Partner Adam Unikowsky Argues before the Supreme Court in Williams v. Washington
News
October 7, 2024
On October 7, Jenner & Block Partner Adam Unikowsky represented Nancy Williams and petitioners in oral arguments before the US Supreme Court in Williams et al., v. Washington.
The question before the court is whether exhaustion of state administrative remedies is required to bring claims under Section 1983 of Title 42 of the US Code, which was originally enacted with the Civil Rights Act of 1871. The law provides plaintiffs with a cause of action against all “who, under color of state law, deprives them of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws.”
The petitioners’ amended complaint brought claims under § 1983, alleging that respondent’s administration of Alabama’s unemployment compensation scheme violated their constitutional due-process rights and federal statutory rights. Several allege experiencing “interminable delays in obtaining benefits determinations and hearings,” while others say they were “arbitrarily denied benefits without explanation” which resulted in hardships.
The Supreme Court of Alabama dismissed petitioners’ § 1983 claims for failure to exhaust state administrative remedies.
In his brief to the Supreme Court, Adam argues that decision defies the Supreme Court’s clear precedent on administrative exhaustion requirements in the case Patsy v. Board of Regents.
In addition to Adam, the team representing Williams includes Associates Arjun Ramamurti and Emanuel Powell III.
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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 7, 2024
On October 7, Jenner & Block Partner Adam Unikowsky represented Nancy Williams and petitioners in oral arguments before the US Supreme Court in Williams et al., v. Washington.
The question before the court is whether exhaustion of state administrative remedies is required to bring claims under Section 1983 of Title 42 of the US Code, which was originally enacted with the Civil Rights Act of 1871. The law provides plaintiffs with a cause of action against all “who, under color of state law, deprives them of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws.”
The petitioners’ amended complaint brought claims under § 1983, alleging that respondent’s administration of Alabama’s unemployment compensation scheme violated their constitutional due-process rights and federal statutory rights. Several allege experiencing “interminable delays in obtaining benefits determinations and hearings,” while others say they were “arbitrarily denied benefits without explanation” which resulted in hardships.
The Supreme Court of Alabama dismissed petitioners’ § 1983 claims for failure to exhaust state administrative remedies.
In his brief to the Supreme Court, Adam argues that decision defies the Supreme Court’s clear precedent on administrative exhaustion requirements in the case Patsy v. Board of Regents.
In addition to Adam, the team representing Williams includes Associates Arjun Ramamurti and Emanuel Powell III.
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.
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