Conkright v. Frommert

• Decision Date: 30 April 2009
• Docket Number: No. 08–810 08A884.,08–810 08A884.
• Citation: 129 S.Ct. 1861 (Mem),173 L.Ed.2d 865,556 U.S. 1401
• Parties: Sally L. CONKRIGHT et al. v. Paul J. FROMMERT et al.
• Court: U.S. Supreme Court

556 U.S. 1401

129 S.Ct. 1861 (Mem)

173 L.Ed.2d 865

Sally L. CONKRIGHT et al.

v.Paul J. FROMMERT et al.

No. 08–810 08A884.

Supreme Court of the United States

April 30, 2009.

Opinion

Justice GINSBURG, Circuit Justice.

Sally L. Conkright, Administrator of the Xerox Corporation Pension Plan, et al., have reapplied for a stay of the mandate of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. In their initial application, filed October 16, 2008, the applicants sought a stay pending the filing and disposition of their petition for certiorari. The Second Circuit's decision in their case, 535 F.3d 111 (2008), they asserted, was erroneous, created a Circuit conflict, and would cause irreparable harm if given effect. Without a stay, the applicants explained, they would be required to make additional payments to dozens of pension plan beneficiaries—money that could prove difficult to recoup if this Court were to grant certiorari and rule in their favor.

Acting in my capacity as Circuit Justice, I denied the stay application on October 20, 2008. Denial of such in-chambers stay applications is the norm; relief is granted only in “extraordinary cases.” Rostker v. Goldberg, 448 U.S. 1306, 1308, 101 S.Ct. 1, 65 L.Ed.2d 1098 (1980) (Brennan, J., in chambers). Specifically, the applicant must demonstrate (1) “a ‘reasonable probability’ that four Justices will consider the issue sufficiently meritorious to grant certiorari or to note probable jurisdiction”; (2) “a fair prospect that a majority of the Court will conclude that the decision below was erroneous”; and (3) a likelihood that “irreparable harm [will] result from the denial of a stay.” Ibid . In addition, “in a close case it may be appropriate to ‘balance the equities'—to explore the relative harms to applicant and respondent, as well as the interests of the public at large.” Ibid . I earlier determined, taking account of the Second Circuit's evaluation, that this case did not meet the above-stated criteria.

The applicants seek reconsideration based on a change in circumstances. Specifically, after I denied their initial application, the applicants filed their petition for certiorari, and, on March 2, 2009, the Court called for the views of the Solicitor General (CVSG). The Solicitor General has yet to respond.

According to the applicants, a stay is now in order because the Court's invitation to the Solicitor General—a step taken in only a small fraction of cases—establishes a “reasonable probability” that certiorari will be...