Conkright v. Frommert

Holding: An employee health plan often has an administrator who must interpret its terms, and in some circumstances courts will defer to the administrator's reading. The Court held here that a plan administrator's interpretation is entitled to deference, even when the administrator had previously adopted a different interpretation that a court found erroneous.

Judgment: Reversed and remanded, 5-3, in an opinion by Chief Justice John Roberts on April 21, 2010. Justice Breyer dissented, joined by Justices Stevens and Ginsburg. Justice Sotomayor took no part in the decision.

Briefs and Documents

Merits Briefs

• Brief for Petitioner Sally L. Conkright, Patricia M. Nazemetz, Lawrence M. Becker and Xerox Corporation Retirement Income Guarantee Plan
• Brief for Respondent Paul J. Frommert, et al.
• Reply Brief for Petitioner Sally L. Conkright, Patricia M. Nazemetz, Lawrence M. Becker and Xerox Corporation Retirement Income Guarantee Plan

Amicus Briefs

• Brief for the Erisa Industry Committee and American Benefits Council in Support of Petitioner
• Brief for the Business Roundtable, Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, and the National Association of Manufacturers in Support of Petitioner in Support of Petitioner
• Brief for Janice C. Amara, Gisela R. Broderick, Annette S. Glanz, et al., and the Pension Rights Center in Support of Respondents
• Brief for AARP in Support of Respondents
• Brief for National Employment Lawyers Association in Support of Respondents
• Brief for the United States of America in Support of Respondents
• Brief for Law Professors in Support of Respondents
• Brief for Richard C. Capone in Support of Respondents

Certiorari-stage documents

• Opinion below (2d Circuit)
• Petition for certiorari
• Brief in opposition
• Brief in opposition of 62 respondents and 7 cross-respondents
• Amicus brief of Business Roundtable
• Amicus brief of the United States
• Petitioner's reply
• Petitioner's supplemental brief