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Quotes whose last-3-year citation rate is sharply higher than their earlier-history baseline. 5,881 passages cleared the velocity threshold (recent rate > 1.5× baseline, with ≥5 recent citations).  ·  All-time leaderboard  ·  Search quotes

#1  ·  100.7× baseline  ·  151 pins in last 3 yrs vs 7 in prior 15 yrs  ·  peak 2022, first 2007
“Asking for plausible grounds to infer an agreement does not impose a probability requirement at the pleading stage; it simply calls for enough fact to raise a reasonable expectation that discovery will reveal evidence of illegal agreement.”
#2  ·  54.7× baseline  ·  82 pins in last 3 yrs vs 3 in prior 15 yrs  ·  peak 2025, first 2008
"When the resolution of a question of law does not turn on an evaluation of the credibility and demeanor of a witness, then the trial court is not in a better position to make the determination, so appellate courts should conduct a de novo review of the issue."
#3  ·  54.0× baseline  ·  81 pins in last 3 yrs vs 1 in prior 2 yrs  ·  peak 2025, first 2021
“Because Applicant and his trial counsel raised no objection to the indictment, they may not now challenge its efficacy to invoke the jurisdiction of the district court.”
#4  ·  49.3× baseline  ·  74 pins in last 3 yrs vs 1 in prior 5 yrs  ·  peak 2024, first 2018
“[T]he proper procedure is for the district court to dismiss the complaint without prejudice when it denies the prisoner leave to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to the three strikes provision of § 1915(g).”
#5  ·  35.7× baseline  ·  214 pins in last 3 yrs vs 2 in prior 1 yrs  ·  peak 2023, first 2022
“The record does not contain a consent from the defendants[; h]owever, because they had not been served, they were not parties to th[e] action at the time the magistrate entered judgment.”
#6  ·  42.7× baseline  ·  64 pins in last 3 yrs vs 1 in prior 4 yrs  ·  peak 2025, first 2019
“Alaska law treats the University as a state entity for purposes of sovereign immunity”
from Ellingstad v. STATE, DEPT. OF NAT. RES., 1999
#7  ·  32.4× baseline  ·  119 pins in last 3 yrs vs 38 in prior 31 yrs  ·  peak 2025, first 1992
"The authority of a federal trial court to dismiss a plaintiff's action with prejudice because of his failure to prosecute cannot seriously be doubted."
from Link v. Wabash Railroad, 1962
#8  ·  37.3× baseline  ·  56 pins in last 3 yrs vs 10 in prior 25 yrs  ·  peak 2023, first 1996
"Congress may so completely pre-empt a particular area that any civil complaint raising this select group of claims is necessarily federal in character."
from Metropolitan Life Insurance v. Taylor, 1987
#9  ·  36.7× baseline  ·  55 pins in last 3 yrs vs 1 in prior 5 yrs  ·  peak 2023, first 2016
“[T]he set of criteria known as the Bradford Hill criteria has been widely acknowledged as providing an appropriate framework for assessing whether a causal relationship underlies a statistically significant association between an agent and a disease.”
#10  ·  32.0× baseline  ·  96 pins in last 3 yrs vs 1 in prior 1 yrs  ·  peak 2024, first 2021
“[B]ecause [a] release was very broadly phrased, it seems that if the parties intended to allow any future claims against each other, they would have done so specifically.”
#11  ·  29.5× baseline  ·  128 pins in last 3 yrs vs 13 in prior 9 yrs  ·  peak 2025, first 2014
"Section 1983 creates a cause of action based on personal liability and predicated upon fault; thus, liability does not attach unless the individual defendant caused or participated in a constitutional deprivation."
from Monell v. New York City Dept. of Social Servs., 1978
#12  ·  32.0× baseline  ·  48 pins in last 3 yrs vs 2 in prior 4 yrs  ·  peak 2023, first 2019
“[P]ro se litigants must set [a claim] forth in a manner which, taking the pleaded facts as true, states a claim as a matter of law.”
from W. T. Garrett and Carolyn Garrett, His Wife v. Bill Deavers, Yacht \Sin or Swim, 1981
#13  ·  27.3× baseline  ·  82 pins in last 3 yrs vs 1 in prior 1 yrs  ·  peak 2025, first 2022
“[W]e may take notice of proceedings in other courts, both within and without the federal judicial system, if those proceedings have a direct relation to matters at issue”
from Bennett v. Medtronic, Inc., 2002
#14  ·  30.7× baseline  ·  46 pins in last 3 yrs vs 1 in prior 4 yrs  ·  peak 2024, first 2019
"Appeal from the denial of a motion to compel arbitration is subject to de novo review."
from New Hope Missionary Baptist Church v. Paragon Builders, 2008
#15  ·  30.7× baseline  ·  46 pins in last 3 yrs vs 6 in prior 22 yrs  ·  peak 2021, first 1997
“There is no indication that Congress, in enacting § 636(b)(1)(C), intended to require a district judge to review a magistrate’s report to which no objections are filed.”
