Show / Hide Files

Nixon V. Administrator Of General Services (1976)

 

Document 1

From: William H. Rehnquist
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: October 5th, 1976
Action: Dissenting Opinion
This refers to a dissenting opinion draft, including dissents from denial of certiorari if in opinion form

Document 2

From: William H. Rehnquist
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: October 14th, 1976
Action: Dissenting Opinion
This refers to a dissenting opinion draft, including dissents from denial of certiorari if in opinion form

Document 3

From: Warren E. Burger
To: William H. Rehnquist
Copied: Conference
On: October 14th, 1976
Action: Join Dissent
Memos where a justice states that they join a dissenting opinion, including joining the dissent in part, joining a dissent from denial of cert, or joining a dissent at foot. The identity of the dissenting opinion author who receives the join is located in the JOINED variable.

Document 4

From: William H. Rehnquist
To: Warren E. Burger
Copied: Conference
On: April 18th, 1977
Action: Announcements of Opinion
This includes memos about the timing of a decision announcement (e.g., can we hold this case for a week; opinion should be handed down tomorrow; opinion not ready for case to come down; take as much time as you need); memos about the pace of opinion writing (e.g., a justice’s delay in a case or apologizing for a delay or holding up another justice); memo requesting that a justice make an announcement regarding an opinion

Document 5

From: Warren E. Burger
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: April 19th, 1977
Action: Announcements of Opinion
This includes memos about the timing of a decision announcement (e.g., can we hold this case for a week; opinion should be handed down tomorrow; opinion not ready for case to come down; take as much time as you need); memos about the pace of opinion writing (e.g., a justice’s delay in a case or apologizing for a delay or holding up another justice); memo requesting that a justice make an announcement regarding an opinion

Document 6

From: Warren E. Burger
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: April 19th, 1977
Action: Announcements of Opinion
This includes memos about the timing of a decision announcement (e.g., can we hold this case for a week; opinion should be handed down tomorrow; opinion not ready for case to come down; take as much time as you need); memos about the pace of opinion writing (e.g., a justice’s delay in a case or apologizing for a delay or holding up another justice); memo requesting that a justice make an announcement regarding an opinion

Document 7

From: Warren E. Burger
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: May 3rd, 1977
Action: Memo About Opinion Assignment
This excludes memos that assign the opinion (see Code 606), but includes memos where a justice expresses the view that a case should be reassigned or a response to a majority opinion assignment; justice may request that majority opinion not be assigned to that justice; a justice may question why the opinion was not assigned; a justice (perhaps the Chief Justice) may tell a justice to assign the opinion; a memo may discuss not assigning the opinion to any justice

Document 8

From: William J. Brennan, Jr.
To: Warren E. Burger
Copied: Conference
On: May 5th, 1977
Action: Majority Opinion Assignment
This may be an assignment of either the majority opinion or a memorandum opinion; memo may state that a justice has agreed to undertake the opinion of the Court; memo reassigns the case

Document 9

From: Warren E. Burger
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: May 26th, 1977
Action: Propose Disposition in Case (Vote in a Case)
DIG (dismiss cert as improvidently granted); want to reach merits instead of DIG; would not DIG; affirm; reverse; remand; vacate; moot; court lacks jurisdiction; conference vote; withhold vote for now; defer vote; adhere to conference vote; initial vote in case; change conference vote; memo asking how others' vote on disposition
Action: Will Write Dissenting Opinion
A memo where a justice states that he or she will circulate a dissenting opinion draft, including that a dissenting opinion will be out soon or that a revised draft of the dissenting opinion will be circulated; this also applies to statements responding to dissent assignments like will be glad to write dissent, self-assignment of dissent (e.g., we are in dissent and I will write it), or requesting permission to write dissent (e.g., is it ok if I write a dissent)

Document 10

From: William J. Brennan, Jr.
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 3rd, 1977
Action: Cover Memo to Separate Opinion
This indicates a cover memo to any separate opinion, including concurring, dissenting, or any other type of separate opinion

