InsideGov
Supreme Court · Decisions

County of Los Angeles et al. v. Davis et al.

440 U.S. 625 · No. 77-1553 · 1978 term · Burger Court

Decided Mar 27, 1979 · argued Dec 5, 1978

Civil rights · Employment discrimination: on basis of race, age, religion, illegitimacy, national origin, or working conditions

Majority opinion: William Brennan

The voteMajorityDissent

5–45 in the majority, 4 in dissent

4 dissents (5–4)

Vacated and remanded. County of Los Angeles et al. lost.

What this ruling means

Vacated and remanded: the Supreme Court set aside the decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, wiping it out without necessarily saying the result was wrong, and sent the case back for that court to decide again under the right legal standard.

County of Los Angeles et al. was the petitioner, the side that asked the Supreme Court to review the case. “Lost” means the Court did not give that side the result it asked for.

From the Supreme Court Database. A justice who agreed with the result but not the reasoning counts in the majority.

Report a correction

Summary

The opening of the case’s Wikipedia article: what the case was about and what the Court held.

Wikipedia has no article on this case, so there is no summary.

Data notes

The text is Wikipedia’s (CC BY-SA 4.0), matched to the case by its citation, docket number or name and year, and is not checked against the opinion. The site keeps the article’s opening section, ending on its last full sentence. The one-sentence summary under the title is the Decisions list’s: Wikipedia’s own ruling sentence, or, tagged “AI-written”, one Claude wrote from this opening.

Report a correction

How the justices voted

Each justice who took part, placed by their Martin–Quinn ideology score for the 1978 term. Filled: the 5 in the majority. Hollow: the 4 in dissent. Colour is the party of the president who appointed them.

More liberalMore conservativeMedianMarshallBrennanStevensWhiteBlackmunStewartPowellBurgerRehnquist

Majority(5)

Dissent(4)

Data notes

Each justice’s vote and what they wrote are from the justice-centered file of the Supreme Court Database. “Wrote a concurrence” means the justice sided with the majority and wrote separately; a justice who dissented in part is counted on the side they took overall. A justice who wrote nothing is listed as joining their side.

Positions are each justice’s Martin–Quinn score for the case’s term, the same scores as the Ideology page: negative is more liberal, positive more conservative. A score sums up a justice’s votes across the whole term, so it says where they usually sit, not why they voted as they did here. The median line is the Court’s median justice that term.

Report a correction

The parties

Who brought the case to the Court, who answered it, and how it got there.

Petitioner
County of Los Angeles et al.County government or county governmental unit, except school district (California)
Respondent
Davis et al.Minority governmental employee or job applicant (California)
Reached the Court by
Certiorari (the Court chose to hear it)
Data notes

The names are the two sides of the case’s title. The description under each is the Supreme Court Database’s category for that party, in its own wording. The petitioner is the side that asked the Supreme Court to review the decision below. “Why it was taken” appears only when the majority opinion says lower courts disagreed or were unsure about the question; reasons that would fit any case (“to resolve the question presented”, “an important question”) are left out.

Report a correction

The law at issue

The law the Court was asked to apply, and the kind of power it used to decide.

Provision
Article III, Section 2, Paragraph 1 (case or controversy requirement)
Kind of law
Constitution
Decided by
Judicial review (national level)
Data notes

The Supreme Court Database codes the main constitutional provision, statute or court rule each case turned on, and the basis of the decision: judicial review of a federal or state law, interpreting a statute, supervising the lower courts, and so on. A case can rest on more than one. “Overruled” counts only where the majority opinion says so.

Report a correction

Timeline

What happened at the Court and how the case got there, newest first.

  1. Mar 27, 1979DecidedDecided · Decided 5–4: vacated and remanded. County of Los Angeles et al. lost.
  2. Dec 5, 1978ArguedArgued · Oral argument before the Court.
  3. Not datedTaken upTaken up · The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case (certiorari).
  4. Not datedCourt belowCourt below · Decided by the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit: affirmed.
  5. Not datedBeganBegan · The case began in the California Central U.S. District Court.
Data notes

From the Supreme Court Database: the court the case began in, the court whose decision the Supreme Court reviewed and what that court did, how the case came to the Court, and the dates of argument and decision. The database does not date the steps in the lower courts. Court names are the database’s.

