James R. LaytonOn August 25, 2021, Jim Layton addressed city officials regarding redistricting in a webinar sponsored by the Missouri Municipal League.
Cities and other political subdivisions that elect governing bodies in geographic districts must draw new district lines to reflect the results of the 2020 U.S. Census. The detailed data from the 2020 Census was released on August 12, 2021. As Jim explained, the new districts must meet federal and state requirements””most important, each district must have about the same number of residents, using new census data.
Following both the 2000 and 2010 censuses, Jim was the chief attorney for the State of Missouri on redistricting matters. In 2012, he defended cases challenging new congressional and legislative districts lines””including arguing three redistricting cases before the Missouri Supreme Court.
James Layton leads the firm’s Appellate practice group and is a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation, Labor, and Education groups. He assists clients with analysis and presentation of complex legal issues in Missouri and federal courts, both trial and appellate. In addition to handling cases himself and with other attorneys at Tueth Keeney, Jim consults with clients on appellate strategy and assists other counsel in high-stakes, complex appeals.
Jim has briefed and argued cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and before all Missouri appellate courts””including nearly 100 cases before the Missouri Supreme Court. He has represented clients in U.S. district courts and in Missouri circuit courts from Jackson County to the City of St. Louis. He has extensive experience with government-related litigation and state taxation disputes. Jim is a fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, a past president of the Bar Association of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, and a past chair of the American Bar Association’s Council of Appellate Lawyers. He is a frequent speaker in the areas of appellate practice and constitutional law, both state and federal.