from Thomas v. Arn, 1986
#16  ·  27.2× baseline  ·  58 pins in last 3 yrs vs 22 in prior 31 yrs  ·  peak 2025, first 1992
"a private citizen lacks a judicially cognizable interest in the prosecution or nonprosecution of another"
from Linda RS v. Richard D., 1973
#17  ·  25.0× baseline  ·  75 pins in last 3 yrs vs 3 in prior 3 yrs  ·  peak 2025, first 2020
“The color of state law element is a threshold issue; there is no liability under § 1983 for those not acting under color of law.”
from Groman v. Township Of Manalapan, 1995
#18  ·  24.4× baseline  ·  55 pins in last 3 yrs vs 3 in prior 4 yrs  ·  peak 2024, first 2019
"The district court may adopt those portions of a report and recommendation to which no timely objections have been made, provided no clear error is apparent from the face of the record."
from Dipilato v. 7-Eleven, Inc., 2009
#19  ·  24.4× baseline  ·  39 pins in last 3 yrs vs 8 in prior 15 yrs  ·  peak 2025, first 2008
“[A] formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action will not do.”
#20  ·  24.0× baseline  ·  36 pins in last 3 yrs vs 1 in prior 3 yrs  ·  peak 2024, first 2020
“A plaintiff's failure to name a defendant in the caption of a Complaint renders any action against the purported defendant a legal nullity.”
#21  ·  24.0× baseline  ·  36 pins in last 3 yrs vs 3 in prior 10 yrs  ·  peak 2013, first 2002
“We hold, therefore, that the two-part Strickland v. Washington test applies to challenges to guilty pleas based on ineffective assistance of counsel.”
from Hill v. Lockhart, 1985
#22  ·  19.3× baseline  ·  58 pins in last 3 yrs vs 3 in prior 3 yrs  ·  peak 2024, first 2020
“Although procedural default often appears as a preliminary question, we may decide the merits first.”
#23  ·  22.0× baseline  ·  33 pins in last 3 yrs vs 3 in prior 12 yrs  ·  peak 2023, first 2010
“It is uncontested, however, that the right to inspect and copy judicial records is not absolute. Every court has supervisory power over its own records and files, and access has been denied where court files might have become a vehicle for improper purposes.”
from Nixon v. Warner Communications, Inc., 1978
#24  ·  21.3× baseline  ·  32 pins in last 3 yrs vs 1 in prior 2 yrs  ·  peak 2024, first 2021
“It is beyond debate that an inmate cannot be required to exhaust administrative remedies regarding non-grievable issues.”
#25  ·  18.3× baseline  ·  55 pins in last 3 yrs vs 1 in prior 1 yrs  ·  peak 2025, first 2022
“[D]eterminations of law by the 27 magistrate judge are reviewed de novo by both the district court and [the appellate] court[.]”
#26  ·  17.2× baseline  ·  69 pins in last 3 yrs vs 28 in prior 21 yrs  ·  peak 2025, first 2002
“the trial judge must have considerable leeway in deciding in a particular case how to go about determining whether particular expert testimony is reliable”
from Kumho Tire Co. v. Carmichael, 1999
#27  ·  20.7× baseline  ·  31 pins in last 3 yrs vs 14 in prior 29 yrs  ·  peak 2025, first 1994
“Cottingham I”
from Cottingham v. State, 1992
#28  ·  17.9× baseline  ·  43 pins in last 3 yrs vs 4 in prior 5 yrs  ·  peak 2021, first 2016
"In reviewing the trial court's decision for an abuse of discretion, the appellate court must view the evidence in the light most favorable to its proponent, giving the evidence its maximum reasonable probative force and its minimum reasonable prejudicial value."
from Gerald Paschal v. Flagstar Bank, Fsb, a Federal Savings Bank, F/k/a First Security Savings Bank, Fsb, 2002
#29  ·  14.9× baseline  ·  80 pins in last 3 yrs vs 34 in prior 19 yrs  ·  peak 2025, first 2004
"Arguments unsupported by references to legal authority will not be considered."
from State v. Pettit, 1992
#30  ·  15.7× baseline  ·  51 pins in last 3 yrs vs 27 in prior 25 yrs  ·  peak 2025, first 1998
“Appellate review of a circuit court's order granting a motion to dismiss a complaint is de novo.”
from State Ex Rel. McGraw v. Scott Runyan Pontiac-Buick, Inc., 1995
#31  ·  17.7× baseline  ·  29 pins in last 3 yrs vs 18 in prior 33 yrs  ·  peak 2025, first 1990
"[O]fficial-capacity suits generally represent only another way of pleading an action against an entity of which an officer is an agent."
from Monell v. New York City Dept. of Social Servs., 1978
#32  ·  18.0× baseline  ·  27 pins in last 3 yrs vs 1 in prior 7 yrs  ·  peak 2024, first 2016
“Passing treatment of an issue or lack of reasoned argument is insufficient to allow for our meaningful review.”
from State v. Stubbs, 2008
#33  ·  11.1× baseline  ·  199 pins in last 3 yrs vs 6 in prior 1 yrs  ·  peak 2024, first 2022
“It is within the inherent power of the court to sua sponte dismiss a case for lack of prosecution.”
