gomez argued october decided january navy contracted petitioner company campbell develop multimedia recruiting campaign included sending text messages young adults individuals opted receipt marketing solicitations topics included navy service campbell subcontractor mindmatics llc generated list cellular phone numbers consenting users transmitted navy message recipients including respondent jose gomez alleges consent receive text messages age navy targeted age group gomez filed nationwide class action alleging campbell violated telephone consumer protection act tcpa iii prohibits using automatic dialing system send text message cellular telephone absent recipient prior express consent sought treble statutory damages willful knowing tcpa violation injunction campbell involvement unsolicited messaging deadline gomez file motion class certification campbell proposed settle gomez individual claim filed offer judgment pursuant federal rule civil procedure gomez accept offer allowed rule submission lapse expiration time days specified rule campbell moved dismiss case pursuant rule lack jurisdiction campbell argued first offer mooted gomez individual claim providing complete relief next campbell urged gomez failure move class certification individual claim became moot caused putative class claims become moot well district denied motion limited discovery district granted campbell motion summary judgment relying yearsley ross constr held campbell contractor acting navy behalf acquired navy sovereign immunity suit tcpa ninth circuit reversed agreed gomez case remained live concluded campbell entitled derivative sovereign immunity yearsley basis held unaccepted settlement offer offer judgment moot plaintiff case district retained jurisdiction adjudicate gomez complaint article iii cases controversies limitation requires actual controversy extant stages review merely time complaint filed arizonans official english arizona internal quotation marks omitted case become moot long parties concrete interest however small litigation outcome chafin chafin internal quotation marks omitted gomez complaint effaced campbell unaccepted offer satisfy individual claim basic principles contract law campbell settlement bid rule offer judgment rejected continuing efficacy settlement offer operative parties remained adverse retained stake litigation outset neither rule railroad tax cases california san pablo tulare little bowers san mateo county southern pacific support argument unaccepted settlement offer moot complaint pp campbell status federal contractor entitle immunity suit violation tcpa unlike agencies federal contractors enjoy absolute immunity federal contractor simply performs directed government may shielded liability injuries caused conduct see yearsley derivative immunity exists contractor exceeded authority authority validly conferred summary judgment record includes evidence navy authorized campbell send text messages individuals opted receive solicitations required tcpa contractor violates federal law government explicit instructions alleged immunity shields contractor suit pp affirmed remanded ginsburg delivered opinion kennedy breyer sotomayor kagan joined thomas filed opinion concurring judgment roberts filed dissenting opinion scalia alito joined alito filed dissenting opinion opinion notice opinion subject formal revision publication preliminary print reports readers requested notify reporter decisions washington typographical formal errors order corrections may made preliminary print goes press company petitioner jose gomez writ certiorari appeals ninth circuit january justice ginsburg delivered opinion unaccepted offer satisfy named plaintiff individual claim sufficient render case moot complaint seeks relief behalf plaintiff class persons similarly situated question courts appeals divided reserved genesis healthcare symczyk slip hold today accord rule federal rules civil procedure unaccepted settlement offer force like unaccepted contract offers creates lasting right obligation offer table defendant continuing denial liability adversity parties persists case presents second question claim suit concerns performance petitioner contract federal government sovereign immunity suit shield petitioner private enterprise well hold petitioner status government contractor entitle derivative sovereign immunity blanket immunity enjoyed sovereign telephone consumer protection act tcpa act stat iii prohibits person absent prior express consent recipient mak ing call using automatic telephone dialing system telephone number assigned paging service cellular telephone service text message cellular telephone undisputed qualifies call within compass iii damages occasioned conduct violating tcpa authorizes private right action plaintiff successful action may recover actual monetary loss violation whichever greater damages may trebled defendant willfully knowingly violated act petitioner company campbell nationwide advertising marketing communications agency beginning navy engaged campbell develop execute multimedia recruiting campaign campbell proposed navy campaign involving text messages sent young adults navy target audience encouraging learn navy navy approved campbell proposal conditioned sending messages individuals opted receipt marketing solicitations topics included service navy app final form message read destined something big navy get career education chance serve greater cause free navy video call phone number campbell contracted mindmatics llc generated list cellular phone numbers geared navy target audience namely cellular phone users ages consented receiving solicitations text message may mindmatics transmitted