Case Law Index
federal1955
Additional Highlights:Due ProcessRational Basis ReviewEconomic Regulation
Williamson v. Lee Optical Co.
United States Supreme Court
Key Holding
Under rational basis review, a law need not be the most rational solution; any conceivable rationale suffices to uphold economic legislation under the Due Process Clause.
Case Summary
Williamson v. Lee Optical established the highly deferential rational basis test for economic regulations, holding that courts will uphold economic legislation so long as there is any conceivable state of facts that could provide a rational basis for the law, even if that justification was not the legislature's actual reason.