#34  ·  13.7× baseline  ·  64 pins in last 3 yrs vs 14 in prior 9 yrs  ·  peak 2025, first 2014
"Generally, an issue not preserved in the trial court will not be considered on appeal."
from State v. Wyatt, 2000
#35  ·  17.3× baseline  ·  26 pins in last 3 yrs vs 3 in prior 12 yrs  ·  peak 2020, first 2007
“[T]he highest court of the state is the final arbiter of what is state law. When it has spoken, its pronouncement is to be accepted by federal courts as defining state law . . . .”
from West v. American Telephone & Telegraph Co., 1940
#36  ·  17.3× baseline  ·  26 pins in last 3 yrs vs 1 in prior 4 yrs  ·  peak 2024, first 2019
“Under Rule 41(b), a district court may dismiss an action sua sponte if the plaintiff fails to comply with court orders.”
from Link v. Wabash Railroad, 1962
#37  ·  16.7× baseline  ·  25 pins in last 3 yrs vs 1 in prior 6 yrs  ·  peak 2023, first 2017
“Denying a motion to amend is not an abuse of discretion if allowing an amendment would be futile.”
#38  ·  16.7× baseline  ·  25 pins in last 3 yrs vs 2 in prior 23 yrs  ·  peak 2021, first 1996
"The fact that a defendant might ultimately prove that a plaintiff's claims are pre-empted under the NLRA does not establish that they are removable to federal court."
#39  ·  15.5× baseline  ·  29 pins in last 3 yrs vs 5 in prior 8 yrs  ·  peak 2025, first 2015
“The defendant is not held to admit facts that are not well-pleaded or to admit conclusions of law.”
from Nishimatsu Construction Co., Ltd. v. Houston National Bank, Defendant-Third Party v. Jack D. Baize, Third Party, 1975
#40  ·  13.7× baseline  ·  41 pins in last 3 yrs vs 1 in prior 1 yrs  ·  peak 2021, first 2020
“[A] court is almost always better situated during the actual trial to assess the value and utility of evidence.”
#41  ·  13.0× baseline  ·  49 pins in last 3 yrs vs 29 in prior 23 yrs  ·  peak 2024, first 2000
“A case falls within the federal district court’s 'original' diversity ‘jurisdiction’ only if diversity of citizenship among the parties is complete, i.e., only if there is no plaintiff and no defendant who are citizens of the same State.”
from Wisconsin Department of Corrections v. Schacht, 1998
#42  ·  9.5× baseline  ·  200 pins in last 3 yrs vs 7 in prior 1 yrs  ·  peak 2024, first 2022
“[C]ourts may dismiss under Rule 41(b) sua sponte, at least under certain circumstances.”
from Hells Canyon Preservation Council v. U.S. Forest Service, 2005
#43  ·  11.8× baseline  ·  69 pins in last 3 yrs vs 37 in prior 19 yrs  ·  peak 2025, first 2004
“Individual liability under [42 U.S.C.] § 1983 must be based on personal involvement in the alleged constitutional violation.”
from Foote v. Spiegel, 1997
#44  ·  11.2× baseline  ·  84 pins in last 3 yrs vs 20 in prior 8 yrs  ·  peak 2017, first 2009
"Vaccine program special masters are also entitled to use their prior experience in reviewing fee applications."
from United States v. Weiner, 1993
#45  ·  14.2× baseline  ·  32 pins in last 3 yrs vs 3 in prior 4 yrs  ·  peak 2025, first 2019
“a discharge from medical care does not necessarily indicate there are no residual effects”
#46  ·  13.3× baseline  ·  40 pins in last 3 yrs vs 1 in prior 1 yrs  ·  peak 2024, first 2022
"[T]he Indiana Tort Claims Act confers on public employees a broad immunity from suit for acts committed within the scope of their employment."
#47  ·  11.9× baseline  ·  64 pins in last 3 yrs vs 18 in prior 10 yrs  ·  peak 2024, first 2013
"Threadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory statements, do not suffice"
from Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 2009
#48  ·  15.3× baseline  ·  23 pins in last 3 yrs vs 12 in prior 24 yrs  ·  peak 2023, first 1999
"Daubert makes clear that the factors it mentions do not constitute a 'definitive checklist or test.'"
from Kumho Tire Co. v. Carmichael, 1999
#49  ·  15.3× baseline  ·  23 pins in last 3 yrs vs 9 in prior 26 yrs  ·  peak 2023, first 1997
“The presence or absence of federal-question jurisdiction is governed by the ‘well-pleaded complaint rule,’ which provides that federal jurisdiction exists only when a federal question is presented on the face of the plaintiff's properly pleaded complaint.”
from Caterpillar Inc. v. Williams, 1987
#50  ·  13.0× baseline  ·  39 pins in last 3 yrs vs 1 in prior 1 yrs  ·  peak 2023, first 2022
“[A] federal court may skip over the procedural default analysis if a claim would fail on the merits in any event.”
from Donald Dallas v. Warden, 2020
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