Report a correction

Other decisions on the same issue

100 other argued cases since 1946 on employment discrimination: on basis of race, age, religion, illegitimacy, national origin, or working conditions, newest first.

  1. Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services145 S. Ct. 1540Jun 5, 2025 · 145 S. Ct. 1540Civil rights9–0Unanimous band

  2. Murray v. Ubs Securities, LLC601 U.S. 23Feb 8, 2024 · 601 U.S. 23Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  3. Groff v. Dejoy600 U.S. 447Jun 29, 2023 · 600 U.S. 447Civil rights9–0Unanimous band

  4. Babb v. Wilkie140 S. Ct. 1168Apr 6, 2020 · 140 S. Ct. 1168Civil rights8–18–1 band

  5. Fort Bend County, Texas v. Davis139 S. Ct. 1843Jun 3, 2019 · 139 S. Ct. 1843Civil rights9–0Unanimous band

  6. Mount Lemmon Fire District v. Guido139 S. Ct. 22Nov 6, 2018 · 139 S. Ct. 22Civil rights8–0Unanimous band

  7. Green v. Brennan578 U.S. 547May 23, 2016 · 578 U.S. 547Civil rights7–18–1 band

  8. CRST Van Expedited, Inc. v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission578 U.S. 419May 19, 2016 · 578 U.S. 419Civil rights8–0Unanimous band

  9. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Abercrombie & Fitch Stores, Inc.575 U.S. 768Jun 1, 2015 · 575 U.S. 768Civil rights8–18–1 band

  10. Madigan v. Levin571 U.S. 1Oct 15, 2013 · 571 U.S. 1Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  11. Vincent E. Staub, Petitioner v. Proctor Hospital562 U.S. 411Mar 1, 2011 · 562 U.S. 411Civil rights8–0Unanimous band

  12. Eric L. Thompson, Petitioner v. North American Stainless, LP562 U.S. 170Jan 24, 2011 · 562 U.S. 170Civil rights8–0Unanimous band

  13. Arthur L. Lewis, Jr., et al. v. City of Chicago, Illinois560 U.S. 205May 24, 2010 · 560 U.S. 205Civil rights9–0Unanimous band

  14. Jack Gross v. FBL Financial Services, Inc.557 U.S. 167Jun 18, 2009 · 557 U.S. 167Civil rights5–45–4 band
  15. 14 Penn Plaza LLC et al. v. Steven Pyett et al.556 U.S. 247Apr 1, 2009 · 556 U.S. 247Civil rights5–45–4 band

  16. Ky. Ret. Sys. v. EEOC554 U.S. 135Jun 19, 2008 · 554 U.S. 135Civil rights5–45–4 band

  17. Meacham v. Knolls Atomic Power Lab.554 U.S. 84Jun 19, 2008 · 554 U.S. 84Civil rights7–18–1 band

  18. Anup Engquist v. Oregon Department of Agriculture, et al553 U.S. 591Jun 9, 2008 · 553 U.S. 591Civil rights6–36–3 band

  19. Myrna Gomez-Perez v. John E. Potter, Postmaster General553 U.S. 474May 27, 2008 · 553 U.S. 474Civil rights6–36–3 band

  20. Cbocs West, Inc. v. Hedrick G. Humphries553 U.S. 442May 27, 2008 · 553 U.S. 442Civil rights7–27–2 band

  21. Federal Express Corporation v. Paul Holowecki, et al552 U.S. 389Feb 27, 2008 · 552 U.S. 389Civil rights7–27–2 band
  22. Sprint/United Management Company v. Ellen Mendelsohn552 U.S. 379Feb 26, 2008 · 552 U.S. 379Civil rights9–0Unanimous band

  23. Azel P. Smith, et al. v. City of Jackson, Mississippi, et al.544 U.S. 228Mar 30, 2005 · 544 U.S. 228Civil rights8–0Unanimous band