navy message recipients respondent jose gomez recipient navy recruiting message alleging never consented receiving message age nearly campbell violated tcpa sending message perhaps others like gomez filed complaint district central district california behalf nationwide class individuals received consented receipt text message gomez sought treble statutory damages costs attorney fees also injunction campbell involvement unsolicited messaging app prior deadline gomez file motion class certification campbell proposed settle gomez individual claim filed offer judgment pursuant federal rule civil procedure app pet cert campbell offered pay gomez costs excluding attorney fees per message may text message text message gomez show received thereby satisfying personal claim campbell also proposed stipulated injunction agreed barred sending text messages violation tcpa proposed injunction however denied liability allegations made complaint disclaimed existence grounds imposition injunction settlement offer include attorney fees campbell observed tcpa provide award gomez accept settlement offer allowed campbell rule submission lapse time days specified rule campbell thereafter moved dismiss case pursuant federal rule civil procedure lack jurisdiction article iii case controversy remained campbell urged offer mooted gomez individual claim providing complete relief gomez moved class certification claim became moot campbell added putative class claims also became moot district denied campbell motion supp cd cal gomez dilatory filing certification request district determined consequently noted class claims relat back date gomez filed complaint limited discovery campbell moved summary judgment discrete ground navy enjoys sovereign immunity suit tcpa campbell argued district granted motion relying decision yearsley ross constr held contractor acting navy behalf campbell acquired navy immunity cv cd app pet cert wl appeals ninth circuit reversed summary judgment entered campbell appeals disagreed district ruling immunity issue agreed gomez case remained live concerning gomez individual claim appeals relied decision diaz first american home buyers protection diaz held unaccepted rule offer fully satisfy plaintiff individual claim insufficient render th claim moot class relief gomez sought ninth circuit held unaccepted rule offer judgment full amount named plaintiff individual claim made named plaintiff files motion class certification moot class action quoting pitts terrible herbst next appeals held campbell entitled derivative sovereign immunity decision yearsley basis vacating district judgment ninth circuit remanded case granted certiorari resolve disagreement among courts appeals whether unaccepted offer moot plaintiff claim thereby depriving federal courts article iii jurisdiction compare bais yaakov act hooks landmark industries chapman first index tanasi new alliance bank stein buccaneers limited partnership diaz holding unaccepted offer render plaintiff claim moot warren sessoms rogers ed donnelly enterprises weiss regal collections holding unaccepted offer moot plaintiff claim granted review well resolve federal contractor immunity question campbell petition raised ii article iii constitution limits jurisdiction cases controversies art iii interpreted requirement demand actual controversy extant stages review merely time complaint filed arizonans official english arizona quoting preiser newkirk intervening circumstance deprives plaintiff stake outcome lawsuit point litigation action longer proceed must dismissed moot genesis healthcare slip quoting lewis continental bank case becomes moot however impossible grant effectual relief prevailing party knox service employees slip internal quotation marks omitted long parties concrete interest however small outcome litigation case moot chafin chafin slip internal quotation marks omitted genesis healthcare considered collective action brought laura symczyk former employee genesis healthcare symczyk sued behalf similarly situated employees alleged violations fair labor standards act et seq case defendant served plaintiff offer judgment pursuant rule satisfied plaintiff individual claim slip also plaintiff allowed offer lapse failing respond within time specified rule ibid unlike case gomez mounted symczyk dispute lower courts genesis healthcare offer mooted individual claim slip failure genesis healthcare majority refused rule issue instead majority simply assumed without deciding offer complete relief pursuant rule even unaccepted moots plaintiff claim ibid made assumption proceeded consider whether action remained justiciable basis allegations alone absent plaintiff live individual case concluded suit maintained slip justice kagan writing dissent explained reached threshold question held unaccepted offer judgment moot case slip reasoned plaintiff rejects offer however good terms interest lawsuit remains ability grant relief unaccepted settlement offer like unaccepted contract offer legal nullity operative effect every law student learns recipient rejection offer matter offer ever made minneapolis louis columbus rolling mill nothing rule alters basic principle contrary rule specifies unaccepted offer considered withdrawn fed rule civ proc assuming case live plaintiff stake grant relief litigation carries unmooted ibid adopt justice kagan analysis every appeals ruling issue post genesis accordingly hold gomez complaint effaced campbell unaccepted offer satisfy individual claim earlier recounted see supra gomez commenced action campbell violation tcpa suing behalf others similarly situated gomez sought treble statutory damages injunction behalf nationwide class campbell