Case: Hobby Lobby v. Sebelius

5:12-cv-01000 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma

Filed Date: Sept. 12, 2012

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Case Summary

On Sept. 12, 2012, a family of evangelical Christian business owners filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma under the First Amendment, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act ("RFRA"), and the Administrative Procedures Act ("APA"), against the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury. The plaintiffs, represented by private counsel and the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, asked the court for both declaratory and injunctive relief, alleging that federal rules adopted pursuant to the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("ACA") violated their sincerely held religious beliefs by requiring them to provide coverage for contraception through their companies' group health insurance plans. Specifically, the plaintiffs objected to the ACA rules requiring them to provide coverage for emergency contraception, which the plaintiffs considered an abortifacient. The plaintiffs did not object to other forms of contraception. Claiming that providing coverage for emergency contraception would both contravene their Christian faith and compel speech contrary to their beliefs, the plaintiffs sought an exemption from the ACA's contraception mandate for themselves and other business owners with similar religious objections.

On October 15, 2012, the District Court (Judge Joe Heaton) denied a group of current members of Congress leave to file an amicus curiae brief arguing for a broad application of RFRA. Judge Heaton found that the interests of the Congressmen coincided wholly with the interests of the plaintiffs, and that additional submissions addressing the application of RFRA were unnecessary.

In their brief opposing the injunction motion, filed October 22, 2012, the defendant Departments argued that the contraception mandate did not substantially burden the plaintiffs' religious liberty rights under RFRA, and that, regardless of the burden's magnitude, the regulations were the least restrictive means of advancing the government's compelling interests in public health and gender equality. The brief further argued that the mandate did not violate the plaintiff's religious freedom because it was a neutral law of general applicability.

On November 19, 2012, the District Court (Judge Heaton) denied the plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction, finding that secular, for-profit corporations such as Hobby Lobby did not have a constitutional right to religious freedom, and that the individual plaintiffs were not likely to prevail because the mandate was a neutral law of general applicability that was reasonably related to a legitimate government purpose. The Court further found that indirect financial support of subjectively objectionable conduct was not a substantial burden on the plaintiffs' religious freedom. Hobby Lobby v. Sebelius, 870 F. Supp. 2d 1278 (W.D. Okla. 2012).

The plaintiffs appealed the injunction denial to the 10th Circuit. On December 12, 2012, District Court Judge Heaton granted the defendants' joint motion to stay the district court proceedings pending the 10th Circuit appeal. On December 20, 2012, the Court of Appeals (Judge Carlos F. Lucero and Judge David M. Ebel) denied the plaintiffs' motion for an injunction pending appeal on the same grounds as the District Court's injunction denial. Hobby Lobby v. Sebelius, 2012 WL 6930302 (10th Cir.).

Following this denial, the plaintiffs applied to the Circuit Justice for the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, for an injunction pending appellate review. On December 26, 2012, Justice Sotomayor denied this application, finding that the plaintiffs' entitlement to injunctive relief was not indisputably clear. Hobby Lobby v. Sebelius, 133 S.Ct. 641 (2012).

On March 29, 2013, the 10th Circuit granted initial and expedited en banc review. That is, the Court decided to hear the case not via ordinary panel process, with rehearing en banc as a subsequent possibility, but rather initially in front of all the circuit's judges. Oral arguments occurred May 23, 2013.

On June 27, 2013, the 10th Circuit, en banc, reversed the District Court's injunction denial, finding that the plaintiffs were entitled to bring RFRA claims; that they had established a likelihood of successfully proving that the contraception mandate substantially burdened their RFRA rights; and that they had demonstrated irreparable harm. The 10th Circuit sent the case back to the District Court, asking the lower court to address two remaining prongs of the injunction inquiry (balance of equities and the effect on the public interest) and to decide whether to grant or deny the plaintiffs' motion for an injunction. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. v. Sebelius, 723 F.3d 1114, 2013 WL 3216103 (10th Cir. en banc).

The plaintiffs immediately filed an emergency motion asking the District Court to grant a temporary injunction pending the full injunction hearing. The District Court (Judge Heaton) granted this motion on June 28, 2013, followed up by a longer-lasting order on July 19, 2013 WL 3869832. The government sought certiorari review of the 10th Circuit decision in the Supreme Court; cert was granted on November 26, 2013. The Supreme Court consolidated this case with Conestoga Wood Specialties v. Sebelius, a similar case from the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

On June 30, 2014, the Supreme Court affirmed. In 5-4 opinion by Justice Alito, the Court held that the HHS regulations imposing the contraceptive mandate violate RFRA, when applied to closely-held for-profit corporations. The Court emphasized, however, that alternative methods for meeting the government's asserted interest were available. To quote the syllabus (which summarizes the opinion), "the Government could, e.g., assume the cost of providing the four contraceptives to women unable to obtain coverage due to their employers' religious objections. Or it could extend the accommodation that HHS has already established for religious nonprofit organizations to non-profit employers with religious objections to the contraceptive mandate. That accommodation does not impinge on the plaintiffs' religious beliefs that providing insurance coverage for the contraceptives at issue here violates their religion and it still serves HHS's stated interests." In addition, the Court insisted that its opinion was narrow: "This decision concerns only the contraceptive mandate and should not be understood to hold that all insurance-coverage mandates, e.g., for vaccinations or blood transfusions, must necessarily fall if they conflict with an employer's religious beliefs. Nor does it provide a shield for employers who might cloak illegal discrimination as a religious practice." Justice Ginsburg wrote the dissent, joined by Justices Breyer, Sotomayor, and Kagan (although Breyer and Kagan did not sign on to a few pages of the dissent that argued that for-profit corporations lacked rights under RFRA; they said this issue need not yet be decided).