  24. General Dynamics Land Systems, Inc. v. Dennis Cline et al.540 U.S. 581Feb 24, 2004 · 540 U.S. 581Civil rights6–36–3 band
  25. Clackamas Gastroenterology Associates, P. C. v. Deborah Wells538 U.S. 440Apr 22, 2003 · 538 U.S. 440Civil rights7–27–2 band

  26. National Railroad Passenger Corporation v. Abner Morgan, Jr.536 U.S. 101Jun 10, 2002 · 536 U.S. 101Civil rights5–45–4 band
  27. Leonard Edelman v. Lynchburg College535 U.S. 106Mar 19, 2002 · 535 U.S. 106Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  28. Akos Swierkiewicz v. Sorema N. A.534 U.S. 506Feb 26, 2002 · 534 U.S. 506Civil rights9–0Unanimous band

  29. Roger Reeves v. Sanderson Plumbing Products, Inc.530 U.S. 133Jun 12, 2000 · 530 U.S. 133Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  30. Dolores M. Oubre v. Entergy Operations, Inc.522 U.S. 422Jan 26, 1998 · 522 U.S. 422Civil rights6–36–3 band
  31. Charles T. Robinson, Sr. v. Shell Oil Company519 U.S. 337Feb 18, 1997 · 519 U.S. 337Civil rights9–0Unanimous band

  32. Darlene Walters v. Metropolitan Educational Enterprises, Inc.519 U.S. 202Jan 14, 1997 · 519 U.S. 202Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  33. James O'Connor v. Consolidated Coin Caterers Corporation517 U.S. 308Apr 1, 1996 · 517 U.S. 308Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  34. Maurice Rivers and Robert C. Davison v. Roadway Express, Inc.511 U.S. 298Apr 26, 1994 · 511 U.S. 298Civil rights8–18–1 band
  35. Barbara Landgraf v. Usi Film Products et al.511 U.S. 244Apr 26, 1994 · 511 U.S. 244Civil rights8–18–1 band
  36. St. Mary's Honor Center, et al. v. Melvin Hicks509 U.S. 502Jun 25, 1993 · 509 U.S. 502Civil rights5–45–4 band
  37. Hazen Paper Company, et al. v. Walter F. Biggins507 U.S. 604Apr 20, 1993 · 507 U.S. 604Civil rights9–0Unanimous band

  38. Ellis Gregory, Jr. and Anthony P. Nugent, Jr., Judges v. John D. Ashcroft, Governor of Missouri501 U.S. 452Jun 20, 1991 · 501 U.S. 452Civil rights7–27–2 band

  39. Astoria Federal Savings and Loan Association v. Angelo J. Solimino501 U.S. 104Jun 10, 1991 · 501 U.S. 104Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  40. Charles Z. Stevens, III v. Department of the Treasury et al.500 U.S. 1Apr 24, 1991 · 500 U.S. 1Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  41. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Arabian American Oil Co. et al.499 U.S. 244Mar 26, 1991 · 499 U.S. 244Civil rights6–36–3 band
  42. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio v. Betts492 U.S. 158Jun 23, 1989 · 492 U.S. 158Civil rights7–27–2 band
  43. Patterson v. McLean Credit Union491 U.S. 164Jun 15, 1989 · 491 U.S. 164Civil rights5–45–4 band
  44. Lorance et al. v. AT&T Technologies, Inc., et al.490 U.S. 900Jun 12, 1989 · 490 U.S. 900Civil rights5–36–3 band
  45. Wards Cove Packing Co., Inc., et al. v. Atonio et al.490 U.S. 642Jun 5, 1989 · 490 U.S. 642Civil rights5–45–4 band
  46. Watson v. Fort Worth Bank & Trust487 U.S. 977Jun 29, 1988 · 487 U.S. 977Civil rights8–0Unanimous band
  47. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Commercial Office Products Co.486 U.S. 107May 16, 1988 · 486 U.S. 107Civil rights5–36–3 band
  48. Ansonia Board of Education et al. v. Philbrook et al.479 U.S. 60Nov 17, 1986 · 479 U.S. 60Civil rights8–18–1 band
  49. University of Tennessee et al. v. Elliott478 U.S. 788Jul 7, 1986 · 478 U.S. 788Civil rights5–36–3 band
  50. Bazemore et al. v. Friday et al.478 U.S. 385Jul 1, 1986 · 478 U.S. 385Civil rights9–0Unanimous band

