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briandowning.bsky.social
Brian Downing
@briandowning.bsky.social
120 followers 730 following 270 posts
Assistant professor of law at @olemiss.bsky.social this fall. Using this to rate SCOTUS oral args. Rating guide: https://briandowning.medium.com/notes-on-rating-supreme-court-oral-advocacy-0859f8952930. Former Google lawyer/eng.
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briandowning.bsky.social
Brian Downing @briandowning.bsky.social · Oct 8
My newest published paper is out! It's about TikTok. It's also about the constitutionality of U.S. data privacy regulation. I don't know which topic is more popular - could someone with a teen ask?

If you're interested in either, download it below.

papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
A Switch In Strata’ll Save Your Data: TikTok Inc. v. Garland and the Future Of U.S. Data Protection Regulation
The U.S. Supreme Court's 2025 case of TikTok Inc. v. Garland looked to be a content-focused speech showdown. TikTok and its users' First Amendment arguments wou
papers.ssrn.com
briandowning.bsky.social
FS v Saba

Civ Pro: Securities action

Dvoretzsky (P) Clarity (2), Mastery (3), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (2)

Schulman (SG P) Clarity (2), Mastery (2), Adaptivity (2), Interplay (1)

Clement (R) Clarity (5), Mastery (5), Adaptivity (4), Interplay (5)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPp8...
FS Credit Opportunities Corp. v. Saba Capital Master Fund (2025)
YouTube video by electron media group, inc.
www.youtube.com
December 14, 2025 at 3:07 AM
briandowning.bsky.social
Hamm v Smith

Crim: 8th Am

Overing (St SG P) - Clarity (2), Mastery (2), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (1)

Graver (SG P) - Clarity (3), Mastery (3), Adaptivity (4), Interplay (3)

Waxman (R) - Clarity (3), Mastery (4), Adaptivity (2), Interplay (2)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAWc...
Hamm v. Smith (2025)
YouTube video by electron media group, inc.
www.youtube.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:49 PM
briandowning.bsky.social
NRSC v FEC

1Am: Campaign finance

Francisco(P) Clarity5,Mastery4,Adaptivity4,Interplay4

Harris(SG) Clarity4,Mastery4,Adaptivity3,Interplay3

Martinez(Amicus) Clarity4,Mastery2,Adaptivity3,Interplay4

Elias(Int) Clarity4,Mastery5,Adaptivity5,Interplay4

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRj2...
FULL HEARING: Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments In GOP Campaign Finance Law Challenge
YouTube video by Forbes Breaking News
www.youtube.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:15 PM
briandowning.bsky.social
Trump v Slaughter

Admin: Officer removal

Sauer (SG P) - Clarity (4), Mastery (3), Adaptivity (3), Interplay (2)

Agarwal (R) - Clarity (4), Mastery (4), Adaptivity (3), Interplay (1)

R: great job for losing cause. SG win for FTC-like agencies only?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRZE...
LISTEN LIVE: Supreme Court hears Trump v. Slaughter in another test of presidential power
YouTube video by PBS NewsHour
www.youtube.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:23 PM
briandowning.bsky.social
Oliver v City of Brandon

Crim: post-conviction bar

Ho (P) Clarity (3), Mastery (3), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (1)

Robertson (SG) Clarity (2), Mastery (3), Adaptivity (2), Interplay (1)

Butler (R) Clarity (3), Mastery (3), Adaptivity (2), Interplay (2)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyPw...
Olivier v. City of Brandon (2025)
YouTube video by electron media group, inc.
www.youtube.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:32 AM
briandowning.bsky.social
First Choice v Platkin

Con Law: Ripeness

Hawley (P) - Clarity (3), Mastery (2), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (1)

Suri (SG P) - Clarity (3), Mastery (4), Adaptivity (2), Interplay (4)

Iyer (R) - Clarity (2), Mastery (2), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (1)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Upzb...
Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments For First Choice Women’s Resource Centers, Inc. v. Platkin
YouTube video by Forbes Breaking News
www.youtube.com
December 3, 2025 at 11:58 PM
briandowning.bsky.social
Urias-Orellana v Bondi

Civ Pro: Immigration review

Rosellini (P) Clarity (2), Mastery (2), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (1)

Dos Santos (SG R) Clarity (2), Mastery (1), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (1)

Stanford alum 1st timers! Both a bit green but did fine.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=53Oe...
Urias-Orellana v. Bondi, Att'y Gen. (2025)
YouTube video by electron media group, inc.
www.youtube.com
December 3, 2025 at 11:02 PM
briandowning.bsky.social
Programming interruption: My Top 10 Albums of 2025, posted on Medium. Deafheaven, a band I actively disliked previously, took the top spot.

