SCOTUS Decides Dupree v. Younger Favorably for Defense Bar

May 25, 2023 / News / Writing and Speaking

By Melinda S. Kollross

The U.S. Supreme Court today ruled in Dupree v. Younger, No. 22-210, that parties who lost on purely legal issues on summary judgment do not need to renew those legal arguments after trial in order to appeal them. The contrary rule followed in many circuits created a trap for the unwary causing parties to lose the opportunity to appeal purely legal issues decided at summary judgment. Defendants were overwhelmingly adversely impacted by this trap because plaintiffs file motions for summary judgment far less frequently. This is a very favorable decision for the rule of law and the defense bar. The case is available at: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/22-210_7mi8.pdf.

Despite this favorable ruling, we would still recommend that all such legal issues be raised in a post-trial motion because this is the prudent thing to do, as indicated by SCOTUS in its opinion:

Younger predicts that a separate preservation rule for legal issues will prove unworkable because the line between factual and legal questions can be “vexing” for courts and litigants. Pullman-Standard v. Swint, 456 U. S. 273, 288 (1982). That’s a fair concern, and it would not be surprising if “prudent counsel . . . make sure to renew their arguments in a Rule 50 motion” out of an abundance of caution.

It is also crucial to note that while Younger applies to trials in federal court, state preservation of error rules are often different. For example, in Illinois, all such issues legal or not, must be raised in a comprehensive post-trial motion following a jury trial, otherwise they will be forfeited for review. The crucial learning point here is to involve the services of an experienced appellate advocate at the post-trial phase, to insure that all errors are properly preserved for appeal.

  • Chicago

    Illinois 60603

    10 South LaSalle Street

    Chicago, Illinois 60603

    T: 312.855.1010 TF: 800.826.3505 F: 312.606.7777 Office Managing Partner: Dennis D. Fitzpatrick

  • New York

    New York 10005

    28 Liberty Street 39th Floor

    New York, New York 10005

    T: 212.805.3900 TF: 800.826.3505 F: 212.805.3939 Office Managing Partner: Carl M. Perri

  • Mission Viejo

    California 92691

    27285 Las Ramblas

    Suite 200

    Mission Viejo, California 92691

    T: 949.260.3100 TF: 800.826.3505 F: 949.260.3190 Office Managing Partner: Ian R. Feldman

  • Florham Park

    New Jersey 07932

    100 Campus Drive

    Florham Park, New Jersey 07932

    T: 973.410.4130 TF: 800.826.3505 F: 973.410.4169 Office Managing Partner: Carl M. Perri

  • Michigan City

    Indiana 46360

    200 Commerce Square

    Michigan City, Indiana 46360

    T: 219.262.6106 TF: 800.826.3505 F: 312.606.7777 Office Managing Partners: Paige M. Neel, Kimbley A. Kearney

  • Milwaukee

    Wisconsin 53202

    250 E. Wisconsin Avenue

    Suite 1800

    Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202

    T: 414.279.5525 TF: 800.826.3505 F: 312.606.7777 Office Managing Partner: James M. Weck

  • Stamford

    Connecticut 06902

    68 Southfield Avenue

    2 Stamford Landing Suite 100

    Stamford, Connecticut 06902

    T: 203.921.0303 TF: 800.826.3505 F: 212.805.3939 Office Managing Partner: Matthew J. Van Dusen

  • Tampa

    Florida 33609

    4830 West Kennedy Boulevard, One Urban Center

    Suite 600

    Tampa, Florida 33609

    T: 813.509.2578 TF: 800.826.3505 F: 312.606.7777 Office Managing Partner: Dennis D. Fitzpatrick Co-Managing Partner: Kelly M. Vogt

  • San Francisco

    California 94111

    100 Pine Street

    Suite 1250

    San Francisco, California 94111

    T: 415.287.2744 TF: 800.826.3505 F: 949.260.3190 Office Managing Partner: Ian R. Feldman

  • Houston

    Texas 77019

    2929 Allen Parkway

    American General Center, Suite 200

    Houston, Texas 77019

    T: 346.229.4612 TF: 800.826.3505 F: 312.606.7777 Office Managing Partner: Ramy P. Elmasri

  • Dallas

    Texas 75201

    325 N. Saint Paul Street

    Suite 3100

    Dallas, Texas 75201

    T: 469.942.8635 TF: 800.826.3505 F: 312.606.7777 Office Managing Partner: Ramy P. Elmasri

  • Boca Raton

    Florida 33434

    7777 Glades Road

    Suite 405

    Boca Raton, Florida 33434

    T: 561.765.5305 TF: 800.826.3505 F: 312.606.7777 Office Managing Partner: Dennis D. Fitzpatrick Co-Managing Partner: Kelly M. Vogt