From: William H. Rehnquist
To: Lewis F. Powell
Copied: None
On: December 2nd, 1980
Action: Endorse Another Justice's SuggestionMemos where a justice states agreement with another justice's suggestion to the majority opinion author (e.g., I am about where Justice X is, agree with Justice X's letter to you, I have no problem with Justice X's suggestion, agree with another justice's comment, is Justice X's suggestion ok with you). The identity of the justice whose suggestion is endorsed is located in the JOINED variable.
Action: Endorse Separate OpinionMemo states that justice endorses a separate opinion, but without joining it (e.g., in general agreement with separate opinion, likely to join separate opinion if you write it; this code applies to any type of separate opinion. The identity of the justice whose opinion is endorsed is located in the JOINED variable.
Action: Join Majority OpinionMemos 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.
Action: Disagree with Another Justice's SuggestionMemo states that the justice disagrees with another justice's suggestion to the majority opinion author. The identity of the justice whose suggestion is countered is located in the JOINED variable.