Document 11

From: William J. Brennan, Jr.
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 3rd, 1977
Action: Majority Opinion
This refers to a majority opinion draft

Document 12

From: Warren E. Burger
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 3rd, 1977
Action: Dissenting Opinion
This refers to a dissenting opinion draft, including dissents from denial of certiorari if in opinion form

Document 13

From: William J. Brennan, Jr.
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 6th, 1977
Action: Majority Opinion Author's Response
May be response to a suggestion, reservation, or a separate opinion; may also say that author will respond to another opinion; may state majority opinion author's change to opinion that was not prompted by another justice; may indicate that the opinion is different from the conference discussion; may be a circulation of a portion of the opinion (a footnote, multiple pages without circulating the whole opinion); may be a suggestion from the majority opinion author regarding several options for changing majority opinion; may be a suggestion from the author for a change that could be made to opinion

Document 14

From: Warren E. Burger
To: William J. Brennan, Jr.
Copied: Conference
On: June 6th, 1977
Action: Cover Memo to Separate Opinion
This indicates a cover memo to any separate opinion, including concurring, dissenting, or any other type of separate opinion

Document 15

From: William H. Rehnquist
To: William J. Brennan, Jr.
Copied: Conference
On: June 6th, 1977
Action: Will Write "Separate Opinion"
A memo where a justice states that he or she will circulate a "separate opinion" draft, including that a "separate opinion" will be out soon or that a revised draft of the "separate opinion" will be circulated

Document 16

From: Potter Stewart
To: William J. Brennan, Jr.
Copied: Conference
On: June 8th, 1977
Action: Join Majority If...
Justice sends memo to majority opinion author that states that the conditions under which the justice can or will not join the majority opinion; this includes memos with language like will join if..., will join the majority opinion if author makes changes suggested by another justice, or will join part of majority opinion if...; these memos may also state that a justice cannot join majority opinion if..., or could not join an opinion with a particular point, will withdraw join if...
Action: Suggestion to Majority Opinion
This includes memo with broad statements including that a justice cannot join the opinion, cannot join a part of the opinion, does not agree with the opinion, or has continuing doubts with the opinion; memos that indicate that the author's change is not enough; memos that make suggestions for specific changes to majority opinion or that express reservations about some aspect of the majority opinion; this code is also given for suggestions to memorandum opinions by an assigned author

Document 17

From: William H. Rehnquist
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 9th, 1977
Action: Dissenting Opinion
This refers to a dissenting opinion draft, including dissents from denial of certiorari if in opinion form

Document 18

From: Thurgood Marshall
To: William J. Brennan, Jr.
Copied: Conference
On: June 9th, 1977
Action: Join Majority Opinion
Memos where a justice joins the majority opinion includes please join me; I agree; I am still with you; I acquiesce; I will go along; I dissent but will be silent; graveyard join or dissent. This code includes join of memorandum opinions if it is written by the assigned author, orders if it disposes of case, decrees, per curiam opinions. It also includes statements that the justice joins, but subject to what others might write.

Document 19

From: Lewis F. Powell
To: William J. Brennan, Jr.
Copied: Conference
On: June 10th, 1977
Action: May Write "Separate Opinion"
A memo where a justice states that he or she may (or will probably) write a "separate opinion"
Action: Undecided
Justice states that he or she is undecided, including phrases like not ready to commit, need more time, not at rest, or to consider further

Document 20

From: William H. Rehnquist
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 13th, 1977
Action: Dissenting Opinion
This refers to a dissenting opinion draft, including dissents from denial of certiorari if in opinion form

Document 21

From: William J. Brennan, Jr.
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 14th, 1977
Action: Majority Opinion
This refers to a majority opinion draft

