Case: Velazquez v. Legal Services Corp

1:97-cv-00182 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

Filed Date: Jan. 14, 1997

Closed Date: July 23, 2013

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

Plaintiff lawyers, indigent clients, and grantees filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, alleging that government restrictions on the activities of organizations who accepted federal funds distributed by the Legal Services Corporation ("LSC") were unconstitutional. LSC was a federally-chartered nonprofit corporation created and funded by Congress to distribute federal funds to local legal assistance programs that provided basic legal services for the indige…

Plaintiff lawyers, indigent clients, and grantees filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, alleging that government restrictions on the activities of organizations who accepted federal funds distributed by the Legal Services Corporation ("LSC") were unconstitutional.

LSC was a federally-chartered nonprofit corporation created and funded by Congress to distribute federal funds to local legal assistance programs that provided basic legal services for the indigent. 42 U.S.C. § 2996b (a); see Legal Services Corporation Act of 1974. To ensure that federal funds were not diverted by recipients toward activities that Congress specifically desired not to subsidize, Congress placed certain restrictions on the funds. For instance, the LSC Act prohibited the use of funds for litigation concerning nontherapeutic abortions, political activity, criminal proceedings, secondary school desegregation, military desertion, or violations of the Selective Service statute. Additional restrictions were put in place by § 504 of the Omnibus Consolidated Rescissions and Appropriations Act of 1996 (1996 Act). Among the additional restrictions, the 1996 Act prohibited representation of certain aliens and litigating challenges to existing welfare law. The Act also forbade LSC recipients from using non-LSC funds for prohibited activity, although such activity by an affiliate not under the control of the recipient was allowed. The LCS issued regulations which interpreted and implemented the restrictions set out in the 1996 Act. See e.g., LSC's program integrity regulation, 45 C.F.R. § 1610.8.

Plaintiffs challenged the LCS' program integrity regulation and the 1996 Act's restrictions relating to a recipient's lobbying and welfare reform activities as violating the First Amendment.

The District Court (Judge Frederic Block) denied plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction. Velazquez v. Legal Services Corp., 985 F.Supp. 323 (E.D.N.Y. 1997). Plaintiffs appealed. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals (Circuit Judge Leval) reversed the denial of the preliminary injunction solely with respect to the restriction on challenging the constitutionality of existing welfare laws. In all other respects, the Court of Appeals affirmed. Velazquez v. Legal Servs. Corp., 164 F.3d 757 (2d Cir. 1999). Certiorari was granted in part. Legal Servs. Corp. v. Velazquez, 529 U.S. 1052 (2000).

The Supreme Court (Justice Kennedy) affirmed the Second Circuit, holding that the restriction which prohibited recipients of LSC funds from engaging in litigation to challenge the validity of existing welfare laws violated the First Amendment. The Court reasoned that the government could not design a subsidy to effect such a "serious and fundamental restriction on advocacy of attorneys and the functioning of the judiciary." Legal Servs. Corp. v. Velazquez, 531 U.S. 533 (2001). The Supreme Court declined to review the rest of the Second Circuit opinion. Legal Servs. Corp. v. Velazquez, 532 U.S. 903 (2001).

On remand to the District Court, plaintiffs sought a preliminary injunction against defendant LSC to prevent enforcement of portions of LSC's program integrity regulation, 45 C.F.R. § 1610.8, and § 504 of the Omnibus Consolidated Rescissions and Appropriations Act of 1996 (1996 Act). In support of their request for injunctive relief, plaintiffs made the following challenges: (1) an "as-applied" challenge to the program integrity regulation under the First Amendment; (2) a facial challenge to the regulation and the 1996 Act on the grounds that they violated "fundamental principles of federalism" under the Tenth Amendment; and (3) a facial challenge under the First Amendment to the 1996 Act's restrictions on class action litigation, attorneys' fees, and soliciting clients.

The District Court granted partial injunctive relief as to the as-applied challenge to the program integrity regulation on First Amendment grounds. The District Court reasoned that the regulation created an undue burden on plaintiffs' right under the First Amendment to use non-federal funds to engage in constitutionally protected activity. Velazquez v. Legal Servs. Corp., 356 F. Supp. 2d 267 (E.D.N.Y. 2005); Velazquez v. Legal Servs. Corp., 349 F. Supp. 2d 566 (E.D.N.Y. 2004). The parties appealed.

On September 8, 2006, the Second Circuit vacated the grant of the partial preliminary injunction and remanded for further proceedings. It also ordered the District Court to dismiss Plaintiffs' Tenth Amendment claims due to lack of standing. Servs. Corp. v. Legal Servs. Corp., 462 F.3d 219 (2d Cir. 2006). Certiorari was denied. Legal Servs. for N.Y.C. v. Legal Servs. Corp., 128 S. Ct. 44 (2007).