settlement offer proposed relief gomez alone admit liability app pet cert gomez rejected campbell settlement terms offer judgment basic principles contract law campbell settlement bid rule offer judgment rejected continuing efficacy see genesis healthcare kagan dissenting slip absent gomez acceptance campbell settlement offer remained proposal binding neither campbell gomez see app pet cert please advise whether gomez accept campbell offer rejected campbell settlement bid given campbell continuing denial liability gomez gained entitlement relief campbell previously offered see eliason henshaw wheat undeniable principle law contracts offer bargain one person another imposes obligation upon former accepted latter short settlement offer still operative parties remained adverse retained stake litigation outset federal rule point rule hardly supports argument unaccepted settlement offer moot complaint offer judgment rule provides considered withdrawn accepted within days service fed rule civ proc sole sanction ultimate judgment favorable unaccepted offer offeree must pay costs incurred offer made rule urging offer judgment render controversy moot campbell features trio railroad tax cases california san pablo tulare little bowers san mateo county southern pacific none decisions suggests unaccepted settlement offer put plaintiff san pablo california sued recover state county taxes due railroad response railroad merely offered pay taxes question actually deposited full amount demanded california bank state name accord california statute extinguished railroad tax obligations upon payment san pablo thus rested california substantive law required state accept taxpayer full payment amount controversy san mateo little similarly involved actual payment taxes suit brought three cases railroad payments fully satisfied asserted tax claims extinguished san mateo little contrast cases campbell highlights settlement offer campbell extended gomez expired gomez remained emptyhanded tcpa complaint campbell opposed merits stood wholly unsatisfied gomez individual claim made moot expired settlement offer claim retain vitality time involved determining whether case proceed behalf class class lacks independent status certified see sosna iowa class representative live claim must accorded fair opportunity show certification warranted chief justice dissent asserts decision transfers authority federal courts hands plaintiff post quite contrary dissent approach place defendant driver seat encountered kindred strategy bancorp mortgage bonner mall partnership parties bancorp reached voluntary settlement case pending petitioner sought vacatur appeals judgment contending relieved adverse decision ground settlement made dispute moot rejected gambit similarly campbell sought avoid potential adverse decision one expose damages larger bid gomez declined accept sum unaccepted settlement offer offer judgment moot plaintiff case district retained jurisdiction adjudicate gomez complaint ruling suffices decide case need decide whether result different defendant deposits full amount plaintiff individual claim account payable plaintiff enters judgment plaintiff amount question appropriately reserved case hypothetical iii second question us whether campbell status federal contractor renders immune suit violating tcpa sending text messages unconsenting recipients agencies undisputed subject tcpa prohibitions statute lifts immunity brief brief respondent federal contractors share government unqualified immunity liability litigation hold overnment contractors obtain certain immunity connection work pursuant contractual undertakings brady roosevelt immunity however unlike sovereign absolute see campbell asserts derivative sovereign immunity brief petitioner offer authority notion private persons performing government work acquire government embracive immunity contractor violates federal law government explicit instructions alleged derivative immunity shields contractor suit persons adversely affected violation campbell urges two decisions support derivative immunity defense yearsley filarsky delia yearsley landowner asserted claim damages private company whose work building dikes missouri river pursuant contract federal government washed away part plaintiff land held contractor answerable landowner work contractor done river bed observed authorized directed government performed pursuant act congress internal quotation marks omitted government authority carry project validly conferred done within constitutional power congress explained liability part contractor simply performed government directed contrasted yearsley cases government agent exceeded authority authority validly conferred circumstances said agent held liable conduct causing injury another filarsky considered whether private attorney temporarily retained municipal government investigator claim qualified immunity action brought finding distinction common law public servants private individuals engaged public service held investigator assert qualified immunity lawsuit slip qualified immunity reduces risk contractors shy away government work doctrine bounded way campbell derivative immunity plea qualified immunity may overcome defendant knew known conduct violated right established time episode suit ginsburg concurring slip citing harlow fitzgerald campbell contend tcpa requirements navy instructions failed qualify clearly established pretrial stage litigation construe record light favorable party seeking avoid summary disposition gomez matsushita elec industrial zenith radio opposition summary judgment gomez presented evidence navy authorized campbell send text messages individuals opted receive