briandowning.medium.com/top-10-album...
Top 10 Albums of 2025
Keeping it short, as time was short this year!
briandowning.medium.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:15 AM
briandowning.bsky.social
Cox v Sony

IP: Copyright indirect liability

Rosenkranz (P) Clarity (4), Mastery (3), Adaptivity (2), Interplay (2)

Stuart (SG) Clarity (3), Mastery (4), Adaptivity (2), Interplay (2)

Clement (R) Clarity (4), Mastery (4), Adaptivity (4), Interplay (5)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpFG...
Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments For Sony Lawsuit About Copyright Infringements
YouTube video by Forbes Breaking News
www.youtube.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:21 PM
briandowning.bsky.social
Fernandez etc v US

Crim: Relief

GruensteinP Clarity 3 Mastery 3 Adaptivity 1 Interplay 1

FrederickP Clarity 3 Mastery 2 Adaptivity 1 Interplay 1

ONeilP Clarity 4 Mastery 4 Adaptivity 2 Interplay 3

FeiginR Clarity 4 Mastery 5 Adaptivity 4 Interplay 4

www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNt-...
LISTEN LIVE: Supreme Court hears arguments for Fernandez v. U.S. and Rutherford v. U.S.
YouTube video by PBS NewsHour
www.youtube.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:14 AM
briandowning.bsky.social
GEO Group v Menocal

Civ Pro: Appeals

Draye (P) Clarity (3), Mastery (2), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (2)

Bennett (R) Clarity (3), Mastery (3), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (1)

Joshi (SG R) Clarity (4), Mastery (4), Adaptivity (2), Interplay (3)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQm1...
GEO Group, Inc. v. Menocal (2025)
YouTube video by electron media group, inc.
www.youtube.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:13 AM
briandowning.bsky.social
Landor v LA DOC

Religion: Officer immunity

Tripp (P) Clarity (3), Mastery (4), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (1)

Baird (SG P) Clarity (3), Mastery (2), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (2)

Aguiñaga (StSG R) Clarity (2), Mastery (2), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (1)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1v-...
Supreme Court Hears Arguments In Case About Religious Land Use And Institutionalized Persons Act
YouTube video by Forbes Breaking News
www.youtube.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:12 AM
briandowning.bsky.social
Learning Resources v Trump

Con Law: Delegation

Sauer (SG) Clarity (4), Mastery (3), Adaptivity (4), Interplay (2)

Katyal (R) Clarity (4), Mastery (5), Adaptivity (3), Interplay (5)

Gutman (St SG) Clarity (1), Mastery (2), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (3)

youtu.be/DXRWnfVEY5g?...
Oral Argument on tariffs: Learning Resources v. Trump
YouTube video by Supreme Court Oral Argument Transcripts
youtu.be
November 7, 2025 at 3:03 AM
briandowning.bsky.social
Hain Celestial v Palmquist

Civ Pro: Jurisdiction

Harrington (P) - Clarity (4), Mastery (3), Adaptivity (3), Interplay (2)

Post (R) - Clarity (4), Mastery (3), Adaptivity (2), Interplay (1)

youtu.be/c0XvRr4Lr3I?...
Hain Celestial Group v. Palmquist (2025)
YouTube video by electron media group, inc.
youtu.be
November 5, 2025 at 5:10 AM
briandowning.bsky.social
Coney Island Auto v Burton

Civ Pro: Void judgment

Ginzburg (P) - Clarity (2), Mastery (1), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (1)

Clarity (Blatt), Mastery (Blatt), Adaptivity (Blatt), Interplay (Blatt)

youtu.be/0rWGw6un15Q?...
Coney Island Auto Parts, Inc. v. Burton (2025)
YouTube video by electron media group, inc.
youtu.be
November 4, 2025 at 10:41 PM
briandowning.bsky.social
Hencely v Fluor Corp

Torts: war immunity

Chang (P) - Clarity (2), Mastery (2), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (1)

Mosier (R) - Clarity (3), Mastery (3), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (1)

Gannon (SG R) - Clarity (3), Mastery (3), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (1)

youtu.be/_Nk9V3j2q78?...
Hencely v. Fluor Corporation (2025)
YouTube video by electron media group, inc.
youtu.be
November 4, 2025 at 10:38 PM
briandowning.bsky.social
Rico v US

Crim: Tolling

Unikowsky (P) - Clarity (5), Mastery (3), Adaptivity (3), Interplay (4)