A status conference was held on September 24, 2008 to discuss how the remainder of the litigation would proceed. The Court denied plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction on its remaining claims, and suggested that it hold an evidentiary hearing to adjudicate the remaining issues in the case.

On May 6, 2009, the parties stipulated to adjourn all proceedings, as the plaintiffs believed that Congress would enact that year new acts and statutes amending or repealing some or all of the challenged acts or statutes. The case remained adjourned until July 23, 2013, when the parties stipulated to voluntary dismissal of the case.

Summary Authors

Dan Dalton (1/4/2008)

Dan Whitman (11/16/2014)

People


Judge(s)

Block, Frederic (New York)

Breyer, Stephen Gerald (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Abel, Laura K. (New Jersey)

Bahler, Michael F. (New York)

Attorney for Defendant

Ascher, Stephen L. (New York)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1:01-cv-08371

Docket (PACER)

Dobbins v. Legal Services Corp

July 23, 2013

July 23, 2013

Docket

1:97-cv-00182

Docket (PACER)

Velazquez v. Legal Services Corp,

July 23, 2013

July 23, 2013

Docket
34

1:97-cv-00182

Memorandum & Order

Velazquez v. Legal Services Corp.

Dec. 22, 1997

Dec. 22, 1997

Order/Opinion

985 F.Supp. 323

98-06006

USCA Opinion

Velazquez v. Legal Services Corporation

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

Jan. 7, 1999

Jan. 7, 1999

Order/Opinion

164 F.3d 757

98-06006

Opinion

Velazquez v. Legal Services Corporation

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

July 2, 1999

July 2, 1999

Order/Opinion

1999 U.S.App.LEXIS 15566

99-00603

99-00960

Order Granting Petition for Writ of Certiorari

Legal Services Corporation v. Velazquez

Supreme Court of the United States

April 3, 2000

April 3, 2000

Order/Opinion

529 U.S. 1052

99-00603

Supreme Court Order

Legal Services Corporation v. Velazquez

Supreme Court of the United States

Aug. 28, 2000

Aug. 28, 2000

Order/Opinion

530 U.S. 1295

99-00603

99-00960

Supreme Court Decision

Legal Services Corporation v. Velazquez; United States v. Velazquez

Supreme Court of the United States

Feb. 28, 2001

Feb. 28, 2001

Order/Opinion

521 U.S. 533

99-00604

Order Denying Petition for Writ of Certiorari

Velazquez v. Legal Services Corporation

Supreme Court of the United States

March 5, 2001

March 5, 2001

Order/Opinion

532 U.S. 903

1:97-cv-00182

1:01-cv-08371

Memorandum & Order

Velazquez v. Legal Services Corporation

Dec. 20, 2004

Dec. 20, 2004

Order/Opinion

349 F.Supp.2d 566

Resources

Docket

Last updated March 27, 2025, 8:23 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Jan. 14, 1997

COMPLAINT filed and summons(es) issued for Legal Services Corp, Legal Services for FILING FEE $ 150.00 RECEIPT # 190973 (Chow, Alice) (Entered: 01/17/1997)

PACER
2 Jan. 21, 1997

RETURN OF SERVICE executed as to Legal Services Corp, Legal Services for NY on 1/15/97. Answer due on 2/4/97 for Legal Services for NY , for Legal Services Corp. (Greves, Liz) (Entered: 01/23/1997)

PACER
3 Jan. 27, 1997

Pltffs' Amended Disclosure of interested parties. (Greves, Liz) (Entered: 01/29/1997)

PACER
4 Jan. 27, 1997

Pltffs' AMENDED COMPLAINT, (Answer due 2/6/97 for Legal Services for New York City, for Legal Services Corp. ) amending [1−1] complaint (Romano, Dan) (Entered: 01/30/1997)

PACER
Jan. 27, 1997

AMENDED SUMMONS(ES) issued for Legal Services Corp, Legal Services for New York, Inc. (Romano, Dan) (Entered: 02/04/1997)

PACER
5 Jan. 30, 1997

ORDER dated 1/29/97 that a status conference will be held at 4PM on 3/7/97 before Magistrate John L. Caden. (signed by Magistrate John L. Caden). (Greves, Liz) (Entered: 01/30/1997)

PACER
8 Feb. 12, 1997

AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE by Genevieve Lengard Re: [4−1] amended complaint, amended disclosure of interested parties upon Legal Services for New York City on 1/28/97. (Piper, Francine) (Entered: 03/12/1997)

