History of SCOTUSblog in Timeline

SCOTUSblog is a widely-respected law blog providing comprehensive coverage of the Supreme Court of the United States. Written by legal professionals and students, it tracks cases from the petition for certiorari through merits briefing and oral argument. The blog is known for its live blogging of opinions and grants of certiorari, often publishing information before official sources. SCOTUSblog also hosts symposia featuring expert analysis and maintains an extensive archive of case-related documents, making it a key resource for legal professionals, academics, and anyone interested in the Supreme Court.

October 1, 2002: SCOTUSblog's first post

On October 1, 2002, the first post was published on SCOTUSblog. The blog was founded by Tom Goldstein and Amy Howe as a means to promote their law firm, then known as Goldstein & Howe, P.C.

February 7, 2005: Blog moved to current address

On February 7, 2005, SCOTUSblog moved to its current web address.

2006: Military Commissions Act

In 2006, The Supreme Court unexpectedly announced on June 29, 2007 it would hear the Guantanamo Bay detainees' challenges to the Military Commissions Act of 2006.

June 2007: Largest daily readership

In June 2007, SCOTUSblog announced it was about to experience its single largest daily readership at 100,000 page views per day.

June 29, 2007: Supreme Court to hear Guantanamo Bay detainees' challenges

On June 29, 2007, the Supreme Court unexpectedly announced it would hear the Guantanamo Bay detainees' challenges to the Military Commissions Act of 2006. This led to a significant increase in SCOTUSblog's readership.

2007: Companion wiki added

In 2007, SCOTUSblog added a companion wiki; the features were later integrated into the blog itself.

2008: Recognition as a successful law blog

In 2008, an article in the New York Law School Law Review cited SCOTUSblog as a successful law blog. Edward Adams of the ABA Journal noted that SCOTUSblog covers the Supreme Court more intensively and better than any news organization.

2008: SCOTUSblog information outpaces newspapers

In 2008, an article in the New York Law School Law Review estimated that SCOTUSblog alone had posted more information about a case than most newspapers provided even the next day.

2009: Coverage of Sonia Sotomayor nomination

In 2009, Paul Krugman of The New York Times commented on SCOTUSblog's coverage of the Sonia Sotomayor nomination, noting its importance in focusing the debate on real information.

2010: Criticism for potential conflicts of interest

In 2010, Glenn Greenwald in Salon criticized SCOTUSblog for potential conflicts of interest concerning Goldstein's litigation practice and the blog's coverage of court matters. Goldstein implemented firewalls after Bloomberg began sponsoring the blog.

2010: ABA Silver Gavel Award

In 2010, SCOTUSblog received the ABA's Silver Gavel award, the only blog to receive the award.

2011: Bloomberg Law sponsorship

In 2011, Bloomberg Law began sponsoring SCOTUSblog, allowing it to fully separate from Goldstein & Howe, P.C.

March 2012: Affordable Care Act hearings coverage

During the week of the Affordable Care Act hearings at the Supreme Court in March 2012, SCOTUSblog had one million hits due to its extensive coverage. Technorati rated the site as one of the 100 most influential blogs.

2012: Society of Professional Journalists (Sigma Delta Chi) prize

In 2012, SCOTUSblog won the Society of Professional Journalists (Sigma Delta Chi) prize for its coverage of the announcement of the Supreme Court's Affordable Care Act decision.