  51. Western Air Lines, Inc. v. Criswell et al.472 U.S. 400Jun 17, 1985 · 472 U.S. 400Civil rights8–0Unanimous band
  52. Johnson et al. v. Mayor and City Council of Baltimore et al.472 U.S. 353Jun 17, 1985 · 472 U.S. 353Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  53. Trans World Airlines, Inc. v. Thurston et al.469 U.S. 111Jan 8, 1985 · 469 U.S. 111Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  54. Cooper et al. v. Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond467 U.S. 867Jun 25, 1984 · 467 U.S. 867Civil rights8–0Unanimous band
  55. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Shell Oil Co.466 U.S. 54Apr 2, 1984 · 466 U.S. 54Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  56. Consolidated Rail Corporation v. Darrone, Administratrix of the Estate of Lestrange465 U.S. 624Feb 24, 1984 · 465 U.S. 624Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  57. Guardians Association et al. v. Civil Service Commission of the City of New York et al.463 U.S. 582Jul 1, 1983 · 463 U.S. 582Civil rights5–45–4 band
  58. W. R. Grace & Co. v. Local Union 759, International Union of the United Rubber, Cork, Linoleum & Plastic Workers of America461 U.S. 757May 31, 1983 · 461 U.S. 757Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  59. United States Postal Service Board of Governors v. Aikens460 U.S. 711Apr 4, 1983 · 460 U.S. 711Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  60. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Wyoming et al.460 U.S. 226Mar 2, 1983 · 460 U.S. 226Civil rights5–45–4 band

  61. Connecticut et al. v. Teal et al.457 U.S. 440Jun 21, 1982 · 457 U.S. 440Civil rights5–45–4 band
  62. Sumitomo Shoji America, Inc. v. Avagliano et al.457 U.S. 176Jun 15, 1982 · 457 U.S. 176Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  63. Kremer v. Chemical Construction Corp.456 U.S. 461May 17, 1982 · 456 U.S. 461Civil rights5–45–4 band
  64. Pullman-Standard, a Division of Pullman, Inc. v. Swint et al.456 U.S. 273Apr 27, 1982 · 456 U.S. 273Civil rights7–27–2 band
  65. American Tobacco Co. et al. v. Patterson et al.456 U.S. 63Apr 5, 1982 · 456 U.S. 63Civil rights5–45–4 band
  66. Northwest Airlines, Inc. v. Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO, et al.451 U.S. 77Apr 20, 1981 · 451 U.S. 77Civil rights8–0Unanimous band
  67. Texas Department of Community Affairs v. Burdine450 U.S. 248Mar 4, 1981 · 450 U.S. 248Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  68. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Associated Dry Goods Corp.449 U.S. 590Jan 26, 1981 · 449 U.S. 590Civil rights6–18–1 band
  69. Delaware State College et al. v. Ricks449 U.S. 250Dec 15, 1980 · 449 U.S. 250Civil rights5–45–4 band
  70. Mohasco Corp. v. Silver447 U.S. 807Jun 23, 1980 · 447 U.S. 807Civil rights6–36–3 band
  71. California Brewers Assn. et al. v. Bryant et al.444 U.S. 598Feb 20, 1980 · 444 U.S. 598Civil rights4–36–3 band
  72. Oscar Mayer & Co. et al. v. Evans441 U.S. 750May 21, 1979 · 441 U.S. 750Civil rights5–45–4 band
  73. New York City Transit Authority et al. v. Beazer et al.440 U.S. 568Mar 21, 1979 · 440 U.S. 568Civil rights6–36–3 band
  74. Vance, Secretary of State, et al. v. Bradley et al.440 U.S. 93Feb 22, 1979 · 440 U.S. 93Civil rights8–18–1 band
  75. Furnco Construction Corp. v. Waters et al.438 U.S. 567Jun 29, 1978 · 438 U.S. 567Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  76. United Air Lines, Inc. v. McMann434 U.S. 192Dec 12, 1977 · 434 U.S. 192Civil rights7–27–2 band
  77. Hazelwood School District et al. v. United States433 U.S. 299Jun 27, 1977 · 433 U.S. 299Civil rights8–18–1 band
  78. Occidental Life Insurance Company of California v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission432 U.S. 355Jun 20, 1977 · 432 U.S. 355Civil rights7–27–2 band
  79. Trans World Airlines, Inc. v. Hardison et al.Landmark · Other areas432 U.S. 63Jun 16, 1977 · 432 U.S. 63Civil rights7–27–2 band

