Jenner & Block Argues Before Supreme Court in Acheson Hotels, LLC v. Laufer
News
October 4, 2023
On October 4, Partner Adam Unikowsky will represent Acheson Hotels in oral arguments before the US Supreme Court in Acheson Hotels, LLC v. Laufer. The question before the Court is whether a self-appointed Americans with Disabilities Act “tester” can challenge a place of public accommodation’s failure to provide disability accessibility information on its website, even if they do not intend to visit that place.
The plaintiff, Deborah Laufer, sued Acheson Hotels in 2020 after she allegedly visited the website of its hotel and found that the website did not provide sufficient information regarding whether the hotel was ADA accessible. A district court dismissed Laufer’s case due to her lack of injury.
On appeal, the First Circuit held that Laufer did have standing to sue, joining a circuit split over the issue.
In his brief to the Supreme Court, Adam argued: “A cottage industry has arisen in which uninjured plaintiffs lob ADA lawsuits of questionable merit, while using the threat of attorney’s fees to extract settlement payments. These lawsuits have burdened small businesses, clogged the judicial system, and undermined the Executive Branch’s exclusive authority to enforce federal law.”
The team representing Acheson includes Partners Adam Unikowsky, Lindsay Harrison and Annie Kastanek, Associate Victoria Hall-Palerm, and former Associate Nicole Allicock.
Listen to the oral arguments.
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© 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
October 4, 2023
On October 4, Partner Adam Unikowsky will represent Acheson Hotels in oral arguments before the US Supreme Court in Acheson Hotels, LLC v. Laufer. The question before the Court is whether a self-appointed Americans with Disabilities Act “tester” can challenge a place of public accommodation’s failure to provide disability accessibility information on its website, even if they do not intend to visit that place.
The plaintiff, Deborah Laufer, sued Acheson Hotels in 2020 after she allegedly visited the website of its hotel and found that the website did not provide sufficient information regarding whether the hotel was ADA accessible. A district court dismissed Laufer’s case due to her lack of injury.
On appeal, the First Circuit held that Laufer did have standing to sue, joining a circuit split over the issue.
In his brief to the Supreme Court, Adam argued: “A cottage industry has arisen in which uninjured plaintiffs lob ADA lawsuits of questionable merit, while using the threat of attorney’s fees to extract settlement payments. These lawsuits have burdened small businesses, clogged the judicial system, and undermined the Executive Branch’s exclusive authority to enforce federal law.”
The team representing Acheson includes Partners Adam Unikowsky, Lindsay Harrison and Annie Kastanek, Associate Victoria Hall-Palerm, and former Associate Nicole Allicock.
Listen to the oral arguments.
Related Capabilities
© 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.
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