Ketanji Brown Jackson

Rule Changes

Dissented, joined by Sotomayor and Kagan

Three weeks before his release, Louisiana prison guards handcuffed Damon Landor to a chair and shaved off the dreadlocks he had grown for nearly 20 years. He had handed them a court ruling saying his faith protected his hair. A guard threw it in the trash.

Updated Jun 23

Rule Changes

Dissented, joined by Sotomayor in full and Kagan in part

For decades, investors could sue a mutual fund directly to undo contracts that broke federal fund law. On June 11, 2026, the Supreme Court closed that door. By a 6-3 vote, the justices ruled that ordinary investors have no right to sue under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the law that governs mutual funds and similar pooled investments.

Updated Jun 11

Rule Changes

Filed concurrence in judgment

For decades, more than half of U.S. states required injured patients to obtain expert affidavits before filing medical malpractice lawsuits—a screening mechanism designed to filter frivolous claims. On January 20, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that these state requirements don't apply when patients sue in federal court.

Updated May 22

Rule Changes

Filed concurring opinion in Bowe v. United States

The Supreme Court just handed federal prisoners a major win, ruling 5-4 that they can challenge their convictions repeatedly—something most courts have blocked for decades. Michael Bowe, serving 24 years for armed robbery, asked to revisit his case based on new legal precedent. The Eleventh Circuit said no. On January 9, 2026, the Supreme Court said yes, declaring that a key provision of the 1996 anti-terrorism law applies only to state prisoners, not federal inmates.

Updated May 20

Rule Changes

Liberal justice emphasizing historical practice and congressional design of independent agencies

In 2025, President Donald Trump challenged the 1935 Humphrey's Executor precedent by firing and removing independent agency officials before their terms expired.

Updated May 10