Handell (SG R) - Clarity (3), Mastery (2), Adaptivity (2), Interplay (1)

youtu.be/QRR17XWCla0?...
Rico v. United States (2025)
YouTube video by electron media group, inc.
youtu.be
November 4, 2025 at 10:36 PM
briandowning.bsky.social
LA v Callais

ConL: Voting

Nelson Clarity 2, Mastery 2, Adaptivity 1, Interplay 2

Aguiñaga Clarity 3, Mastery 3, Adaptivity 2, Interplay 1

Greim Clarity 2, Mastery 3, Adaptivity 1, Interplay 1

Mooppan Clarity 3, Mastery 3, Adaptivity 1, Interplay 1

youtu.be/yC-Axo9aA1c?...
Oral Argument on racial gerrymandering: Louisiana v. Callais
YouTube video by Supreme Court Oral Argument Transcripts
youtu.be
October 26, 2025 at 10:51 PM
briandowning.bsky.social
Case v MT

Con Law: 4th Am

Rowley (P) - Clarity (3), Mastery (2), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (1)

Corrigan (St SG R) - Clarity (2), Mastery (2), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (2)

Jacoby (SG R) - Clarity (3), Mastery (3), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (1)

youtu.be/PHE4dPrfZvc?...
Case v. Montana (2025)
YouTube video by electron media group, inc.
youtu.be
October 21, 2025 at 5:48 PM
briandowning.bsky.social
Ellingburg v US

Crim: Ex Post Facto

Saharia (P) Clarity (3), Mastery (3), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (1)

Robertson (SG w/P) Clarity (3), Mastery (3), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (2)

Bash (Amici R) Clarity (3), Mastery (3), Adaptivity (2), Interplay (1)

youtu.be/s0AmxZEwUQw?...
Ellingburg v. United States | SCOTUS-Toons (2025-10-14)
YouTube video by Daniel Meeks
youtu.be
October 21, 2025 at 5:03 PM
briandowning.bsky.social
Bowe v US

Crim: Habeas

Adler (P) - Clarity (3), Mastery (4), Adaptivity (2), Interplay (2)

Yang (R SG) - Clarity (4), Mastery (4), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (3)

Mitchell (Amicus R) - Clarity (3), Mastery (3), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (1)

youtu.be/1wc5-NXeMRs?...
Bowe v. United States (2025)
YouTube video by electron media group, inc.
youtu.be
October 16, 2025 at 6:36 PM
briandowning.bsky.social
Postal Service v Konan

Civ Pro: Immunity

Liu (P SG) - Clarity (4), Mastery (3), Adaptivity (2), Interplay (2)

Anand (R) - Clarity (4), Mastery (4), Adaptivity (3), Interplay (3)

Miscarriage of postage not high stakes, but good advocates make it fun.

youtu.be/sMQBvLnF8dI?...
USPS v. Konan (2025)
YouTube video by electron media group, inc.
youtu.be
October 12, 2025 at 9:37 PM
briandowning.bsky.social
Bost v Ill

Con Law: Standing

Clement (P) Clarity (4), Mastery (5), Adaptivity (5), Interplay (5)

Talent (SG, P) Clarity (2), Mastery (2), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (1)

Notz (R, Ill SG) Clarity (1), Mastery (2), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (1)

youtu.be/saBKhFU6IkI?...
Bost v. Illinois State Board of Elections (2025)
YouTube video by electron media group, inc.
youtu.be
October 11, 2025 at 4:35 AM
briandowning.bsky.social
Barrett v US

Crim: 5th Am

Larsen (P) - Clarity (4), Mastery (4), Adaptivity (3), Interplay (2)

Brown (SG, P) - Clarity (3), Mastery (4), Adaptivity (2), Interplay (3)

McCloud (Crt Amicus R) - Clarity (4), Mastery (4), Adaptivity (3), Interplay (2)

youtu.be/N2_1E0J5Ods?...
Barrett v. United States (2025)
YouTube video by electron media group, inc.
youtu.be
October 11, 2025 at 4:32 AM
briandowning.bsky.social
Chiles v Salazar

Con Law: 1st Am

Campbell (P) Clarity (3), Mastery (3), Adaptivity (2), Interplay (1)

Mooppan (SG P) Clarity (3), Mastery (2), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (1)

Stevenson (R CO SG) Clarity (2), Mastery (2), Adaptivity (1), Interplay (1)

youtu.be/TnNJkug34vY?...
Oral Argument on conversion therapy: Chiles v. Salazar
YouTube video by Supreme Court Oral Argument Transcripts
youtu.be
October 11, 2025 at 4:29 AM