85 years have passed since the death of Justice Willis Van Devanter, a notable figure on the Supreme Court from 1911 to 1937. He was a member of the conservative bloc of justices known as the “Four Horsemen” during Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s presidency (learn more). In current developments, the Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling soon on a case concerning California’s parental notification policies linked to students’ preferred names or pronouns (details here).
Justice Sonia Sotomayor will be receiving a lifetime achievement award at an event hosted by the Japanese American Bar Association in Los Angeles (event details). Meanwhile, the Court has yet to announce the release date for its next set of opinions, which might come as soon as February 20, aligning with its regular schedule.
In the broader judicial landscape, the ongoing review of the Trump administration’s immigration detention policy saw an important decision by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold the Trump administration’s approach. This decision might prompt the Supreme Court to take up the issue given its controversial nature, especially after numerous lower courts have found it unlawful (Reuters report).
Elsewhere, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson recently attended the Grammys following her nomination for the best audiobook narration category, where she lost to the Dalai Lama. Her memoir, “Lovely One,” was nominated for this honor (further reading). Justice Samuel Alito’s upcoming book, slated for an October release, will present his originalist perspective on the Constitution and its relevance today (book details).
For legal professionals closely watching redistricting cases, the Supreme Court has allowed the use of new maps in states like Texas and California for the upcoming 2026 elections. These developments occur against an ongoing litigation backdrop that will likely garner substantial attention, particularly concerning the anticipated Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais (case information).
Additional insights and coverage of these developments are available at the SCOTUSblog.