanne Hedgepeth submitted.
2026-01-28
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 2/20/2026.
2026-01-20
Waiver of right of respondent James A. Britton, et al. to respond filed.
2026-01-20
Waiver of James A. Britton, et al. of right to respond submitted.
2026-01-08
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due February 11, 2026)
2025-11-17
Application (25A562) granted by Justice Barrett extending the time to file until January 8, 2026.
2025-11-12
Application (25A562) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from November 24, 2025 to January 8, 2026, submitted to Justice Barrett.

Attorneys

Cato Institute
Thomas Arthur BerryCato Institute, Amicus
James A. Britton, et al.
William R. PokornyFranczek P.C., Respondent
Jeanne Hedgepeth
Paul D. ClementClement & Murphy, PLLC, Petitioner
Liberty Justice Center
Jeffrey Michael SchwabLiberty Justice Center, Amicus
Manhattan Institute, Southeastern Legal Foundation, and Defense of Freedom Institute
Ilya ShapiroManhattan Institute, Amicus
Pacific Legal Foundation, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, and The Upper Midwest Law Center
Ethan Winfred BlevinsPacific Legal Foundation, Amicus
The American Center for Law and Justice
Jay Alan SekulowAmerican Center for Law and Justice, Amicus
The Buckeye Institute
David Christian TryonThe Buckeye Institute, Amicus
The Equal Protection Project
Ronald Edmund CahillBarnes & Thornburg, Amicus