Please note that this case was previously titled Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores. Sylvia Burwell was automatically substituted as petitioner when she was approved by the U.S. Senate as the Secretary of Health and Human Services after being nominated by President Barack Obama to replace Kathleen Sebelius following Sebelius' resignation on Apr. 10, 2014.

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Summary Authors

Hannah Swanson (7/18/2013)

Tifani Sadek (11/28/2013)

Clearinghouse (6/30/2014)

Weingartz Supply Co. v. Sebelius, Eastern District of Michigan (2012)

Triune Health Group, Inc. v. U.S. Dep't of Health and Human Servs., Northern District of Illinois (2012)

Conestoga Wood Specialties Corp. v. Sebelius, Eastern District of Pennsylvania (2012)

Sioux Chief MFG. Co, Inc. v. Sebelius, Western District of Missouri (2013)

Hall v. Sebelius, District of Minnesota (2013)

Ozinga v. Sebelius, Northern District of Illinois (2013)

Beckwith v. Sebelius, Middle District of Florida (2013)

Eden Foods v. Sebelius, Eastern District of Michigan (2013)

Hartenbower v. United States Department of Health and Human Services, Northern District of Illinois (2013)

Holland v. Sebelius, Southern District of West Virginia (2013)

Ave Maria University v. Sebelius, Middle District of Florida (2013)

Midwest Fastener Corp. v. Sebelius, District of District of Columbia (2013)

Randy Reed Automotive v. Sebelius, Western District of Missouri (2013)

Doboszenski & Sons, Inc. v. Sebelius, District of Minnesota (2013)

Stinson Electric, Inc. v. Sebelius, District of Minnesota (2014)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5023638/parties/hobby-lobby-stores-inc-v-sebelius/

Judge(s)

Alito, Samuel A. Jr. (District of Columbia)

Bacharach, Robert Edwin (Oklahoma)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Baxter, Eric S. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Bennett, Michelle Renee (District of Columbia)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Amiri, Brigitte A. (New York)

Judge(s)

Alito, Samuel A. Jr. (District of Columbia)

Bacharach, Robert Edwin (Oklahoma)

Briscoe, Mary Beck (Kansas)

Ebel, David M. (Colorado)

Ginsburg, Ruth Bader (District of Columbia)

Gorsuch, Neil M. (Colorado)

Hartz, Harris L. (New Mexico)

Heaton, Joe L. (Oklahoma)

Kelly, Paul Joseph Jr. (New Mexico)

Lucero, Carlos F. (Colorado)

Matheson, Scott Milne Jr. (Utah)

Sotomayor, Sonia (District of Columbia)

Tymkovich, Timothy M. (Colorado)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Baxter, Eric S. (District of Columbia)

Duncan, Stuart K (Oklahoma)

Duncan, S. Kyle (District of Columbia)

Ensminger, Derek B (Oklahoma)

Geister, Charles E. III (Oklahoma)

Goodrich, Luke W. (District of Columbia)

Keim, Adele A. (District of Columbia)

Rienzi, Mark (District of Columbia)

Windham, Lori H. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Bennett, Michelle Renee (District of Columbia)

Coats, Sanford (District of Columbia)

Delery, Stuart F. (District of Columbia)

Gershengorn, Ian Heath (District of Columbia)

Klein, Alisa B. (District of Columbia)

Lieber, Sheila M. (District of Columbia)

Ricketts, Jennifer (District of Columbia)

Stern, Marc (District of Columbia)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Amiri, Brigitte A. (New York)

Blatt, Lisa Schiavo (District of Columbia)

Bordlee, Dorinda (Kentucky)

Clark, Stephan Robert (Missouri)

Colby, Kimberlee Wood (Virginia)

Connelly, Michael R. (Louisiana)

Davidow, Charles E. (District of Columbia)

Dewart, Deborah Jane (North Carolina)

Fitschen, Steven W. (Virginia)

Francisco, Noel (District of Columbia)

Gaylord, Scott W. (North Carolina)

Heil, CeCe (Virginia)

Henderson, Brady Ross (Oklahoma)

Khan, Ayesha N. (District of Columbia)

Kiesel, Ryan (Oklahoma)

Lester, Andrew W. (Oklahoma)

Lipper, Gregory M. (District of Columbia)

Mach, Daniel (District of Columbia)

Manion, Francis J (Kentucky)

Mylar, Frank D. (Utah)

Nikas, Nikolas T. (Arizona)

Pahmer, Michele L. (New York)

Perkins, Martha Jane (North Carolina)

Piller, B. Robert (New York)

Pruitt, E. Scott (Oklahoma)

Rogers, Charles Stephen (Oklahoma)

Roth, Stuart J. (District of Columbia)

Sauer, Dean John (District of Columbia)

Schneider, Bruce Harvey (New York)

Sekulow, Jay Alan (District of Columbia)

Short, Catherine Wynne (California)

Smith, Mailee Rebecca (District of Columbia)

Thompson, Angela Christine (California)

Vaughn, Carrie L. (Oklahoma)

White, Edward L. III (Michigan)

Wyrick, Patrick Robert (Oklahoma)

