Case: The New York Times Co. v. U.S. Department of Justice

1:12-cv-03215 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

Filed Date: April 24, 2012

Closed Date: 2013

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On April 24, 2012, The New York Times and one of the newspaper’s reporters filed this lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”).The plaintiffs sought to compel the Department of Justice to provide two specific documents cited in a memorandum from the Office of Legal Counsel regarding appointments during Senate recess periods. The two documents were: (1) Memorandum f…

On April 24, 2012, The New York Times and one of the newspaper’s reporters filed this lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”).

The plaintiffs sought to compel the Department of Justice to provide two specific documents cited in a memorandum from the Office of Legal Counsel regarding appointments during Senate recess periods. The two documents were: (1) Memorandum for Alberto R. Gonzales, Counsel to the President, from Jack L. Goldsmith III, Assistant Attorney General, Office for Legal Counsel, Re: Recess Appointments in the Current Recess of the Senate, and (2) Memorandum to File from John P. Elwood, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Counsel, Re: Lawfulness of Making Recess Appointment During Adjournment of the Senate Notwithstanding Periodic “Pro Forma Sessions.”

On June 14, 2012, the government moved for summary judgment, and the plaintiffs then filed a cross-motion for summary judgment. On January 7, 2013, U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff concluded that these documents were protected by deliberative process privilege. Therefore, the court granted the government's motion for summary judgment.

As of January 13, 2013, this case is closed.

Summary Authors

Carolina Velarde (10/26/2016)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/12960875/parties/the-new-york-times-company-v-united-states-department-of-justice/


Judge(s)

Rakoff, Jed Saul (New York)

Attorney for Plaintiff

McCraw, David E (New York)

Attorney for Defendant

La Morte, Tara Marie (New York)

Morte, Tara Marie (New York)

Normand, Sarah Sheive (New York)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

1:12-cv-03215

Docket

The New York Times Company v. United States Department of Justice

Jan. 24, 2013

Jan. 24, 2013

Docket
1

1:12-cv-03215

Complaint

The New York Times Co. v. Department of Justice

April 24, 2012

April 24, 2012

Complaint
13

1:12-cv-03215

Memorandum Order

The New York Times Company and Charles Savage v. United States Department of Justice

Jan. 7, 2013

Jan. 7, 2013

Order/Opinion

2013 WL 174222

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/12960875/the-new-york-times-company-v-united-states-department-of-justice/

Last updated Dec. 17, 2024, 8:47 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: New York

Case Type(s):

National Security

Key Dates

Filing Date: April 24, 2012

Closing Date: 2013

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The New York Times and a New York Times reporter

Plaintiff Type(s):

Public (for-profit) corporation

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

United States Department of Justice (Washington), Federal

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), 5 U.S.C. § 552

Available Documents:

Non-settlement Outcome

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

General/Misc.:

Courts

Records Disclosure