Tad Bartlett Quoted by the National Law Journal on Fifth Circuit’s Supreme Court Reversal Rate

Partner Tad Bartlett, head of Fishman Haygood’s Appellate Section, was quoted in the National Law Journal article “What Was Behind the Circuits’ SCOTUS Reversal Rates This Term?” published on July 29, 2026. The article examines how various federal circuits fared under U.S. Supreme Court review during the 2025-2026 term.

As Tad told the National Law Journal, in recent years U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit cases seem to be disproportionately overrepresented in the Supreme Court’s docket. This term, the justices reviewed 11 of the appeals court’s cases, more than any other court, reversing or vacating eight of those decisions. Noting that most of the cases reviewed did not involve “hot-button, political” issues, Tad cautioned that viewing courts on a conservative-liberal spectrum can be overly simplistic.

Tad served as a judicial clerk to U.S. Fifth Circuit Judge James Dennis following his graduation from law school. He now handles appellate matters in all Louisiana state courts and before the U.S. Second, Fifth, Seventh, Ninth, and Eleventh Circuits, including certiorari practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. Tad also runs the Take the Fifth blog, which tracks and summarizes all opinions released by the Fifth Circuit.

Our lawyers handle appeals for both plaintiffs and defendants in civil litigation across many subject matters, in review of administrative proceedings, and, as part of our pro bono commitment, in immigration and post-conviction proceedings.

Learn more about Fishman Haygood’s Appellate Practice here.