Document 22

From: William H. Rehnquist
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 15th, 1977
Action: Separate Opinion Author's Response
Circulation of Change to Separate Opinion (e.g., footnote, portion of opinion, adding paragraph); this occurs in a memo, not on a draft opinion; circulation of change to unlabeled opinion

Document 23

From: William J. Brennan, Jr.
To: Byron R. White
Copied: Conference
On: June 15th, 1977
Action: Majority Opinion Author's Response
May be response to a suggestion, reservation, or a separate opinion; may also say that author will respond to another opinion; may state majority opinion author's change to opinion that was not prompted by another justice; may indicate that the opinion is different from the conference discussion; may be a circulation of a portion of the opinion (a footnote, multiple pages without circulating the whole opinion); may be a suggestion from the majority opinion author regarding several options for changing majority opinion; may be a suggestion from the author for a change that could be made to opinion

Document 24

From: Byron R. White
To: William J. Brennan, Jr.
Copied: Conference
On: June 15th, 1977
Action: May Join Judgment
Memos where a justice states the inclination to join a judgment of the Court
Action: Suggestion to Majority Opinion
This includes memo with broad statements including that a justice cannot join the opinion, cannot join a part of the opinion, does not agree with the opinion, or has continuing doubts with the opinion; memos that indicate that the author's change is not enough; memos that make suggestions for specific changes to majority opinion or that express reservations about some aspect of the majority opinion; this code is also given for suggestions to memorandum opinions by an assigned author
Action: May Write Concurring Opinion
A memo where a justice states that he or she may (or will likely) write a concurring opinion; this also applies to opinions that concur in part, concurrences in judgment, or concurrences at foot.

Document 25

From: Byron R. White
To: William J. Brennan, Jr.
Copied: Conference
On: June 15th, 1977
Action: May Join Judgment
Memos where a justice states the inclination to join a judgment of the Court

Document 26

From: Warren E. Burger
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 16th, 1977
Action: Dissenting Opinion Author's Response
May be a response to a suggestion, majority opinion, or another separate opinion; it may say the author made changes and see the attached opinion; it may indicate the opinion has been changed although not prompted by someone else
Action: May Write Concurring Opinion
A memo where a justice states that he or she may (or will likely) write a concurring opinion; this also applies to opinions that concur in part, concurrences in judgment, or concurrences at foot.

Document 27

From: Potter Stewart
To: William J. Brennan, Jr.
Copied: Conference
On: June 17th, 1977
Action: Agree with Opinion Author
Memo expresses justice's agreement with a majority opinion author's proposal, footnote, or proposed change; justice might state that he or she is open to the change

Document 28

From: William H. Rehnquist
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 17th, 1977
Action: Separate Opinion Author's Response
Circulation of Change to Separate Opinion (e.g., footnote, portion of opinion, adding paragraph); this occurs in a memo, not on a draft opinion; circulation of change to unlabeled opinion

Document 29

From: John Paul Stevens
To: William J. Brennan, Jr.
Copied: Conference
On: June 17th, 1977
Action: Cover Memo to Separate Opinion
This indicates a cover memo to any separate opinion, including concurring, dissenting, or any other type of separate opinion

Document 30

From: Lewis F. Powell
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 17th, 1977
Action: Concur in Judgment in Part
This refers to an opinion that concurs in part with the judgment or result or that concurs in the judgment and concur in part

Document 31

From: John Paul Stevens
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 17th, 1977
Action: Concurring Opinion
This refers to a concurring opinion draft

Document 32

From: Warren E. Burger
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 17th, 1977
Action: May Write Concurring Opinion
A memo where a justice states that he or she may (or will likely) write a concurring opinion; this also applies to opinions that concur in part, concurrences in judgment, or concurrences at foot.