solicitations app navy representative noted importance ensuring message recipient list kosher recipients consented receiving messages like recruiting text made clear navy relied campbell representation list compliance app see also ibid noting campbell encouraged navy use list order meet national local law requirements short current record reveals basis arguing gomez right remain doubt campbell complied navy instructions overlook subcontractor mindmatics campbell dispatched navy recruiting message unconsenting recipients federal communications commission ruled federal principles agency vicarious liability tcpa violations joint petition filed dish network llc fcc rcd ninth circuit deferred ruling cause question campbell vicarious liability mindmatics conduct however way advances campbell contention acquired sovereign immunity suit based contract navy reasons stated judgment appeals ninth circuit affirmed case remanded proceedings consistent opinion ordered thomas concurring judgment company petitioner jose gomez writ certiorari appeals ninth circuit january justice thomas concurring judgment correctly concludes offer complete relief claim render claim moot view advance sound basis conclusion rests conclusion modern contract law principles recent dissent concerning federal rule civil procedure see ante rest instead history tenders history led rule demonstrates mere offer sum owed insufficient eliminate jurisdiction decide case offer related therefore concur judgment text article iii requirement requirement drafting history precedents appear provide sufficiently specific principles resolve case faced uncertainty seems particularly important us look courts traditionally viewed defendant offer pay plaintiff alleged damages history stretches common law directly rule modern settlement offers reveals one unbroken practice resolve case defendant offer pay plaintiff without deprived jurisdiction offers thus bar federal courts continuing hear case modern settlement procedure origins law tenders refined centuries much early common law law tenders many rigid formalities formalities make clear around time framing mere offer relief insufficient deprive jurisdiction common law prospective defendant prevent case proceeding needed provide substantially bare offer mere proposal proposition pay claim inadequate end case hunt treatise law tender bringing money hunt citing cases defendant readiness ability pay money suffice end case holmes holmes barb rather prospective defendant needed provide tender offer pay entire claim suit filed accompanied actually produc ing sum time tender unconditional manner bacon new abridgment law citing cases early furthermore state federal courts tender amount due deemed admission liability cause action tender related defendant tried deny liability effectuate tender hunt see cottier stimpson explaining tender constitutes admission cause action rossend castle dillenback rossend castle sdny one treatise explained tender must specific sum tenderor admits due must denial debt hunt emphasis added tender offer actually deliver complete relief see sheredine gaul dall defendant must brin money offer pay less demanded valid tender see elderkin fellows even potential defendant properly effectuated tender case necessarily end common law plaintiff entitled deny tender sufficient satisfy demand accordingly go trial raiford governor see also hunt history demonstrates common law defendant prospective defendant furnish far mere offer settlement end case history also demonstrates courts common law understood mere offer strip jurisdiction although state statutes expanded regime law retained essential features see bone encourage settlement rule offers judgment history federal rules civil procedure nw rev bone changes example allowed defendants offer tender pendency action well commenced taylor brooklyn elevated cf colby reed common law generally right tender action brought statutes also expanded right tender cover types actions damages certain compare dedekam vose cas sdny ender maintained according strict principles common law cases damages easily ascertainable patrick illawaco oyster state statute extend ed rule tort actions nevertheless state statutes generally retained core tender rules critically case mere offer remained insufficient end lawsuit see kilts seeber pr new york law mere offer insufficient preclude litigation like tender rules state statutes recognized plaintiffs continue pursue litigation rejecting offer see bone procedure rule modeled provision new york field code enacted century see code abrogated many formalities governing civil procedure among innovations code allowed defendants cause action make offer writing plaintiff proposing accept judgment defendant specified sum see code procedure state new york comprising act originally enacted various amendments made thereto close session plaintiff accept offer end litigation reject offer case offer considered drawn without admission liability defendant ibid rule adopted part federal rules civil procedure subsisted throughout years without material changes see bone rule authorizes party defending claim serve opposing party offer allow judgment specified terms rule rule also provides plaintiff option accept reject offer plaintiff accepts offer clerk must enter judgment unaccepted offer considered withdrawn rules withdrawn offers unlike tenders used admission defendants rule light history discussed rejected offer end case consistent historical practice demonstrates offers divest federal jurisdiction entertain gomez suit made two settlement offers gomez sued one filed district rule one freestanding settlement offer neither offers company make