Firm Files Amicus Brief On Behalf Of Bipartisan Group Of Senators Urging Supreme Court To Recognize That Low-Level Crack Offenders Can Seek Lower Sentences Under The First Step Act Of 2018
News
February 22, 2021
On February 19, Jenner & Block filed an amicus brief on behalf of a bipartisan group of senators – Dick Durbin, Chuck Grassley, Cory Booker, and Mike Lee. The amici were lead sponsors of the First Step Act of 2018. The First Step Act authorizes retroactive relief for individuals sentenced for crack-cocaine offenses before the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, which eliminated the now-infamous 100-to-1 disparity between crack and powder cocaine. In Terry v. United States, the Supreme Court is considering whether the relief the First Step Act authorizes extends to individuals sentenced for low-level crack offenses.
The brief explains that, as lead sponsors of the First Step Act, the bipartisan group of Amici have a strong interest in ensuring that the Act is interpreted correctly. And the brief explains that, under the Act’s plain text, the Act makes retroactive relief broadly available to all individuals sentenced for crack-cocaine offenses before the Fair Sentencing Act, including those sentenced for low-level crack offenses.
The firm team includes Partner Zachary C. Schauf and Associates Elizabeth B. Deutsch, Noah B. Bokat-Lindell, and Urja Mittal.
Related Lawyers
Related Capabilities
Related Locations
© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
News
February 22, 2021
On February 19, Jenner & Block filed an amicus brief on behalf of a bipartisan group of senators – Dick Durbin, Chuck Grassley, Cory Booker, and Mike Lee. The amici were lead sponsors of the First Step Act of 2018. The First Step Act authorizes retroactive relief for individuals sentenced for crack-cocaine offenses before the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, which eliminated the now-infamous 100-to-1 disparity between crack and powder cocaine. In Terry v. United States, the Supreme Court is considering whether the relief the First Step Act authorizes extends to individuals sentenced for low-level crack offenses.
The brief explains that, as lead sponsors of the First Step Act, the bipartisan group of Amici have a strong interest in ensuring that the Act is interpreted correctly. And the brief explains that, under the Act’s plain text, the Act makes retroactive relief broadly available to all individuals sentenced for crack-cocaine offenses before the Fair Sentencing Act, including those sentenced for low-level crack offenses.
The firm team includes Partner Zachary C. Schauf and Associates Elizabeth B. Deutsch, Noah B. Bokat-Lindell, and Urja Mittal.
Related Lawyers
Related Capabilities
Related Locations
© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
News and Insights
Event
Amanda Shafer Berman to Speak on Energy and Administrative Law at WEN-DC Webinar
As the Supreme Court's new Term begins, Jenner & Block Partner Amanda Shafer Berman will join a Women's Energy Network of Washington, DC (WEN-DC) webinar on how the Court's decisions are shaping the energy sector.
October 14, 2026
Publications
Partner Amanda Shafer Berman Quoted in Bloomberg Law on Senate Permitting Overhaul Bill
Partner Amanda Shafer Berman was quoted in an October 5 Bloomberg Law article, "Permitting Deal Gives Projects Defense Against Litigation Delays," on the Senate's new permitting overhaul package and its expected impact on litigation over federal permitting reversals.
October 2026
Event
Partner John Storino to Speak at Sandpiper Partners' “AI and Outside Counsel Guidelines Roundtable”
On October 8, Partner John Storino will serve as a panelist at the “AI and Outside Counsel Guidelines Roundtable,” hosted by Sandpiper Partners in Chicago.
October 8, 2026
Event
Partner Meghan Greenfield to Speak on Supreme Court Climate Case at Edison Electric Institute's Fall Legal Conference
On Wednesday, October 7, Partner Meghan Greenfield will speak on a panel titled "Boulder County v. Suncor Energy: What the Supreme Court's Climate Case Means for the Energy Industry" at the Edison Electric Institute's Fall Legal Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.
October 7, 2026
Publications
The Form Rules Everything: A Seventh Circuit Ruling on ERISA's Substantial Compliance Doctrine
Partner Joseph Torres and Special Counsel Jennifer Beach authored an article for Employee Relations Law Journal examining the Seventh Circuit's decision in Packaging Corp. of America Thrift Plan for Hourly Employees v. Langdon, a ruling that addresses both the standard of review in ERISA interpleader actions and the continued viability of the substantial compliance doctrine for changing plan beneficiaries.
October 5, 2026