Zimmerman, Erik M. (Kentucky)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
5:12-cv-01000	Docket [PACER]	May 27, 2015	May 27, 2015 Docket
1 5:12-cv-01000	Verified Complaint	Sept. 12, 2012	Sept. 12, 2012 Complaint
6 5:12-cv-01000	Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Opening Brief in Support	Sept. 12, 2012	Sept. 12, 2012 Pleading / Motion / Brief
36 5:12-cv-01000	Order [Denying Members of Congress Leave to File Amicus Brief]	Oct. 15, 2012	Oct. 15, 2012 Order/Opinion
46 5:12-cv-01000	Plaintiffs' Notice of Appeal	Nov. 19, 2012	Nov. 19, 2012 Notice Letter
45 5:12-cv-01000	Order [Denying Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction]	Nov. 19, 2012	Nov. 19, 2012 Order/Opinion 870 F.Supp.2d 870
54 5:12-cv-01000	Joint Motion to Stay District Court Proceedings Pending Appeal	Dec. 10, 2012	Dec. 10, 2012 Pleading / Motion / Brief
55 5:12-cv-01000	Order [Granting Joint Motion to Stay Pending Appeal]	Dec. 12, 2012	Dec. 12, 2012 Order/Opinion
56 5:12-cv-01000 0:12-06294	Order [Denying Motion for Injunction Pending Appeal] U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit	Dec. 20, 2012	Dec. 20, 2012 Order/Opinion 2012 WL 2012
0:12-00644	Order Denying Injunction Pending Appellate Review Supreme Court of the United States	Dec. 26, 2012	Dec. 26, 2012 Order/Opinion 133 S.Ct. 133

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Resources

Title	Description		External URL Date / External URL
Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. Americans United for Separation of Church and State	As part of the Affordable Care Act's implementing regulations, group health plans are required to include coverage for various forms of preventative care, including all FDA-approved methods of contra…	July 7, 2017	July 7, 2017 https://www.au.org/...
Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores	The Green family owns and operates Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., a national arts and crafts chain with over 500 stores and over 13,000 employees. The Green family has organized the business around the pr…	June 30, 2014	June 30, 2014 https://www.oyez.org/...

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5023638/hobby-lobby-stores-inc-v-sebelius/

Last updated May 4, 2024, 3:10 a.m.