PACER
6 Feb. 18, 1997

NOTICE of attorney appearance for Legal Services Corp by Alan Levine. (Asreen, Wendy) (Entered: 02/21/1997)

PACER
9 Feb. 19, 1997

Calendar entry: Before Judge Block on 2/19/97 case called; counsel for all sides present. Status conferenc held by phone. Preliminary injunction hearing set for 2:00 3/24/97 before Judge Frederic Block . All papers must be filed with the Court by 3/14/97. (Romano, Dan) (Entered: 03/17/1997)

PACER
7 Feb. 21, 1997

STIPULATION of dismissal dated among plaintiffs and Legal Services for New York City. (Asreen, Wendy) (Entered: 02/21/1997)

PACER
10 March 14, 1997

LETTER dated 3/14/97 from Kaye, Scholer, Fireman, Hays &Handler to Alan Levine, Services of Class Certification and Preliminary Injunction. (Romano, Dan) (Entered: 03/18/1997)

PACER
24 March 14, 1997

USA's Notice of UNOPPOSED MOTION to intervene. (Greves, Liz) (Entered: 04/16/1997)

PACER
25 March 16, 1997

MEMORANDUM by USA in support of [24−1] motion to intervene. (Greves, Liz) (Entered: 04/16/1997)

PACER
11 March 20, 1997

ANSWER to Complaint by Legal Services Corp. (Greves, Liz) (Entered: 03/20/1997)

PACER
13 March 21, 1997

Pltffs' MOTION for class certification &a preliminary injunction. Motion hearing 3/24/97 at 10AM. (Greves, Liz) (Entered: 03/26/1997)

PACER
14 March 21, 1997

Declarations &Affidavits in support of pltffs' motion for class certification &preliminary injunction. (Declarations &Affidavits A thru M annexed). (Greves, Liz) (Entered: 03/26/1997)

PACER
15 March 21, 1997

Pltffs' Memo of Law in support of pltffs' motion for a preliminary injunction. (Greves, Liz) (Entered: 03/26/1997)

PACER
16 March 21, 1997

Pltffs' Supplemental Memo of Law in support of their motion for a preliminary injunction. (Greves, Liz) (Entered: 03/26/1997)

PACER
18 March 21, 1997

MEMORANDUM by Legal Services Corp in opposition to pltffs' [13−1] motion for class certification &a preliminary injunction. (Greves, Liz) (Entered: 03/26/1997)

PACER
19 March 21, 1997

Declarations in support of defts' opposition to pltffs' motion for a preliminary injunction. (Declaratins A &B &Exhbitis 2, 3, 4, &5 annexed). (Greves, Liz) (Entered: 03/26/1997)

PACER
20 March 21, 1997

Pltffs' REPLY MEMORANDUM OF LAW re: [13−1] motion for class certification &a preliminary injunction. (Greves, Liz) (Entered: 03/26/1997)

PACER
21 March 21, 1997

MEMORANDUM by Legal Services Corp in opposition to [13−1] motion for preliminary injunction. (Greves, Liz) (Entered: 03/26/1997)

PACER
23 March 21, 1997

ORDER, dated 3/26/97 granting pltff permission to file Reply Memorandum which is five pages longer than the Court's ten page limit. ( signed by Judge Frederic Block ). (Gonzalez, Mary) (Entered: 04/04/1997)

PACER
26 March 21, 1997

OPPOSITION of Intervenor−deft USA to pltffs' [13−1] motion for a preliminary injunction. (Greves, Liz) (Entered: 04/16/1997)

PACER
12 March 24, 1997

Calendar entry before Mag. Caden dated March 24, 1997. All counsel has advised the Mag. Judge nothing by way of discovery is presently contemplated if a Rule 16(b) conf is required, counsel will so advise the Mag. Judge. (Joseph, Derek) (Entered: 03/25/1997)

PACER
22 March 26, 1997

TRANSCRIPT of hearing before Judge Block filed for dates of 3/24/97. ESR Operator R. Eppenstein. (Greves, Liz) (Entered: 03/27/1997)

PACER
27 April 22, 1997

LETTER dated 3/31/97 from Alan Levine to Judge Block, submitting this letter to request that the Court consider the following in connection with pltffs' motion for a preliminary injunction. (Romano, Dan) (Entered: 04/22/1997)

PACER
28 June 17, 1997

LETTER dated 5/22/97 from Alan Levine to Judge Block, advising the Court that, since oral argument in this matter LSC has made material changes to its regulations concerning "interrelated organizations", and "program integrity". (Romano, Dan) (Entered: 06/17/1997)