Document 33

From: Harry A. Blackmun
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 20th, 1977
Action: Concur in Judgment in Part
This refers to an opinion that concurs in part with the judgment or result or that concurs in the judgment and concur in part

Document 34

From: Harry A. Blackmun
To: William J. Brennan, Jr., Lewis F. Powell
Copied: None
On: June 20th, 1977
Action: Cover Memo to Separate Opinion
This indicates a cover memo to any separate opinion, including concurring, dissenting, or any other type of separate opinion
Action: Concurring Opinion Author's Response
May be response to a suggestion, the majority opinion, another separate opinion; it may say the author made changes and see the attached opinion; it may indicate the opinion has been changed although not prompted by someone else

Document 35

From: Byron R. White
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 20th, 1977
Action: Concurring Opinion
This refers to a concurring opinion draft

Document 36

From: William H. Rehnquist
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 20th, 1977
Action: Will Write Dissenting Opinion
A memo where a justice states that he or she will circulate a dissenting opinion draft, including that a dissenting opinion will be out soon or that a revised draft of the dissenting opinion will be circulated; this also applies to statements responding to dissent assignments like will be glad to write dissent, self-assignment of dissent (e.g., we are in dissent and I will write it), or requesting permission to write dissent (e.g., is it ok if I write a dissent)

Document 37

From: Lewis F. Powell
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 22nd, 1977
Action: Concur in Judgment in Part
This refers to an opinion that concurs in part with the judgment or result or that concurs in the judgment and concur in part

Document 38

From: William H. Rehnquist
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 22nd, 1977
Action: Dissenting Opinion
This refers to a dissenting opinion draft, including dissents from denial of certiorari if in opinion form

Document 39

From: John Paul Stevens
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 23rd, 1977
Action: Concurring Opinion
This refers to a concurring opinion draft

Document 40

From: William H. Rehnquist
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 23rd, 1977
Action: Separate Opinion Author's Response
Circulation of Change to Separate Opinion (e.g., footnote, portion of opinion, adding paragraph); this occurs in a memo, not on a draft opinion; circulation of change to unlabeled opinion

Document 41

From: Byron R. White
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 24th, 1977
Action: Concurring Opinion
This refers to a concurring opinion draft

Document 42

From: William J. Brennan, Jr.
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 24th, 1977
Action: Majority Opinion
This refers to a majority opinion draft

Document 43

From: Warren E. Burger
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 24th, 1977
Action: Cover Memo to Separate Opinion
This indicates a cover memo to any separate opinion, including concurring, dissenting, or any other type of separate opinion

Document 44

From: Warren E. Burger
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 24th, 1977
Action: Cover Memo to Separate Opinion
This indicates a cover memo to any separate opinion, including concurring, dissenting, or any other type of separate opinion

Document 45

From: Harry A. Blackmun
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 24th, 1977
Action: Concur in Judgment in Part
This refers to an opinion that concurs in part with the judgment or result or that concurs in the judgment and concur in part

Document 46

From: William H. Rehnquist
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 24th, 1977
Action: Dissenting Opinion
This refers to a dissenting opinion draft, including dissents from denial of certiorari if in opinion form

Document 47

From: Warren E. Burger
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 24th, 1977
Action: Dissenting Opinion
This refers to a dissenting opinion draft, including dissents from denial of certiorari if in opinion form

Document 48

From: Lewis F. Powell
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 25th, 1977
Action: Concur in Judgment in Part
This refers to an opinion that concurs in part with the judgment or result or that concurs in the judgment and concur in part

Document 49

From: John Paul Stevens
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 27th, 1977
Action: Separate Opinion Author's Response
Circulation of Change to Separate Opinion (e.g., footnote, portion of opinion, adding paragraph); this occurs in a memo, not on a draft opinion; circulation of change to unlabeled opinion

Document 50

From: William H. Rehnquist
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 27th, 1977
Action: Dissenting Opinion
This refers to a dissenting opinion draft, including dissents from denial of certiorari if in opinion form

Document 51

From: Warren E. Burger
To: Conference
Copied: None
On: June 27th, 1977
Action: Dissenting Opinion
This refers to a dissenting opinion draft, including dissents from denial of certiorari if in opinion form