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ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT against All Defendants filed by Steve Green, David Green, Darsee Lett, Mardel Inc, Barbara Green, Hobby Lobby Stores Inc, Mart Green. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(pw) (Entered: 09/12/2012) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER	Sept. 12, 2012	Sept. 12, 2012 PACER
2	Summons Issued Electronically as to Timothy F Geithner, Kathleen Sebelius, Hilda Solis, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor, United States Department of the Treasury. (pw) (Entered: 09/12/2012)	Sept. 12, 2012	Sept. 12, 2012 PACER
3	ENTRY of Appearance by Charles E Geister, III on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Geister, Charles) (Entered: 09/12/2012)	Sept. 12, 2012	Sept. 12, 2012 PACER
4	ENTRY of Appearance by Derek B Ensminger on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Ensminger, Derek) (Entered: 09/12/2012)	Sept. 12, 2012	Sept. 12, 2012 PACER
5	NOTICE OF RELATED OR COMPANION CASE by All Plaintiffs (Geister, Charles) (Entered: 09/12/2012)	Sept. 12, 2012	Sept. 12, 2012 PACER
6	MOTION for Preliminary Injunction and Opening Brief in Support by All Plaintiffs. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - Order [Dkt#30] USDC Colorado)(Geister, Charles) (Entered: 09/12/2012) 1 Exhibit 1 - Order [Dkt#30] USDC Colorado View on PACER	Sept. 12, 2012	Sept. 12, 2012 PACER
7	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Eric S. Baxter by All Plaintiffs. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - Request for Admission)(Geister, Charles) (Entered: 09/12/2012) 1 Exhibit 1 - Request for Admission View on PACER	Sept. 12, 2012	Sept. 12, 2012 PACER
8	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Lori H. Windham by All Plaintiffs. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - Request for Admission)(Geister, Charles) (Entered: 09/12/2012) 1 Exhibit 1 - Request for Admission View on PACER	Sept. 12, 2012	Sept. 12, 2012 PACER
9	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice of S. Kyle Duncan by All Plaintiffs. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - Request for Admission)(Geister, Charles) (Entered: 09/12/2012) 1 Exhibit 1 - Request for Admission View on PACER	Sept. 12, 2012	Sept. 12, 2012 PACER
10	ORDER granting 7 Eric S. Baxter, Esq.'s motion for leave to appear pro hac vice as counsel for plaintiffs. Signed by Honorable Joe Heaton on 09/12/2012. (lam) (Entered: 09/12/2012)	Sept. 12, 2012	Sept. 12, 2012 PACER
11	ORDER granting 8 Lori H. Windham, Esq.'s motion for leave to appear pro hac vice as counsel for plaintiffs. Signed by Honorable Joe Heaton on 09/12/2012. (lam) (Entered: 09/12/2012)	Sept. 12, 2012	Sept. 12, 2012 PACER
12	ORDER granting 9 S. Kyle Duncan, Esq.'s motion for leave to appear pro hac vice as counsel for plaintiffs. Signed by Honorable Joe Heaton on 09/12/2012. (lam) (Entered: 09/12/2012)	Sept. 12, 2012	Sept. 12, 2012 PACER
13	Receipt for Money Received from Hartzog Conger Cason Neville on behalf of All Plaintiffs in the amount of $350.00, receipt number OKW500027306 regarding 1 Complaint. (cpp) (Entered: 09/12/2012)	Sept. 12, 2012	Sept. 12, 2012 PACER
14	Receipt for Money Received from All Plaintiffs in the amount of $150.00, receipt number OKW500027311 regarding 12 Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice, 11 Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice, 10 Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice (kr) (Entered: 09/12/2012)	Sept. 12, 2012	Sept. 12, 2012 PACER
15	ENTRY of Appearance by Stuart K Duncan on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Duncan, Stuart) (Entered: 09/14/2012)	Sept. 14, 2012	Sept. 14, 2012 PACER
16	ENTRY of Appearance by Lori H Windham on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Windham, Lori) (Entered: 09/14/2012)	Sept. 14, 2012	Sept. 14, 2012 PACER
17	ENTRY of Appearance by Eric S Baxter on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Baxter, Eric) (Entered: 09/14/2012)	Sept. 14, 2012	Sept. 14, 2012 PACER
18	MOTION to Expedite by All Plaintiffs. (Baxter, Eric) (Entered: 09/28/2012)	Sept. 28, 2012	Sept. 28, 2012 PACER
19	SUMMONS RETURNED EXECUTED by All Plaintiffs. Kathleen Sebelius served on 10/1/2012. (Baxter, Eric) (Entered: 10/03/2012)	Oct. 3, 2012	Oct. 3, 2012 PACER
20	SUMMONS RETURNED EXECUTED by All Plaintiffs. United States Department of Health and Human Services served on 10/1/2012. (Baxter, Eric) (Entered: 10/03/2012)	Oct. 3, 2012	Oct. 3, 2012 PACER
21	SUMMONS RETURNED EXECUTED by All Plaintiffs. Hilda Solis served on 10/1/2012. (Baxter, Eric) (Entered: 10/03/2012)	Oct. 3, 2012	Oct. 3, 2012 PACER
22	SUMMONS RETURNED EXECUTED by All Plaintiffs. United States Department of Labor served on 10/1/2012. (Baxter, Eric) (Entered: 10/03/2012)	Oct. 3, 2012	Oct. 3, 2012 PACER
23	SUMMONS RETURNED EXECUTED by All Plaintiffs. Timothy F Geithner served on 10/2/2012. (Baxter, Eric) (Entered: 10/03/2012)	Oct. 3, 2012	Oct. 3, 2012 PACER
24	SUMMONS RETURNED EXECUTED by All Plaintiffs. United States Department of the Treasury served on 10/2/2012. (Baxter, Eric) (Entered: 10/03/2012)	Oct. 3, 2012	Oct. 3, 2012 PACER
25	SUMMONS RETURNED EXECUTED as to Non-Party for summonses and complaint served on Eric Holder, U.S. Attorney General on 10/01/2012, filed by Plaintiffs Barbara Green, David Green, Mart Green, Steve Green, Hobby Lobby Stores Inc, Darsee Lett, Mardel Inc. (Baxter, Eric) (Entered: 10/03/2012)	Oct. 3, 2012	Oct. 3, 2012 PACER