PACER
29 June 18, 1997

LETTER dated 5/29/97 from Jeffrey Markowitz to Judge Block, responding to the letter sent to the Court by Alan Levine, on behalf of deft LSC regarding promulgated regulations. (Romano, Dan) (Entered: 06/18/1997)

PACER
32 July 30, 1997

LETTER dated 5/27/97 from E. Joshua Rosekranz to Judge Block, requesting that the Court should enjoin the restrictions on the use of non−LSC funds. (Romano, Dan) (Entered: 07/30/1997)

PACER
33 Nov. 13, 1997

LETTER dated 9/22/97 from Peter M. Fishbein to Judge Block re: plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction. Final new regulations have been approved and a proposed plan for creating an affiliate entity has been concretely rejected by LSC pursuant to 45:1610. (Guzzi, Roseann) (Entered: 11/13/1997)

PACER
34 Dec. 31, 1997

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER denying plaintiffs' [13−1] motion for preliminary injunctive relief, as plaintiffs have failed to establish a probability of success on the merits of their facial constitutional challenge. Signed by Judge Frederic Block on 12/22/97. c/m (Asreen, Wendy) (Entered: 12/31/1997)

PACER
35 Jan. 12, 1998

NOTICE OF APPEAL by Carmen Velazquez, WEP Workers Together, Community Service, New York City Co, Centro Independiente, Greater N.Y. Labor−, Farmworkers Legal, Lucy A. Billings, Peggy Earisman, Olive Karen Stamm, Jeanette Zelhof, Elisabeth Benjamin, Jill Ann Boskey, Lauren Shapiro, C. Virginia Fields, Guillermo Linares, Stanley Michels, Adam Clayton Powell IV, Lawrence Seabrook, Scott M. Stringer Fee Paid $ 105.00 Receipt # 202707 Notice of Appeal and certified copy of docket sent appealing [34−1] order. NOA served by the Clerk. Judge notified. C of A notified. (Gonzalez, Mary) (Entered: 01/13/1998)

PACER
36 Jan. 16, 1998

Calendar entry: Before Judge Block−Case called, all counsel present and conference held. Discovery rulings made on the record. Plaintiffs appeal is pending in the Second Circuit. Galeano, Sonia (Entered: 01/22/1998)

PACER
37 Feb. 5, 1998

LETTER dated 6/5/97 from Peter M. Fishbein to Judge Block that Jeffrey S. Markowitz' letter of 5/29/97 misses the point of plaintiffs' objections to LSC's latest version of its regulations in such a way as to illuminate the unconstitutionality of taking the Title X regulations approved in Rust and applying them willy nilly in the context of legal services. (Guzzi, Roseann) (Entered: 02/05/1998)

PACER
Feb. 5, 1998

Document #30 and #31 were letters that did not belong to this case. Deleted. Those documents cannot be found at this time, if and when found they need to be docketed in the correct case which is case #95cv3403. (Guzzi, Roseann) (Entered: 02/05/1998)

PACER
38 Feb. 6, 1998

ORDER dated 1/20/98 that defendant is ordered to provide plaintiffs with information regarding those applications for funding that have been submitted since issuance of its "final regulations" on 5/21/97, said information to include the name and address of all applicants, the date of the application, the nature of the application, the action taken by the defendant in respect thereto, and any stated reasons for the denial of any such applications. Defendant shall provide plaintiffs' counsel with access to such document for inspection and copying, at plaintiffs' own expense. All other discovery shall be stayed pending a decision from the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit from this Court's denial of plaintiff's motin for a preliminary injunction. C/M ( signed by Judge Frederic Block ) (Guzzi, Roseann) (Entered: 02/06/1998)

PACER
39 Feb. 11, 1998

(copy) LETTER dated 9/25/97 from Jeffrey Markowitz, Esq., to Judge Block, stating that nothing in the 9/22/97 letter of Peter M. Fishbein affects or alters the inquiry before the Court. (Asreen, Wendy) (Entered: 02/11/1998)

PACER
40 Feb. 11, 1998

(copy) LETTER dated 9/26/97 from Alan Levine, attorney for Legal Service Corp., to Judge Block, stating that no plaintiff has attempted to comply with the program integrity regulations and therefore the court should deny their request for a preliminary injunction. (Asreen, Wendy) (Entered: 02/11/1998)

PACER
Feb. 12, 1998

Certified and transmitted (INDEX) record on appeal to U.S. Court of Appeals: [35−1] appeal . Acknowledgment requested. (Gonzalez, Mary) (Entered: 02/12/1998)

PACER
41 Feb. 20, 1998

Acknowledgment from USCA received re: [35−1] appeal. Acknowledgment signed by DMS on 2/17/98. (McGee, Maryann) (Entered: 02/20/1998)