payment declared intent pay offered pay gomez claim took steps deprived jurisdiction ii although reaches right result adopt reasoning building dissent genesis healthcare symczyk relies principles contract law unaccepted offer legal nullity question whether offer formed enforceable contract question whether continuing offer complete relief eliminated case controversy required article iii looking contract law one recent rule opinion fails confront broader issue instead believe must resolve meaning case controversy article iii looking traditional fundamental limitations upon powers courts cases controversies virtually meaning except reference tradition honig doe scalia dissenting chief justice dissent argues examining whether requirements tenders met answer whether case controversy purposes article iii post explained however courts historically refused dismiss cases offer conform strict tender rules logical implications chief justice reasoning rules conflict article iii constitution bars article iii courts following principles see colby supra stating stop litigation party must adopt measure prescribed common law except jurisdictions different mode proceeding prescribed statute reasoning therefore calls question history tradition requirement embodies chief justice also contends precedents plainly establish admission liability required case moot article iii post need decide today whether compliance every formality necessary end case dispositive point state federal courts considered mere offer without sufficient moot case none cases cited chief justice hold retrospective claim money damages become moot based mere offer california san pablo tulare inapposite decision involved fully tendered offer extinguished tax debt california law alvarez smith already llc nike also point involved claims injunctive declaratory relief became moot defendants ceased causing actual threatened injury whether claim prospective relief moot different issue case involves claims damages remedy past harms see parents involved community schools seattle school dist plaintiff sought damages complaint sufficient preserve ability consider question alvarez supra suggesting continuing controversy damages mean case moot explained follow history tradition construing article iii find mere offers deprive district jurisdiction accordingly concur judgment roberts dissenting company petitioner jose gomez writ certiorari appeals ninth circuit january chief justice roberts justice scalia justice alito join dissenting case straightforward jose gomez alleges marketing firm campbell sent text messages without permission requests relief telephone consumer protection act act permits consumers recover statutory damages unauthorized text messages based gomez allegations maximum recover act per text message plus costs filing suit campbell offered pay gomez amount turns wants wants federal say right problem gomez federal courts exist resolve real disputes rule plaintiff entitlement relief already taking said principle fundamental judiciary proper role system government constitutional limitation jurisdiction actual cases controversies raines byrd quoting simon eastern ky welfare rights organization actual case controversy lawsuit moot power federal courts declare law come end district found campbell agreed fully satisfy gomez claims makes case moot gomez entitled ruling merits moot case respectfully dissent president george washington sent letter chief justice john jay associate justices asking opinion rights obligations respect war great britain france politely firmly refused request concluding lines separation drawn constitution three departments government prohibit federal courts issuing advisory opinions correspondence public papers john jay johnston ed prohibition remained oldest consistent thread federal law justiciability flast cohen internal quotation marks omitted good reason derived article iii constitution limits authority federal courts adjudication cases controversies art iii case controversy requirement important check powers federal judiciary source powers marbury madison cranch chief justice marshall established province duty judicial department say law provision constitution says instead federal courts wield power decide cases controversies hose apply rule particular cases must necessity expound interpret rule ibid federal courts may exercise authority last resort necessity determination real earnest vital controversy individuals chicago grand trunk wellman see also allen wright dispute proper case controversy courts business deciding expounding law course daimlerchrysler cuno case controversy exists plaintiff defendant personal stake lawsuit camreta greene plaintiff demonstrates personal stake establishing standing sue requires personal injury fairly traceable defendant allegedly unlawful conduct likely redressed requested relief allen defendant demonstrates personal stake ongoing interest dispute camreta personal stake requirement persists every stage lawsuit enough dispute much alive suit filed parties must continue personal stake outcome lawsuit prevent case becoming moot lewis continental bank internal quotation marks omitted either plaintiff defendant ceases concrete interest outcome litigation longer live case controversy federal decides merits case runs afoul prohibition advisory opinions applying basic principles case clear lawsuit moot agree time gomez filed suit personal stake litigation complaint gomez alleged suffered injury fact received unauthorized text messages campbell remedy injury requested statutory damages unauthorized text message later determined received one text message happened next however critical gomez initial legal