26	SUMMONS RETURNED EXECUTED as to Non-Party for summonses and complaint served on Sanford Coats, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma on 10/03/2012, filed by Plaintiffs Barbara Green, David Green, Mart Green, Steve Green, Hobby Lobby Stores Inc, Darsee Lett, Mardel Inc. (Baxter, Eric) (Entered: 10/03/2012)	Oct. 3, 2012	Oct. 3, 2012 PACER
27	RESPONSE to Motion re 18 MOTION to Expedite filed by All Defendants. (Bennett, Michelle) (Entered: 10/04/2012)	Oct. 4, 2012	Oct. 4, 2012 PACER
28	ENTRY of Appearance by Michelle R Bennett on behalf of All Defendants (Bennett, Michelle) (Entered: 10/04/2012)	Oct. 4, 2012	Oct. 4, 2012 PACER
29	ENTER ORDER...setting plaintiffs' motion 6 for preliminary injunction for hearing on 10/24/2012 @ 10:00 a.m., in Courtroom No. 304 before Honorable Joe Heaton; Defendants' response to plaintiffs' motion 6 is due for filing on 10/22/2012. Signed by Honorable Joe Heaton on 10/04/2012. (lam) (Entered: 10/04/2012)	Oct. 4, 2012	Oct. 4, 2012 PACER
30	UNOPPOSED MOTION to Continue hearing on motion for preliminary injunction by All Defendants. (Bennett, Michelle) (Entered: 10/09/2012)	Oct. 9, 2012	Oct. 9, 2012 PACER
31	ORDER granting 30 the government's unopposed motion for continuance...the hearing on plaintiffs' motion for preliminary injunction 6 is CONTINUED to 10/30/2012 @ 9:00 a.m., in Courtroom No. 304. Signed by Honorable Joe Heaton on 10/10/2012. (lam) (Entered: 10/10/2012)	Oct. 10, 2012	Oct. 10, 2012 PACER
32	CORRECTED ORDER continuing hearing on plaintiffs' motion 6 for preliminary injunction to: 11/1/2012 @ 09:00 AM in Courtroom 304 before Honorable Joe Heaton. Signed by Honorable Joe Heaton on 10/10/2012. (lam) (Entered: 10/10/2012)	Oct. 10, 2012	Oct. 10, 2012 PACER
33	AMICUS CURIAE APPEARANCE entered by Andrew W Lester on behalf of Orrin G Hatch, Daniel R Coats, Thad Cochran, Mike Crapo, Charles Grassley, James M Inhofe, Mitch McConnell, Pat Roberts, Richard Shelby, Wally Herger, Dan Burton, Donald Manzullo, John Mica, Lamar Smith. (Lester, Andrew) (Entered: 10/11/2012)	Oct. 11, 2012	Oct. 11, 2012 PACER
34	UNOPPOSED MOTION to File Amicus Brief by Dan Burton, Daniel R Coats, Thad Cochran, Mike Crapo, Charles Grassley, Orrin G Hatch, Wally Herger, James M Inhofe, Donald Manzullo, Mitch McConnell, John Mica, Pat Roberts, Richard Shelby, Lamar Smith. (Lester, Andrew) (Entered: 10/11/2012)	Oct. 11, 2012	Oct. 11, 2012 PACER
35	ENTRY of Appearance by Carrie L Vaughn on behalf of Dan Burton, Daniel R Coats, Thad Cochran, Mike Crapo, Charles Grassley, Orrin G Hatch, Wally Herger, James M Inhofe, Donald Manzullo, Mitch McConnell, John Mica, Pat Roberts, Richard Shelby, Lamar Smith (Vaughn, Carrie) (Entered: 10/11/2012)	Oct. 11, 2012	Oct. 11, 2012 PACER
36	ORDER denying 34 various currently serving Members of Congress' motion for leave to file an amicus brief...see order for specifics. Signed by Honorable Joe Heaton on 10/15/2012. (lam) (Entered: 10/15/2012)	Oct. 15, 2012	Oct. 15, 2012 PACER
37	MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages by All Defendants. (Bennett, Michelle) (Entered: 10/16/2012)	Oct. 16, 2012	Oct. 16, 2012 PACER
38	MEMORANDUM in Opposition re 37 MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages filed by All Plaintiffs. (Baxter, Eric) (Entered: 10/17/2012)	Oct. 17, 2012	Oct. 17, 2012 PACER
39	REPLY to Response to Motion re 37 MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages filed by All Defendants. (Bennett, Michelle) (Entered: 10/17/2012)	Oct. 17, 2012	Oct. 17, 2012 PACER
40	ORDER granting 37 defendants' motion for leave to file response brief not exceeding 40 pages; and granting plaintiffs' request for additional pages and their reply brief may be up to 25 pages in length. Signed by Honorable Joe Heaton on 10/17/2012. (lam) (Entered: 10/17/2012)	Oct. 17, 2012	Oct. 17, 2012 PACER
41	RESPONSE in Opposition re 6 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction and Opening Brief in Support filed by All Defendants. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2)(Bennett, Michelle) (Entered: 10/22/2012) 1 Exhibit 1 View on PACER 2 Exhibit 2 View on PACER	Oct. 22, 2012	Oct. 22, 2012 PACER
42	REPLY by Plaintiffs Barbara Green, David Green, Mart Green, Steve Green, Hobby Lobby Stores Inc, Darsee Lett, Mardel Inc re 41 Response in Opposition to Motion filed by All Plaintiffs. (Duncan, Stuart) (Entered: 10/29/2012)	Oct. 29, 2012	Oct. 29, 2012 PACER
43	Minute Entry for proceedings held before Honorable Joe Heaton...hearing held on plaintiffs' motion for preliminary injunction 6 ; arguments from counsel heard; court to enter written order. (Court Reporter Jeanne Ring) (lam) (Entered: 11/01/2012)	Nov. 1, 2012	Nov. 1, 2012 PACER
44	NOTICE (other) by All Plaintiffs re 6 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction and Opening Brief in Support (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Baxter, Eric) (Entered: 11/17/2012) 1 Exhibit A View on PACER	Nov. 17, 2012	Nov. 17, 2012 PACER
45	ORDER denying 6 plaintiffs' motion for preliminary injunction...see order for specifics. Signed by Honorable Joe Heaton on 11/19/2012. (lam) (Entered: 11/19/2012)	Nov. 19, 2012	Nov. 19, 2012 RECAP
46	NOTICE OF APPEAL as to 45 Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction by All Plaintiffs. Filing fee $ 455. (Duncan, Stuart) (Entered: 11/19/2012)	Nov. 19, 2012	Nov. 19, 2012 PACER
47	PRELIMINARY RECORD LETTER - Electronic Transmission of Notice of Appeal with Preliminary Record sent to Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals re 46 Notice of Appeal (pw) (Entered: 11/20/2012)	Nov. 19, 2012	Nov. 19, 2012 PACER