PACER
42 Aug. 24, 1998

LETTER dated 01.23.98 from Stephen L. Ascher to Judge Block requesting clarification of Your Honor's Order concerning discovery in this matter. Galeano, Sonia (Entered: 08/24/1998)

PACER
43 Sept. 2, 1999

MANDATE OF USCA (certified copy) Re: [35−1] appeal. Ordered, Adjudged and Decreed that the Order of the District Court is Affirmed in part and reversed in part in accordance with the opinion of this Court. Issued as Mandate 8/25/99. Acknowledgment returned to USCA. Judge notified. USCA#98−6006. (McGee, Maryann) (Entered: 09/02/1999)

PACER
June 13, 2000

CASE NO LONGER REFERRED TO Magistrate John L. Caden (Chow, Alice) (Entered: 06/15/2000)

PACER
June 13, 2000

CASE REFERRED to Magistrate Viktor V. Pohorelsky (Chow, Alice) (Entered: 06/15/2000)

PACER
44 Aug. 29, 2000

(FAX)LETTER dated 7/10/00 from Denise H. McNery to U.S. Court of Appeals requesting that the record be transmitted to the Supreme Court of the United States. Supreme Court #99−603 and #99−960. USCA#98−6006. Please note: although this letter is dated 7/10/00, it was not received by the District Court until 8/28/00 via fax from Fred Nunnery − USCA. (McGee, Maryann) (Entered: 08/29/2000)

PACER
Aug. 29, 2000

Certified and transmitted record on appeal to Supreme Court for the United States − Office of the Clerk. The following documents were forwarded: 1−3, 5−10, 12,14,19,35,36,38,39,40. The remainder of the file is missing at this time. Record was requested by Denise McNerney (see document #44). It is being sent to her attention. Supreme Court docket #99−603 and 99−960. Acknowledgment requested. (McGee, Maryann) (Entered: 08/29/2000)

PACER
Aug. 29, 2000

Record forwarded to Supreme Court of the United States via Federal Express. Federal Express Tracking #809824547710. (McGee, Maryann) (Entered: 08/29/2000)

PACER
Aug. 30, 2000

Transmitted first supplemental record on appeal. The following documents were forwarded to the Supreme Court − Washington D.C #22, 24, 26, 25, 32, 33, 43 and 44. This package is being sent via Federal Express to the attention of Denise J. McNerney (Merits Cases). Tracking #814414125528 (McGee, Maryann) (Entered: 08/30/2000)

PACER
48 June 7, 2001

LETTER dated 6/6/01 from William R. Kirschner to Robert C. Heinemann, enclosing copies of the notice of appearance of William R. Kirschner. "Attachment" (Sica, Michele) (Entered: 06/20/2001)

PACER
50 June 7, 2001

NOTICE of attorney appearance for usa by William R. Kirschner (Sica, Michele) (Entered: 06/25/2001)

PACER
45 June 15, 2001

LETTER dated 5/8/0 from Burt Neuborne to Judge Block on behalf of plaitiff requesting a status conference. (Guzzi, Roseann) (Entered: 06/15/2001)

PACER
46 June 15, 2001

LETTER dated 5/18/01 from Alan Levine to Judge Block on behalf of Legal Services Corporation in response to plaintiff's request for status conference. (Guzzi, Roseann) (Entered: 06/15/2001)

PACER
49 June 15, 2001

LETTER dated 6/4/01 from Charles S. Sims to Michael J. Innelli, requesting the court advise whether or not Legal Services of New York need appear at the status conference set for 6/20/01. (Sica, Michele) (Entered: 06/21/2001)

PACER
51 June 26, 2001

LETTER dated 6/12/01 from David S. Udell to Judge Block, confirming the adjournment of the status conf. from 6/20/01 to 6/26/01 at 5:00. (DiLorenzo, Krista) (Entered: 06/26/2001)

PACER
52 June 26, 2001

Calendar entry: Before Judge Block − Status conf. held. All counsel present; counsel will submit briefs with respect to discovery and the standing issue of the parties. (DiLorenzo, Krista) (Entered: 06/27/2001)

PACER
53 Aug. 14, 2001

LETTER dated 8/10/01 from Burt Neuborne to Alan and Will, written to ask if the Legal Services Corporation has given additional thought to the possibility, suggested by Alan at the recent status conference, that there may be some opportunity to settle this case. (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 08/14/2001)

PACER
54 Oct. 17, 2001

LETTER dated 8/10/01 from Burt Neuborne to Alan Levine and Will Kirschner, inquiring whether the Legal Servicves Corp. has given additional thought to the possibility suggested at the recent status conference. (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 10/17/2001)

