By Andrew H. PerellisJeryl L. Olson, and Patrick D. Joyce

Seyfarth Synopsis: Rather than providing clarity, the Supreme Court introduced substantial uncertainty into the NPDES permitting process involving situations where a point source discharge first enters groundwater and then migrates some distance – short or long – before discharging into a “navigable water” that is subject
Continue Reading Murky Water Ahead: SCOTUS Rules Contaminant Discharges to Groundwater “May” or “May Not” Require NPDES Permit

By Andrew H. Perellis, Joshua M. Henderson, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis:  The U.S. Supreme Court upheld this week a key component of administrative law that tells judges to defer to an executive agency’s interpretation of its own ambiguous regulation.  Kisor v. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, No. 18-15 (US June 26,
Continue Reading Supreme Court Upholds “Auer” Doctrine of Deferring to Agency’s Interpretation of its Own Ambiguous Regulation, While Imposing Limitations of When Deference is Triggered

By Andrew H. Perellis, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis:  The U.S. Supreme Court agreed this week to reconsider a key precedent of administrative law that tells judges to defer to an agency’s interpretation of its own ambiguous regulation, taking up a challenge to the so-called “Auer” or “Seminole Rock” deference.  The Auer deference
Continue Reading Supreme Court To Reconsider ‘Auer’ Deference

By Andrew H. Perellis and Patrick D. Joyce

US Supreme Court Capitol Hill Daytime Washington DCIn the recently released decision in Perez v. Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), 575 U.S. ____, 135 S.Ct. 1199 (2015), Supreme Court Justices Scalia and Thomas expressed their discontent with agency deference under the “Auer doctrine.”

Another Seyfarth blog, the Wage & Hour Litigation Blog, discusses the major holding
Continue Reading Judicial Deference to Informal Agency Interpretations: Could this be the Beginning of the End for Auer?