Reflections on Our Work Being Cited by the U.S. Supreme Court
Earlier this year, I experienced one of those moments that remind you why we do what we do. In September 2025, the United States Supreme Court cited legal work that Eric Lewellyn and I authored in its decision in Keathley v. Buddy Ayers Construction, Inc. You can view the opinion on the Supreme Court’s website here.
A Brief Background on Keathley v. United States
The Keathley case addressed key questions about the scope of administrative authority and procedural due process in federal enforcement proceedings. It examined how far an agency can go in interpreting statutory limits when imposing penalties and what procedural safeguards apply when individuals challenge those actions.
In its decision, the Court cited our work analyzing those same principles – particularly how procedural protections and statutory interpretation intersect when agencies exercise delegated power.
Why This Citation Matters
Seeing our reasoning referenced by the Supreme Court was both humbling and deeply meaningful. It doesn’t imply the Court adopted our position outright, but it does mean that our analysis contributed to the broader legal conversation at the nation’s highest level.
For Eric and me, that’s what practicing law at this level is all about – engaging seriously with complex legal questions and presenting arguments that add clarity to difficult issues.
Our work on administrative and constitutional law has always been rooted in the idea that process matters. The Keathley decision reflects just how important those principles remain in maintaining the balance between agency authority and individual rights.
Personal Reflection
When we wrote the analysis that the Court later cited, we weren’t thinking about recognition. We were focused on getting the law right – building a sound argument supported by careful reasoning.
Moments like this serve as a reminder that rigorous, well-researched legal work has a life of its own. Once it’s published, it can inform decisions far beyond the immediate case or client.
I’m grateful to our clients, colleagues, and the legal community who challenge us to think critically and to uphold the integrity of the legal process every day.
Looking Ahead
At Alders & Lewellyn, PLLC, we’ll continue to approach every case and every argument with the same level of depth and respect for the law that brought this recognition. Whether it’s appellate work, constitutional issues, or complex statutory interpretation, our commitment remains the same – clarity, precision, and principled advocacy.
We’re honored that our work was part of a Supreme Court discussion that will help shape administrative law for years to come.