PACER
55 Oct. 17, 2001

LETTER dated 10/11/01 from David Udell to Stephen Wieder and Will Kirschner, written to cnfirm that he is planning to serve plaintiffs' papers on 10/26/01. (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 10/17/2001)

PACER
56 Oct. 30, 2001

LETTER dated 10/26/01 from David Udell to Stephen Wieder and Will Kirshner confirming that plaintiff's papers will be served on 11/9/01. (Rodriguez,Angela) (Entered: 10/31/2001)

PACER
57 Nov. 14, 2001

LETTER dated 11/8/01 from David Udell to Stephen Wieder and Will Kirschner, confirming 11/16/01 as the proposed date for submission of plaintiffs' papers. (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 11/14/2001)

PACER
58 Nov. 20, 2001

LETTER dated 11/16/01 from David Udell to Stephen Wieder and Will Kirschner, advising that plaintiffs' now plan to serve their papers on 11/20/01. (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 11/20/2001)

PACER
59 Dec. 6, 2001

LETTER dated 11/30/01 from David Udell to Stephen Wieder and Will Kirschner, written to advise that plaintiffs now plan to serve their papers on 12/14/01. (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 12/06/2001)

PACER
62 Dec. 14, 2001

MOTION by plt's for consolidation and a preliminary injunction . W/attached a−n. Forwarded to Chambers. (Noh, Kenneth) (Entered: 03/06/2002)

PACER
63 Dec. 14, 2001

MEMORANDUM by plt's in support of [62−1] motion to consolidate Velazquez v. Legal Services Corporation and Dobbins v. Legal Services Corporation. Forwarded to Chambers. (Noh, Kenneth) (Entered: 03/06/2002)

PACER
64 Dec. 14, 2001

MEMORANDUM of law in support of plt's [62−2] motion for a preliminary injunction. Forwarded to Chambers. (Noh, Kenneth) (Entered: 03/06/2002)

PACER
65 Dec. 14, 2001

LETTER dated 12.14.1 from Burt Neuborne to USDJ Block re: status. (Noh, Kenneth) (Entered: 03/06/2002)

PACER
60 Jan. 8, 2002

LETTER dated 1/7/02 from Stephen Wieder to Judge Block, stating that parties have agreed that responses to plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction and to consolidate, and to the complaint in the Dobbins action, will be served by 1/22/02. (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 01/08/2002)

PACER
61 Feb. 6, 2002

LETTER dated 2/5/02 from Stephen Wieder to Judge Block, advising the Court that the parties have agreed that responses to plaintiffs' motions for a preliminary injunction and to consolidate has been reset 4/12/02. (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 02/06/2002)

PACER
66 April 16, 2002

LETTER dated 4/10/02 from Stephen Ascher to Judge Block, advisng the Court that the parties have agreed that LSC's and U.Ss' responses to plaintiff's motoin for a preliminary injunction and to consolidate is adjourned to 5/3/02. (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 04/16/2002)

PACER
67 April 25, 2002

Acknowledge recipt of this APPEAL RECORD returned from Supreme Court of Washington, DC. Office, containing documents 2−14,19,22,23,23,26,32,35,35,38−44.( Copy of this letter of Acknowledgment sent back to Supreme Court of Washington DC.) (SCWDC#99−603,960) (Drayton, Lorraine) Modified on 04/25/2002 (Entered: 04/25/2002)

PACER
68 May 8, 2002

COPY of LETTER dated 5/3/02 from Stephen Ascher to David Udell, regarding enclosure of motion to dismiss papers. w/o enclosures. (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 05/08/2002)

PACER
70 June 13, 2002

LETTER dated 5/1/02 from Stephen Ascher to Judge Block, on behalf of deft LSC requesting permission to submit a memo of law of not more than 40 pages. (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 06/13/2002)

PACER
84 July 19, 2002

MOTION for amici curiae by Council on Foundations, Inc. Independent Sector, AARP Foundation, et al , Motion hearing [84−1] motion Motion file stamped: 6/19/02 (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 08/01/2002)

PACER
85 July 19, 2002

Brief in support of [84−1] motion for amici curiae by Council on Foundations, Inc. Independent Sector, AARP Foundation, et al (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 08/01/2002)

PACER
72 July 22, 2002

AFFIDAVIT of Stephen Ascher attorney for Legal Services Corp Re: certain documents before the COurt in opposition to plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction and in support of LSC's motion to dismiss the complaint. Attached exhibits A−J. (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 07/24/2002)

PACER
73 July 22, 2002

MOTION by Legal Services Corp to dismiss , Motion hearing [73−1] motion Motion file stamped: 7/22/02 and mailed/served: 5/3/02. (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 07/24/2002)

