The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is considering whether to grant en banc review in a class action lawsuit against State Farm Automobile Insurance Company, a decision that could have significant implications for auto insurance practices nationwide.
The case, *Jessica Clippinger v. State Farm Automobile Insurance Company* (No. 24-5421), involves plaintiff Jessica Clippinger, now known as Jessica Pyron, who filed suit on behalf of herself and all others similarly situated against the insurance giant. The lawsuit originated in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee at Memphis under case number 2:20-cv-02482, presided over by District Judge Thomas L. Parker.
State Farm filed a petition for rehearing en banc following an earlier panel decision, seeking review by the full Sixth Circuit court. The petition was decided and filed on Jan. 29, 2026, indicating the court has now ruled on whether to grant the en banc review request.
The case has drawn substantial legal firepower from both sides. Representing State Farm as appellant are attorneys from Sullivan & Cromwell LLP in Washington, D.C., including Jeffrey B. Wall and Judson O. Littleton, along with counsel from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in Los Angeles, including Theodore J. Boutrous Jr., Bradley J. Hamburger, Daniel R. Adler, and Matt Aidan Getz.
For the appellee Clippinger, the legal team includes Hank Bates and Lee Lowther from Carney Bates & Pulliam PLLC in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Jacob L. Phillips from Jacobson Phillips PLLC in Winter Park, Florida. The case has also attracted amicus curiae participation, with Adam G. Unikowsky from Jenner & Block LLP in Washington, D.C., filing briefs on behalf of interested parties.
The Sixth Circuit panel considering the matter includes Chief Judge Sutton and Circuit Judges Moore, Clay, Griffin, Kethledge, Thapar, Bush, Larsen, Nalbandian, Readler, Murphy, Davis, Mathis, Bloomekatz, Ritz, and Hermandorfer. This comprehensive judicial panel suggests the case addresses issues of substantial importance to federal circuit law.
En banc review is a rare procedural mechanism where the full court reconsiders a decision made by a three-judge panel. Courts typically grant en banc review only when a case involves questions of exceptional importance or when the panel decision conflicts with Supreme Court precedent or prior circuit decisions. The fact that State Farm sought this extraordinary review indicates the insurance company views the case as presenting fundamental legal issues.
While the specific nature of the insurance dispute is not detailed in the available court documentation, class action lawsuits against major insurers often involve allegations of unfair claims practices, policy violations, or systemic issues affecting large numbers of policyholders. Given that the case was originally filed in 2020, it has been working its way through the federal court system for several years.
The Western District of Tennessee, where the case originated, has jurisdiction over insurance disputes involving Tennessee residents and companies doing business in the state. State Farm, as one of the nation's largest auto insurers, maintains significant operations across multiple states, making federal court an appropriate venue for class action litigation that could affect policyholders beyond state boundaries.
The involvement of prominent law firms on both sides underscores the potential significance of the legal issues at stake. Sullivan & Cromwell and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher are among the nation's most prestigious corporate defense firms, while the plaintiff's counsel includes experienced class action attorneys who specialize in consumer protection litigation.
The timing of the en banc petition decision in late January 2026 suggests the court has now determined whether the full circuit will rehear the case. If en banc review is granted, it would signal that the Sixth Circuit views the legal questions as sufficiently important to warrant consideration by all active judges on the court.
The case's recommendation for publication under Sixth Circuit Internal Operating Procedure 32.1(b) indicates that any resulting decision will carry precedential value and could influence future insurance litigation throughout the circuit's jurisdiction, which includes Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee.
For policyholders and the insurance industry, the outcome could establish important precedents regarding auto insurance practices and consumer rights. Class action lawsuits against insurers often result in either significant settlements or court decisions that clarify the scope of insurer obligations to their customers.
The case represents the latest chapter in ongoing legal scrutiny of insurance industry practices, particularly as courts continue to balance consumer protection with industry business models in an evolving regulatory environment.