  80. United Air Lines, Inc. v. Evans431 U.S. 553May 31, 1977 · 431 U.S. 553Civil rights7–27–2 band
  81. International Brotherhood of Teamsters v. United States et al.431 U.S. 324May 31, 1977 · 431 U.S. 324Civil rights7–27–2 band
  82. Alexander, Secretary of the Army v. Fioto430 U.S. 634Apr 4, 1977 · 430 U.S. 634Civil rights8–0Unanimous band
  83. International Union of Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers, AFL-CIO, Local 790 v. Robbins & Myers, Inc., et al.429 U.S. 229Dec 20, 1976 · 429 U.S. 229Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  84. Fitzpatrick et al. v. Bitzer, Chairman, State Employees' Retirement Commission et al.427 U.S. 445Jun 28, 1976 · 427 U.S. 445Civil rights9–0Unanimous band

  85. Massachusetts Board of Retirement et al. v. Murgia427 U.S. 307Jun 25, 1976 · 427 U.S. 307Civil rights7–18–1 band

  86. McDonald et al. v. Santa Fe Trail Transportation Co. et al.427 U.S. 273Jun 25, 1976 · 427 U.S. 273Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  87. Washington, Mayor of Washington, D. C., et al. v. Davis et al.426 U.S. 229Jun 7, 1976 · 426 U.S. 229Civil rights7–27–2 band

  88. Chandler v. Roudebush, Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, et al.425 U.S. 840Jun 1, 1976 · 425 U.S. 840Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  89. Brown v. General Services Administration et al.425 U.S. 820Jun 1, 1976 · 425 U.S. 820Civil rights6–27–2 band
  90. National Association for the Advancement of Colored People et al. v. Federal Power Commission425 U.S. 662May 19, 1976 · 425 U.S. 662Civil rights8–0Unanimous band
  91. Franks et al. v. Bowman Transportation Co., Inc., et al.424 U.S. 747Mar 24, 1976 · 424 U.S. 747Civil rights5–36–3 band
  92. Albemarle Paper Co. et al. v. Moody et al.422 U.S. 405Jun 25, 1975 · 422 U.S. 405Civil rights7–18–1 band

  93. Johnson v. Railway Express Agency, Inc., et al.421 U.S. 454May 19, 1975 · 421 U.S. 454Civil rights6–36–3 band
  94. Alexander v. Gardner-Denver Co.415 U.S. 36Feb 19, 1974 · 415 U.S. 36Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  95. McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green411 U.S. 792May 14, 1973 · 411 U.S. 792Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  96. Love v. Pullman Co.404 U.S. 522Jan 17, 1972 · 404 U.S. 522Civil rights7–0Unanimous band
  97. Griggs et al. v. Duke Power Co.Landmark · Discrimination based on race and ethnicity401 U.S. 424Mar 8, 1971 · 401 U.S. 424Civil rights8–0Unanimous band

  98. Ramspeck et al. v. Federal Trial Examiners Conference et al.345 U.S. 128Mar 9, 1953 · 345 U.S. 128Civil rights6–36–3 band
  99. Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen et al. v. Howard et al.343 U.S. 768Jun 9, 1952 · 343 U.S. 768Civil rights6–36–3 band
  100. Kotch et al. v. Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans et al.330 U.S. 552Mar 31, 1947 · 330 U.S. 552Civil rights5–45–4 band

Data notes

Every other orally argued case with a clear vote, from the 1946 term on, that the Supreme Court Database files under the same issue as this one. The database gives each case one issue from a list of about 270 (abortion, search and seizure of vehicles, the death penalty, and so on), whatever law it turned on.

Report a correction

Official record

Read the full opinion on Justia and the argument audio on Oyez. Case data from the Supreme Court Database, Version 2026 Release 01, through the 2025 term.