volley campbell return fire instead campbell responded complaint freestanding offer pay gomez maximum amount recover statute per unauthorized text message plus costs campbell also made offer judgment terms rule federal rules civil procedure permits defendant recover certain attorney fees rule offer unaccepted plaintiff later recovers amount offer crucially district found parties dispute campbell rule offer reflecting terms freestanding offer fully satisfied individual claims asserted asserted gomez supp cd cal plaintiff files suit seeking redress alleged injury defendant agrees fully redress injury longer case controversy purposes article iii defendant willing remedy plaintiff injury without forcing litigate plaintiff demonstrate injury need redress defendant interests adverse plaintiff point longer necessity expound interpret law marbury cranch federal courts lack authority hear case exactly happened campbell offered fully remedy gomez injury longer necessity district hear merits case rendering lawsuit true although campbell offered gomez full relief campbell yet paid affect mootness inquiry facts case campbell multimillion dollar company settlement offer thousand dollars settlement offer promises prompt payment app pet cert mere pettifoggery argue campbell might make good promise event extent question whether campbell willing able pay easy answer firm deposit certified check trial ii today holds gomez lawsuit moot according unaccepted settlement offer like unaccepted contract offer legal nullity operative effect ante quoting genesis healthcare symczyk kagan dissenting slip concludes plaintiff feel like accepting defendant complete offer relief lawsuit moot offer ever made plaintiff judge whether federal litigation necessary mere desire federal litigation whatever reason make necessary lawsuit filed federal determine whether concrete case controversy exists parties remains true throughout litigation article iii require parties affirmatively agree settlement case becomes moot long held defendant unilaterally remedies injuries plaintiff case moot even plaintiff disagrees refuses settle dispute even defendant continues deny liability california san pablo tulare state california brought suit railroad company back taxes oral argument railroad offered pay california entire sum issue together interest penalties costs although california continued litigate case despite railroad offer complete relief concluded offer pay full sum addition deposit money bank statute state ha effect actual payment receipt money mooted case grounded decision san pablo prohibition advisory opinions explaining empowered decide moot questions abstract propositions declare government future cases principles rules law affect result thing issue case ibid although majority places great weight gomez rejection campbell offer complete relief san pablo consider agreement parties relevant question mootness said stipulation parties counsel whether case case enlarge power affect duty ibid recently alvarez smith found plaintiff refusal settle case prevent becoming moot alvarez chicago police officers seized vehicles cash six individuals individuals filed suit city two officials claiming entitled timely hearing seek return property appeals ruled plaintiffs granted certiorari oral argument parties informed cars cash returned plaintiffs longer sought return remainder cash nevertheless plaintiffs much like gomez continue dispute lawfulness state hearing procedures although plaintiffs refused settle case defendants concede hearing procedures unlawful held case moot explained dispute longer embedded actual controversy plaintiffs particular legal rights dispute solely meaning law abstracted concrete actual threatened harm falls outside scope constitutional words ibid reached similar conclusion already llc nike case nike filed suit alleging two already athletic shoes violated nike air force trademark response already filed counterclaim alleging nike trademark invalid instead litigating counterclaim nike issued unilateral covenant sue already covenant nike unconditionally irrevocably promised raise trademark unfair competition claims already based current shoe designs future colorable imitations designs slip nike however admit trademark invalid issuing covenant nike asked district dismiss counterclaim moot slip already agree nike covenant view covenant sufficient protect future trademark litigation already argued without judicial resolution dispute nike trademarks hang already operations like damoclean sword slip disagreed dismissed suit found nike demonstrated covenant encompasses nike allegedly unlawful conduct challenged conduct reasonably expected recur counterclaim moot slip precedents reflect important constitutional principle agreement plaintiff required moot case san pablo california accept railroad money exchange settling state legal claims alvarez plaintiffs receive cars cash return agreement stop litigating case already eponymous shoe company never agreed nike covenant sue cases despite plaintiff desire settle held lawsuit moot majority attempts distinguish precedents emphasizing plaintiffs three cases received complete relief point thought theory opinion acceptance required complete relief moot case consider majority discussion already nike covenant afforded already blanket protection future trademark litigation ante happened result complete relief risk underpinned already standing thus ceased exist ibid even though even though nike covenant unilateral accepted already ibid majority correct gomez accept campbell settlement legal nullity matter contract law question however whether contract whether case controversy article defendant willing