PACER
76 July 22, 2002

Declaration of Laurie Tarantowicz in opposition to plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction and in support of LSC's Re: [73−1] motion to dismiss (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 07/24/2002)

PACER
77 July 22, 2002

MOTION by Scott M. Stringer, Lawrence Seabrook, Adam Clayton Powell IV, Stanley Michels, Guillermo Linares, C. Virginia Fields, Lauren Shapiro, Jill Ann Boskey, Elisabeth Benjamin, Jeanette Zelhof, Olive Karen Stamm, Peggy Earisman, Lucy A. Billings, Farmworkers Legal, Greater N.Y. Labor−, Centro Independiente, New York City Co, Community Service, Carmen Velazquez, WEP Workers Together to consolidate cases and a preliminary injunction , Motion hearing [77−1] motion Motion file stamped: 7/22/02 and mailed/served: 12/17/01. Attached exhibit A−N and 1−36. (Dobkin, David) Modified on 07/24/2002 (Entered: 07/24/2002)

PACER
78 July 22, 2002

MEMORANDUM of law by Legal Services Corp in opposition to plaintiff's [77−1] motion to consolidate cases and a preliminary injunction, and in support of its [73−1] motion to dismiss. (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 07/24/2002)

PACER
79 July 22, 2002

REPLY MEMORANDUM OF LAW by Legal Services Corp in further support of its [73−1] motion to dismiss (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 07/24/2002)

PACER
80 July 22, 2002

MEMORANDUM of law by Scott M. Stringer, Lawrence Seabrook, Adam Clayton Powell IV, Stanley Michels, Guillermo Linares, C. Virginia Fields, Lauren Shapiro, Jill Ann Boskey, Elisabeth Benjamin, Jeanette Zelhof, Olive Karen Stamm, Peggy Earisman, Lucy A. Billings, Farmworkers Legal, Greater N.Y. Labor−, Centro Independiente, New York City Co, Community Service, Carmen Velazquez, WEP Workers Together in support of its [77−1] motion to consolidate cases and a preliminary injunction (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 07/24/2002)

PACER
83 July 22, 2002

MOTION by Scott M. Stringer, Lawrence Seabrook, Adam Clayton Powell IV, Stanley Michels, Guillermo Linares, C. Virginia Fields, Lauren Shapiro, Jill Ann Boskey, Elisabeth Benjamin, Jeanette Zelhof, Olive Karen Stamm, Peggy Earisman, Lucy A. Billings, Farmworkers Legal, Greater N.Y. Labor−, Centro Independiente, New York City Co, Community Service, Carmen Velazquez, WEP Workers Together to consolidate cases Velazquez V. Legal Services Corporation and Dobbins v. Legal Services Corporation , Motion hearing [83−1] motion Motion file stamped: 7/22/02 and mailed/served: 12/17/02 (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 07/24/2002)

PACER
71 July 23, 2002

LETTER dated 7/17/02 from Anne Nacinovich to David Udell re: enclosure of reply memo of law in support of legal services Corps motion to dismiss the complaint. w/o enclosure. (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 07/23/2002)

PACER
74 July 24, 2002

Declaration of Randi Youells in opposition to plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction and in support of LSC's Re: [73−1] motion to dismiss (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 07/24/2002)

PACER
75 July 24, 2002

Declaration of Danilo A. Cardona in opposition to plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction and in support of LSC's Re: [73−1] motion to dismiss (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 07/24/2002)

PACER
81 July 24, 2002

REPLY MEMORANDUM OF LAW by Scott M. Stringer, Lawrence Seabrook, Adam Clayton Powell IV, Stanley Michels, Guillermo Linares, C. Virginia Fields, Lauren Shapiro, Jill Ann Boskey, Elisabeth Benjamin, Jeanette Zelhof, Olive Karen Stamm, Peggy Earisman, Lucy A. Billings, Farmworkers Legal, Greater N.Y. Labor−, Centro Independiente, New York City Co, Community Service, Carmen Velazquez, WEP Workers Together in reply to the govt's opposition to motion for a preliminary injunction and in opposition to the govt's motion to dismiss. (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 07/24/2002)

PACER
86 Aug. 1, 2002

ORDER granting [84−1] motion for amici curiae by Council on Foundations, Inc. Independent Sector, AARP Foundation, et al ( signed by Judge Frederic Block , on 6/19/02) (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 08/01/2002)

PACER
89 Aug. 2, 2002

MOTION for leave of Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York, Inc. to appear amicus curiae , Motion hearing [89−1] motion Motion file stamped: 8/2/02 and mailed/served: 8/1/02 (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 08/08/2002)