48	USCA Appeal Fee received in the amount of $ 455, receipt number OKW500028848, re 46 Notice of Appeal filed by Mart Green, Hobby Lobby Stores Inc, Steve Green, Barbara Green, Mardel Inc, David Green, Darsee Lett (pw) (Entered: 11/20/2012)	Nov. 20, 2012	Nov. 20, 2012 PACER
49	Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals USCA Case Number 12-6294 for 46 Notice of Appeal filed by Mart Green, Hobby Lobby Stores Inc, Steve Green, Barbara Green, Mardel Inc, David Green, Darsee Lett. (pw) (Entered: 11/20/2012)	Nov. 20, 2012	Nov. 20, 2012 PACER
50	TRANSCRIPT REQUEST by All Plaintiffs for proceedings held on 11/01/2012 before Judge Joe Heaton.. (Duncan, Stuart) (Entered: 11/28/2012)	Nov. 28, 2012	Nov. 28, 2012 PACER
51	UNOPPOSED MOTION for Extension of Time to Respond to Complaint by All Defendants. (Bennett, Michelle) (Entered: 11/30/2012)	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2012 PACER
52	TRANSCRIPT Order Form re 46 Notice of Appeal that transcripts are necessary. See order form for dates and proceedings. Estimated completion date December 27, 2012. (jr, ) (Entered: 12/03/2012)	Dec. 3, 2012	Dec. 3, 2012 PACER
53	ORDER granting 51 defendants' unopposed motion for extension of time...defendants shall file their answer or other responsive pleading to plaintiffs complaint not later than 12/13/2012. Signed by Honorable Joe Heaton on 12/03/2012. (lam) (Entered: 12/03/2012)	Dec. 3, 2012	Dec. 3, 2012 PACER
54	JOINT MOTION to Stay Case Pending Appeal by All Defendants. (Bennett, Michelle) (Entered: 12/10/2012)	Dec. 10, 2012	Dec. 10, 2012 PACER
55	ORDER granting 54 the parties' motion motion to stay...further proceedings in this case are stayed pending resolution of plaintiff's appeal to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals or further order of the court. Signed by Honorable Joe Heaton on 12/12/2012. (lam) (Entered: 12/12/2012)	Dec. 12, 2012	Dec. 12, 2012 PACER
56	ORDER of USCA - The motion for an injunction pending appeal is denied as to 46 Notice of Appeal filed by Mart Green, Hobby Lobby Stores Inc, Steve Green, Barbara Green, Mardel Inc, David Green, Darsee Lett (pw) (Entered: 12/20/2012)	Dec. 20, 2012	Dec. 20, 2012 PACER
57	NOTICE OF FILING OF OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT before Judge Joe Heaton, re 46 Notice of Appeal Court Reporter B. Jeanne Ring, RDR, Telephone number 405 820-2067. Transcript of: Motion for Preliminary Injunction Volume: I of I Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter/Transcriber before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained through PACER. Redaction Request due 1/22/2013. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 1/31/2013. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 4/1/2013. (jr, ) (Entered: 12/31/2012)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012 PACER
58	TRANSCRIPT LETTER advising transcripts have been electronically filed. re 46 Notice of Appeal filed by Mart Green, Hobby Lobby Stores Inc, Steve Green, Barbara Green, Mardel Inc, David Green, Darsee Lett. The record is ready for appeal purposes. (kw, ) (Entered: 01/02/2013)	Jan. 2, 2013	Jan. 2, 2013 PACER
59	CIVIL STATUS CONFERENCE DOCKET: Scheduling Conference set for 2/5/2013 @ 09:30 AM in Chambers before Honorable Joe Heaton. Status Report due by 1/28/2013. (lam) (Entered: 01/03/2013)	Jan. 3, 2013	Jan. 3, 2013 PACER
60	ENTER ORDER the civil status conference 59 set before the court on 02/05/2013 is STRICKEN. Signed by Honorable Joe Heaton on 01/04/2013. (lam) (Entered: 01/04/2013)	Jan. 4, 2013	Jan. 4, 2013 PACER
61	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Adele Auxier Keim by All Plaintiffs. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - Request for Admission)(Geister, Charles) (Entered: 01/08/2013) 1 Exhibit 1 - Request for Admission View on PACER	Jan. 8, 2013	Jan. 8, 2013 PACER
62	Receipt for Money Received from All Plaintiffs in the amount of $50.00, receipt number OKW500029811 regarding 61 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Adele Auxier Keim (pw) (Entered: 01/08/2013)	Jan. 8, 2013	Jan. 8, 2013 PACER
63	ORDER granting 61 Adele Auxier Keim, Esq., leave to appear pro hac vice as counsel for plaintiffs. Signed by Honorable Joe Heaton on 01/10/2013. (lam) (Entered: 01/10/2013)	Jan. 10, 2013	Jan. 10, 2013 PACER
64	ENTRY of Appearance by Adele A Keim on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Keim, Adele) (Entered: 01/10/2013)	Jan. 10, 2013	Jan. 10, 2013 PACER
65	USCA OPINION Reversed and Remanded to District Court of Western District of Oklahoma as to 46 Notice of Appeal filed by Mart Green, Hobby Lobby Stores Inc, Steve Green, Barbara Green, Mardel Inc, David Green, Darsee Lett (Attachments: # 1 Attachment Letter from Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals)(pw) (Entered: 06/27/2013) 1 Attachment Letter from Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals View on PACER	June 27, 2013	June 27, 2013 PACER
66	USCA JUDGMENT Reserved and Remanded to US District Court of Western District of Oklahoma as to 46 Notice of Appeal filed by Mart Green, Hobby Lobby Stores Inc, Steve Green, Barbara Green, Mardel Inc, David Green, Darsee Lett (pw) (Entered: 06/27/2013)	June 27, 2013	June 27, 2013 PACER
67	MANDATE ISSUED From USCA 46 Notice of Appeal filed by Mart Green, Hobby Lobby Stores Inc, Steve Green, Barbara Green, Mardel Inc, David Green, Darsee Lett (pw) (Entered: 06/27/2013)	June 27, 2013	June 27, 2013 PACER
68	EMERGENCY MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by All Plaintiffs. (Duncan, Stuart) (Entered: 06/27/2013)	June 27, 2013	June 27, 2013 PACER
