Bondurant associate Jeffrey Chen argued before the U.S. Supreme Court today in Washington, D.C., representing incarcerated and disabled Army veteran Floyd D. Johnson in Johnson v. United States Congress. The case was heard on the opening day of the Court’s 2026-27 term and addresses whether veterans can bring constitutional challenges to federal laws affecting their benefits directly in federal district court or must first pursue those claims through the Department of Veterans Affairs’ administrative review process.
Chen, counsel of record for Johnson, argued that the Veterans’ Judicial Review Act (VJRA) does not prevent federal district courts from hearing constitutional challenges to federal statutes. The government maintains that Johnson’s claim is subject to the VA’s administrative review process before a federal court can consider it.
The jurisdictional question extends far beyond Johnson’s individual case. The U.S. Department of Justice has acknowledged a split among federal appeals courts over whether federal district courts have jurisdiction to hear these types of constitutional challenges. The Supreme Court’s decision could clarify how federal courts handle similar claims.
“This case is fundamentally about ensuring our nation’s veterans have direct access to federal courts to protect their constitutional rights,” said Pat Fagan, Partner at Bondurant, who represents Johnson along with Chen. “Jeff’s argument before the Supreme Court seeks to clear administrative hurdles that some veterans currently face based on where they live.”
The argument marked Chen’s first appearance before the U.S. Supreme Court. A decision is expected by June 2027.
Appellate advocacy has been central to Bondurant’s identity from the beginning. Founded by Emmet Bondurant, who first argued before the U.S. Supreme Court at the age of 26, the firm continues his legacy of bold, precedent-setting victories in complex disputes and public-impact cases. Over the decades, Bondurant attorneys have handled significant appeals before the Georgia Supreme Court, Georgia Court of Appeals, federal appellate courts and the U.S. Supreme Court, often taking on matters involving novel legal questions and issues with far-reaching implications. That history has made appellate work a defining strength of the firm.
