January 10, 2025
Willkie recently filed a pro bono amicus brief on behalf of Representatives Troy Carter, Terri Sewell, Bennie Thompson, and Valerie Foushee in Robinson v. Callais, a case currently pending before the United States Supreme Court. In Robinson, the Supreme Court will consider the constitutionality of a congressional redistricting map drawn by the Louisiana legislature, which created the state’s second majority-Black district.
Louisiana’s previous map had been preliminarily enjoined by the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, which had determined the map was likely out of compliance with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The Supreme Court’s decision figures to have a significant impact on what factors a state legislature may consider in their districting plans as well as the future of majority-minority districts nationwide.
Drawing from the representatives’ own experiences, the amicus brief highlights how majority-minority districts play a crucial role in advancing interracial collaboration and bipartisanship. The diverse representatives that majority-minority district voters elect promote valuable dialogue both within and outside the halls of Congress, and the brief argues that this unique perspective would be lost if maps like Louisiana’s were deemed unconstitutional. Likewise, the brief documents how majority-minority districts can foster bipartisanship, collecting the legislative accomplishments that the amici have achieved through reaching across the aisle.
The case is set for oral argument later this year.
The Willkie team was comprised of partner LaRue Robinson, associates Breanna Smith-Bonsu, Lenore Hipsher and Luke Angelillo, and law clerk Bowen Chang.
Louisiana’s previous map had been preliminarily enjoined by the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, which had determined the map was likely out of compliance with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The Supreme Court’s decision figures to have a significant impact on what factors a state legislature may consider in their districting plans as well as the future of majority-minority districts nationwide.
Drawing from the representatives’ own experiences, the amicus brief highlights how majority-minority districts play a crucial role in advancing interracial collaboration and bipartisanship. The diverse representatives that majority-minority district voters elect promote valuable dialogue both within and outside the halls of Congress, and the brief argues that this unique perspective would be lost if maps like Louisiana’s were deemed unconstitutional. Likewise, the brief documents how majority-minority districts can foster bipartisanship, collecting the legislative accomplishments that the amici have achieved through reaching across the aisle.
The case is set for oral argument later this year.
The Willkie team was comprised of partner LaRue Robinson, associates Breanna Smith-Bonsu, Lenore Hipsher and Luke Angelillo, and law clerk Bowen Chang.