give plaintiff everything asks case controversy adjudicate lawsuit case controversy requirement serves essential purpose ensures federal courts expound law last resort necessity allen internal quotation marks omitted necessity resolving live dispute reconciles exercise profound power unelected judges principles ensuring adherence proper properly limited role courts democratic society internal quotation marks omitted necessity district found campbell offered gomez full relief although gomez nonetheless wants continue litigating issue plaintiff wants federal courts may courts decide whether party continues requisite personal stake lawsuit dismiss case moot today takes important responsibility away federal courts hands plaintiff good news case limited facts majority holds offer complete relief insufficient moot case majority say payment complete relief leads result aught appears majority analysis may come differently campbell deposited offered funds district see ante leaves question another day assuming plaintiffs like gomez wo take yes answer alito dissenting company petitioner jose gomez writ certiorari appeals ninth circuit january justice alito dissenting join chief justice dissent agree defendant may extinguish plaintiff personal stake pursuing claim offering complete relief claim even plaintiff spurns offer article iii precedents make clear mootness purposes nothing talismanic plaintiff acceptance already llc nike holding nike unilateral covenant sue mooted already trademark invalidity claim write separately emphasize see linchpin finding mootness case real dispute campbell make good promise pay gomez money offered case dismissed ante opinion roberts absent fact compelled find case moot voluntary cessation cases provide useful guidance cases hold plaintiff seeks enjoin defendant conduct defendant voluntary cessation challenged conduct ordinarily render case moot dismissal mootness permit resumption challenged conduct soon case dismissed knox service employees slip obtain dismissal circumstances defendant must formidable burden showing absolutely clear allegedly wrongful behavior reasonably expected recur already supra slip quoting friends earth laidlaw environmental services toc typically applied rule cases involving claims prospective relief see knox supra slip basic principle easily translates cases like one involving claims damages defendant offers plaintiff complete relief damages claim case dismissed moot absolutely clear plaintiff able receive offered relief already supra slip consider offer complete relief defendant intention actually paying promised sums defendant whose finances shaky produce necessary funds instances question whether defendant back offer pay actual payment cases dismissed moot defendant failure follow promise pay leave plaintiff forever emptyhanded language mootness cases cases moot still grant plaintiff effectual relief knox supra slip internal quotation marks omitted namely relief sought first place plaintiff retains personal stake continuing litigation genesis healthcare symczyk slip internal quotation marks omitted offer complete relief thus always warrant dismissal campbell urges plaintiff simply move reopen dismissed case defendant fails make good offer reply brief assume true prospect reopen litigation precisely voluntary cessation cases require defendants prove dismissal plaintiff injury reasonably expected recur see reason impose similar burden defendant asserts rendered damages claim moot defendant make absolutely clear pay relief offered straightforward way simply pay money defendant might hand plaintiff certified check deposit requisite funds bank account plaintiff name see california san pablo tulare alternatively defendant might deposit money district another trusted intermediary condition money released plaintiff dismisses case moot see fed rule civ proc situations rarely serious doubt plaintiff obtain offered outright payment surest way defendant make requisite mootness showing foreclose means question whether certain defendant pay whether defendant already paid believe campbell clears mark case chief justice observes dispute campbell means pay thousand dollars offered gomez basis argue campbell might make good promise case dismissed ante thus circumstances case campbell offer complete relief rendered gomez damages claim moot necessarily true defendants particularly face substantial claims possess less secure finances extend offers questionable sincerity cf already kennedy concurring slip emphasizing formidable burden party asserting mootness noting possible doubts nike showing mootness suffice circumstances dispute campbell ability willingness pay nonetheless concludes unaccepted offer moot gomez claim disagree result facts heartened appears endorse proposition plaintiff claim moot received full redress defendant injuries asserted ante discussing already supra alvarez smith today decision thus prevent defendant actually pays complete relief either directly plaintiff trusted intermediary seeking dismissal mootness footnotes federal rule civil procedure provides relevant part making offer judgment accepted offer least days date set trial party defending claim may serve opposing party offer allow judgment specified terms costs accrued within days served opposing party serves written notice accepting offer either party may file offer notice acceptance plus proof service clerk must enter judgment unaccepted offer unaccepted offer considered withdrawn preclude later offer evidence unaccepted offer admissible except proceeding determine costs paying costs unaccepted offer judgment offeree finally obtains favorable offer offeree must pay costs incurred offer made