69	ORDER granting 68 plaintiffs' emergency motion for temporary restraining order pending hearing on plaintiffs' motion for preliminary injunction; party seeking leave to offer additional evidence shall do so by motion and brief by 07/03/2013...any response to such motion shall be filed by 07/10/2013; hearing on plaintiffs' for preliminary injunction is set 07/19/2013 at 9:00 a.m., in Courtroom No. 304 before the Honorable Joe Heaton. Signed by Honorable Joe Heaton on 06/28/2013. (lam) (Entered: 06/28/2013)	June 28, 2013	June 28, 2013 PACER
	Set/Reset Hearings: hearing on plaintiffs' motion 68 for preliminary injunction set: 07/19/2013 @ 09:00 AM in Courtroom 304 Honorable Joe Heaton per order 69 . (lam)	June 28, 2013	June 28, 2013 PACER
70	MOTION for Order to file a Brief in support of Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction by Amicus Curiae Eric Rasmusen. (pw) (Entered: 07/08/2013)	July 8, 2013	July 8, 2013 PACER
71	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Mark L. Rienzi by All Plaintiffs. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - Request for Admission)(Geister, Charles) (Entered: 07/10/2013) 1 Exhibit 1 - Request for Admission View on PACER	July 10, 2013	July 10, 2013 PACER
72	ORDER granting 71 Mark L. Rienzi, Esq., leave to appear pro hac vice for plaintiffs. Signed by Honorable Joe Heaton on 07/10/2013. (lam) (Entered: 07/10/2013)	July 10, 2013	July 10, 2013 PACER
74	Receipt for Money Received from All Plaintiffs in the amount of $50.00, receipt number OKW500033682 regarding 71 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Mark L. Rienzi (pw) (Entered: 07/11/2013)	July 10, 2013	July 10, 2013 PACER
73	ENTRY of Appearance by Mark L Rienzi on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Rienzi, Mark) (Entered: 07/11/2013)	July 11, 2013	July 11, 2013 PACER
75	Minute Entry for proceedings held before the Honorable Joe Heaton...hearing held on plaintiffs' emergency motion 68 for preliminary injunction; counsel for the parties present; court hears oral argument; plaintiffs' motion 68 is granted and this proceeding is STAYED until 10/01/2013; written order to follow. (Court Reporter Jeanne Ring) (lam) (Entered: 07/19/2013)	July 19, 2013	July 19, 2013 PACER
76	ORDER granting 68 plaintiffs' motion for issuance of a preliminary injunction...defendants, their agents, officers and employees are enjoined and restrained from any effort to apply or enforce as to plaintiffs, the substantive requirements imposed in 42:300gg-12(a)(4) and at issue in this case, or the penalties related thereto until further order of the court; as agreed by the parties further proceedings in this case are stayed until 10/01/2013...see order for further specifics. Signed by Honorable Joe Heaton on 07/19/2013. (lam) (Entered: 07/19/2013)	July 19, 2013	July 19, 2013 PACER
77	NOTICE OF FILING OF OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT of Proceedings held on July 19, 2013 before Judge Joe Heaton. Court Reporter: B. Jeanne Ring, RDR, Telephone number 405 820-2067. Transcript of: Motion for Preliminary Injunction Volume: I of I Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter/Transcriber before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained through PACER. Redaction Request due 8/14/2013. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 8/26/2013. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 10/22/2013. (jr, ) (Entered: 07/24/2013)	July 24, 2013	July 24, 2013 PACER
78	ENTER ORDER...in light of the order previously entered by the court the motion of Eric Rasmussen for leave to file an amicus brief in support of plaintiffs' preliminary injuction 70 is stricken as moot. Signed by Honorable Joe Heaton on 08/19/2013. (lam) (Entered: 08/19/2013)	Aug. 19, 2013	Aug. 19, 2013 PACER
79	NOTICE OF APPEAL as to 76 Order on Motion for Order,, by All Defendants. (Bennett, Michelle) (Entered: 09/17/2013)	Sept. 17, 2013	Sept. 17, 2013 PACER
80	PRELIMINARY RECORD LETTER - Electronic Transmission of Notice of Appeal with Preliminary Record sent to Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals re 79 Notice of Appeal, 76 Order on Motion for Order. (pw) (Entered: 09/18/2013)	Sept. 18, 2013	Sept. 18, 2013 PACER
81	Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals USCA Case Number 13-6215 for 79 Notice of Appeal filed by United States Department of the Treasury, Timothy F Geithner, Hilda Solis, Kathleen Sebelius, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor. (pw) (Entered: 09/18/2013)	Sept. 18, 2013	Sept. 18, 2013 PACER
82	PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI re Supreme Court Number:13-354 (pw) (Entered: 09/20/2013)	Sept. 20, 2013	Sept. 20, 2013 PACER
83	JOINT MOTION to Stay Case by All Defendants. (Bennett, Michelle) (Entered: 09/23/2013)	Sept. 23, 2013	Sept. 23, 2013 PACER
84	ORDER granting 83 the parties' joint motion to extend the stay previously entered based on the government's filing of a petition for writ of certiorari that seeks Supreme Court review of the 10th Circuit's 06/27/2013 en bac decision...this case is STAYED pending the Supreme Court's disposition of the government's petition. Signed by Honorable Joe Heaton on 09/24/2013. (lam) (Entered: 09/24/2013)	Sept. 24, 2013	Sept. 24, 2013 PACER
85	ORDER of USCA granting Unopposed Motion to Hold Apeal in Abeyance. See order for specifics. (pw) (Entered: 09/26/2013)	Sept. 26, 2013	Sept. 26, 2013 PACER