PACER
87 Aug. 5, 2002

LETTER dated 8/1/02 from David Udell to Judge Block, regarding the court of discovery disputes in the above case. (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 08/05/2002)

PACER
88 Aug. 7, 2002

LETTER dated 8/6/02 from Stephen Ascher to Judge Block, requesting that the court hear oral argument on the jurisdictional issues before the currently scheduled discovery conference, and without receiving any additional briefing. (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 08/07/2002)

PACER
90 Aug. 8, 2002

ORDER granting [89−1] motion for leave of Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York, Inc. to appear amicus curiae ( signed by Judge Frederic Block , ) (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 08/08/2002)

PACER
91 Aug. 12, 2002

LETTER dated 8/9/02 from David Udell to Judge Block, stating that the Court not schedule oral argument until LSC has completed production of the documents plaintiffs seek, and until plaintiffs have had a chance to submit any relevant discovery materials to the Court. (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 08/12/2002)

PACER
92 Sept. 12, 2002

LETTER dated 9/10/02 from David Udell to Judge Block, written to update the status of discovery. (original docketed under 97−cv−182 document # 92). (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 09/12/2002)

PACER
93 Oct. 7, 2002

NOTICE of attorney appearance for usa by Richard G. Lepley (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 10/07/2002)

PACER
96 Oct. 9, 2002

Calendar entry: Case called on 10/9/02 before Mag. Pohorelsky for initial scheduling. Counsel for parties. SCHEDULING AND RULING: 1. The next conference is adjourned sine die. Counsel shall advise the court of any date scheduled by Judge Block for oral argument or any other proceeding before him, and shall appear for a brief status conf immediately after the oral argument or other proceeding concludes; 2. The pltf's application to compel discovery is DENIED for the reasons set forth on the record. (Fernandez, Erica) (Entered: 10/11/2002)

PACER
94 Oct. 10, 2002

LETTER dated 9/18/02 from David Udell to Mag. Pohorelsky,stating that plaintiff served their initial disclosures and await confirmation from defts regarding whether defts have any information appropriate for disclosure at this time. Plaintiffs continue to look forward to a rescheduled conference to resolve the problem of LSC's refusal to produce documents in discovery that are directly relevant to the cross motions pending before Judge Block. (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 10/10/2002)

PACER
95 Oct. 10, 2002

LETTER dated 9/10/02 from David Udell to Mag. Pohorelsky, stating that the plaintiffs seek the Court's guidance regarding how to proceed to obtain the documents LSC has repeatedly promised but now refuses to produce. As set forth above, these documents are essential to the fair and accurate disposition of the motions pending before the district court. Attached exhibits 1−13. (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 10/10/2002)

PACER
97 Oct. 24, 2002

LETTER dated 10/24/02 from Criag Siegel to Clerk of the Court, to submit the original and two copies of Plaintiffs' Objections to Order of Mag. Pohoreleky. w/enclosure. (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 10/29/2002)

PACER
99 Oct. 24, 2002

LETTER dated 10/24/02 from David Udell to Judge Block, written to request oral argument on the parties; pending cross−motions and on plaintiuffs' request for further discovery; to enclose a new document produced by the LSC in discovery subsequent to the filing of the parties motion papers on 6/22/02; and to enclose a copy of plaintiffs' formal objections to the order of Mag. Pohorelsky entered on 10/9/02 denying further discovery. w/attachment. (Dobkin, David) (Entered: 10/29/2002)

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory:

New York

Case Type(s):

Immigration and/or the Border

Key Dates

Filing Date: Jan. 14, 1997

Closing Date: July 23, 2013

Case Ongoing: No reason to think so

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Lawyers employed by grantees of funding from Legal Services Corporation, indigent clients, and legislative contributors to LSC grantees challenging constitutionality of LSC restrictions

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Denied

Defendants

City

Legal Services for New York City

Private Entity/Person

Legal Services Corp,

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Ex Parte Young (Federal) or Bivens

Constitutional Clause(s):

Freedom of speech/association

Other Dockets:

Eastern District of New York 1:97-cv-00182

Eastern District of New York 1:01-cv-08371

Supreme Court of the United States 99-604

Supreme Court of the United States 99-603

Supreme Court of the United States 99-960

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit 98-06006

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit 05-00340

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit 05-00360

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit 05-00787

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit 05-00792

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit 05-00925

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Trial Court Docket

U.S. Supreme Court merits opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Preliminary injunction / Temp. restraining order

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Form of Settlement:

Voluntary Dismissal

Content of Injunction:

Preliminary relief granted

Issues

General/Misc.:

Access to lawyers or judicial system

Immigration/Border:

Constitutional rights

Recommended Citation