campbell already answered complaint district construed campbell motion request summary judgment supp appeals stayed mandate pending proceedings app pet cert see bais yaakov act hooks landmark industries chapman first index tanasi new alliance bank stein buccaneers limited partnership diaz first american home buyers addition california san pablo tulare chief justice maintains two recent decisions support position alvarez smith already llc nike see post dissenting opinion reasoning opinions however consistent decision case alvarez found moot claims injunctive declaratory relief relation cars cash seized police separate proceedings state returned cars seized owners either forfeited relevant cash ha accepted final state return alvarez thus resembles railroad tax cases described alvarez plaintiffs fact received relief claim underlying property disputes ended complaint sought declaratory injunctive relief damages continuing controversy remained already concerned trademark owned nike already sought declaratory judgment invalidating trademark injury already asserted ongoing threat nike sue trademark infringement response already claim nike filed covenant sue promised bring trademark claims based already existing similar footwear designs slip found covenant sufficient overcome rule voluntary cessation generally inadequate moot claim slip true nike covenant unilateral afforded already blanket protection future trademark litigation slip risk underpinned already standing damocles sword trademark infringement suit thus ceased exist given nike embracive promise sue short alvarez already plaintiffs received full redress injuries asserted complaints contrast campbell revocable offer far providing gomez relief sought complaint gave nary penny taking plaintiff property noted plain adequate remedy hand recovery compensation yearsley disagree appeals extent described yearsley establish ing narrow rule regarding claims arising property damage caused public works projects critical yearsley involvement public works contractor performance compliance federal directions footnotes nevertheless common law strongly encouraged plaintiff accept tender penalizing plaintiffs improperly rejected plaintiff able recover damages accrued tender receive costs suit jury returned verdict either amount offered less see hunt rule remains today see fed rule civ proc taxing costs plaintiff fails recover offer judgment footnotes reach question whether gomez claim class relief prevents case becoming moot majority suggests campbell sought avoid potential adverse decision one expose damages larger bid gomez declined accept ante precedents gomez standing seek relief based solely alleged injuries others gomez interest sharing attorney fees among class members obtaining class incentive award create article iii standing see lewis continental bank interest attorney fees course insufficient create article iii case controversy none exists merits underlying claim steel citizens better environment obviously however plaintiff achieve standing litigate substantive issue bringing suit cost bringing suit litigation must give plaintiff benefit besides reimbursement costs byproduct litigation majority suggests case analogous bancorp mortgage bonner mall partnership declined vacate lower decision became moot certiorari parties voluntarily settled case bancorp inapposite involves equitable powers courts vacate judgments moot cases article iii question whether case moot first place premise bancorp federal courts parties decide case becomes moot majority position contrast leave plaintiff decide whether case moot support article theory case looks federal rule civil procedure unaccepted offer judgment considered withdrawn rule campbell made gomez rule offer freestanding settlement offer terms rule apply latter majority argument respect freestanding settlement offer rules contract law unaccepted offer legal nullity ante explained however principles article iii unaccepted offer complete relief moots case justice thomas concurring judgment decide case based whether formal tender common law suffers flaw majority opinion question whether requirements common law tender met whether case controversy purposes article iii cases discussed make clear two questions cite one example justice thomas argues tender common law must include admission liability ante precedents however plainly establish admission liability required case moot article iii see supra liberty proceed article iii precedents exist footnotes say must clear plaintiff able receive relief rather plaintiff receive relief account possibility obstinate plaintiff refuses take relief even case dismissed plaintiff thwart mootness refusing complete relief presented silver platter depositing funds district another intermediary may particularly attractive defendants ensure plaintiff obtain money yet allow defendant reclaim funds refuses dismiss case example determines offer less full relief contrary views gomez amicus reason force defendant effect transfer funds without regard whether succeeds mooting case brief american federation labor congress industrial organizations likewise believe precedents provide sufficiently specific principles resolve case apply rigid formalities tender context ante thomas concurring judgment article iii demands plaintiff always personal stake continuing litigation stake extinguished plaintiff freely able obtain full relief event case dismissed moot although resolve issue majority raises possibility defendant must pay requisite funds ente judgment plaintiff amount ante see reconciled already affirmed order dismissal judgment plaintiff plaintiff received full relief defendant already llc nike slip