86	ORDER of USCA as to 79 Notice of Appeal - Order filed by Clerk of the Court (DEC) continuing abatement. Status report(s) due 05/12/2014 by Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., et al. and Kathleen Sebelius, et al. However, if there are any developments in the Supreme Court that would affect the need for continued abatement of this case, the parties are under an obligation to advise the court as soon as reasonably possible. (kw, ) (Entered: 11/27/2013)	Nov. 26, 2013	Nov. 26, 2013 PACER
87	USCA LETTER response to request for a certiorari record re 79 Notice of Appeal (pw) (Entered: 01/14/2014)	Jan. 10, 2014	Jan. 10, 2014 PACER
88	ORDER of USCA continuing abatement. Status report due 7/14/14 as to 79 Notice of Appeal filed by United States Department of the Treasury, Timothy F Geithner, Hilda Solis, Kathleen Sebelius, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor (pw) (Entered: 05/14/2014)	May 14, 2014	May 14, 2014 PACER
89	Opinion Letter re Supreme Court Number:13-354 (pw) (Entered: 07/01/2014)	June 30, 2014	June 30, 2014 PACER
90	ORDER of USCA dismissing case as to 79 Notice of Appeal filed by United States Department of the Treasury, Timothy F Geithner, Hilda Solis, Kathleen Sebelius, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor (pw) (Entered: 09/05/2014)	Sept. 4, 2014	Sept. 4, 2014 PACER
91	USCA MANDATE Issued dismissing case re 79 Notice of Appeal filed by United States Department of the Treasury, Timothy F Geithner, Hilda Solis, Kathleen Sebelius, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor (pw) (Entered: 09/05/2014)	Sept. 4, 2014	Sept. 4, 2014 PACER
92	CIVIL STATUS CONFERENCE DOCKET: Scheduling Conference set for 10/7/2014 @ 11:20 AM in Chambers before Honorable Joe Heaton. Status Report due by 9/29/2014. (lam) (Entered: 09/09/2014)	Sept. 9, 2014	Sept. 9, 2014 PACER
93	JOINT MOTION to Strike 92 Docket Status Hearing by All Plaintiffs. (Rienzi, Mark) (Entered: 09/26/2014)	Sept. 26, 2014	Sept. 26, 2014 PACER
94	ORDER granting 93 the parties' joint motion for order striking status conference...the 10/07/2014 conference is stricken as is the required joint status report; the parties are directed to file by 10/17/2014 a joint proposed injunction and judgment or if agreement as to disposition of the case cannot be reached, their joint proposal for further proceedings in the case. Signed by Honorable Joe Heaton on 09/29/2014. (lam) (Entered: 09/29/2014)	Sept. 29, 2014	Sept. 29, 2014 PACER
	Per order 94 the 10/07/2014 civil status conference is stricken. (lam)	Sept. 29, 2014	Sept. 29, 2014 PACER
95	STATUS REPORT (Jointly filed) by Defendants Timothy F Geithner, Kathleen Sebelius, Hilda Solis, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor, United States Department of the Treasury. (Bennett, Michelle) (Entered: 10/17/2014)	Oct. 17, 2014	Oct. 17, 2014 PACER
96	ORDER directing parties to file by 10/24/2014 a further joint status report setting out their respective positions as to the judgment to be entered. Signed by Honorable Joe Heaton on 10/20/2014. (lam) (Entered: 10/20/2014)	Oct. 20, 2014	Oct. 20, 2014 PACER
97	STATUS REPORT (Jointly filed) by Defendants Timothy F Geithner, Kathleen Sebelius, Hilda Solis, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor, United States Department of the Treasury. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D)(Bennett, Michelle) (Entered: 10/24/2014) 1 Exhibit A View on PACER 2 Exhibit B View on PACER 3 Exhibit C View on PACER 4 Exhibit D View on PACER	Oct. 24, 2014	Oct. 24, 2014 PACER
98	ORDER accordingly in light of the Supreme Court's decision in Burwell and the parties further submissions it is ordered that judgment will be entered in favor of Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., and Mardel, Inc., and against defendants on the corporate plaintiffs' claims under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act...defendants, their employees, agents, and successors in office are permanently enjoined from enforcing against plaintiffs their employee health plain, group health coverage and/or plaintiffs' health insurance issuers and third-party administrators; all plaintiffs' remaining claims are dismissed without prejudice; as the prevailing parties are entitled to recover costs the parties are directed to confer to reach an agreement on attorney's fees and costs; if the parties are unable to reach an agreement plaintiffs may file a motion for attorney's fees and a bill of costs within 60 days of the entry of judgment...see order for specifics. Signed by Honorable Joe Heaton on 11/19/2014. (lam) (Main Document 98 replaced on 11/20/2014) (lam). (Entered: 11/19/2014)	Nov. 19, 2014	Nov. 19, 2014 RECAP

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Case Details

State / Territory: Oklahoma

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

Special Collection(s):

Contraception Insurance Mandate

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 12, 2012

Closing Date: June 30, 2014

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Plaintiffs are a family of evangelical Christians who own and operate Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., a retail business headquartered in Oklahoma City. Plaintiffs also own and operate Mardel, Inc., a bookstore and education company headquartered in Hobby Lobby's Oklahoma City complex. Due to their religious beliefs, Plaintiffs oppose the use of contraception.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Closely-held (for profit) corporation

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (Washington), Federal

U.S. Dept. of Labor (Washington), Federal

U.S. Dept. of the Treasury (Washington), Federal

Defendant Type(s):