Google, on the other hand, supported the Fourth Circuit’s findings, emphasizing that South Carolina voluntarily waived any immunity by joining the ad tech case, which extends to any subpoena targeting state agencies. Google further argued that adopting the agency’s position could result in “litigation abuses” and unfairly limit defendants’ access to discovery crucial for mounting a defense.
Chief Justice John Roberts had previously denied the agency’s request to stay the Fourth Circuit’s mandate while it pursued Supreme Court review.
Legal Representation
The South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism is represented by attorneys R. Walker Humphrey II, Mitchell Willoughby, Margaret M. O’Shields, and Hunter R. Pope from Willoughby Humphrey & D’Antoni PA. Google’s legal team includes Neal Kumar Katyal, Jessica L. Ellsworth, and William E. Havemann from Hogan Lovells.
