Case: Center for Reproductive Rights v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

1:19-cv-03068 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: Oct. 15, 2019

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

The Center for Reproductive Rights, represented by private counsel, filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on October 15, 2019. The litigation sought declaratory and injunctive relief to compel compliance with two Freedom of Information Act requests filed for documents relating to budget and staffing for the Conscience and Religious Freedom Division in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights. The case was originally assigned to Judge Randolph D. Moss; it was reassigned to Judge Florence Y. Pan on October 1, 2021.

 On December 31, 2020, the parties informed the court they had reached an agreement for HHS to review and produce documents. HHS agreed to review 500 pages of documents per month. The case is ongoing, and the parties are filing status reports to the court every two months. The most recent was filed on February 28, 2022.

Summary Authors

Ben Marvin-Vanderryn (3/10/2022)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/16331918/parties/center-for-reproductive-rights-v-us-department-of-health-and-human/


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Buttrick, Alice (District of Columbia)

Fisher, David O. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Braswell, Marina Utgoff (District of Columbia)

Curteman, Dedra Seibel (District of Columbia)

Horowitz, Brenda A. (District of Columbia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:19-cv-03068

Complaint

The Center for Reproductive Rights v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Oct. 15, 2019

Oct. 15, 2019

Complaint

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/16331918/center-for-reproductive-rights-v-us-department-of-health-and-human/

Last updated April 14, 2025, 12:40 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number ADCDC-6447433) filed by CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Civil Cover Sheet, # 6 Summons)(Kotagal, Kalpana) (Entered: 10/15/2019)

Oct. 15, 2019

Oct. 15, 2019

PACER

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Oct. 17, 2019

Oct. 17, 2019

PACER

Case assigned to Judge Randolph D. Moss. (zmc)

Oct. 17, 2019

Oct. 17, 2019

PACER
2

SUMMONS (1) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zmc) (Entered: 10/17/2019)

Oct. 17, 2019

Oct. 17, 2019

PACER
3

LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS (Kotagal, Kalpana) (Entered: 10/18/2019)

Oct. 18, 2019

Oct. 18, 2019

PACER
4

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Alice Buttrick, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-6560162. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Alice Buttrick, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Kotagal, Kalpana) (Entered: 11/13/2019)

Nov. 13, 2019

Nov. 13, 2019

PACER

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

Nov. 14, 2019

Nov. 14, 2019

PACER

MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of Plaintiff's Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice 4, it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED. Alice Buttrick is hereby granted leave to appear pro hac vice in this case. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCrR 44.5(a). Click for Instructions. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 11/14/19. (lcrdm3, )

Nov. 14, 2019

Nov. 14, 2019

PACER
5

ENTERED IN ERROR. . . . .NOTICE of Appearance by Kalpana Kotagal on behalf of CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS (Kotagal, Kalpana) Modified on 11/19/2019 (ztd). (Entered: 11/15/2019)

Nov. 15, 2019

Nov. 15, 2019

RECAP
6

ENTERED IN ERROR. . . . .NOTICE of Filing Proof of Service by CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS (Attachments: # 1 Declaration Declaration of Service)(Kotagal, Kalpana) Modified on 11/19/2019 (ztd). (Entered: 11/15/2019)

Nov. 15, 2019

Nov. 15, 2019

PACER
7

NOTICE of Appearance by Marina Utgoff Braswell on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (Braswell, Marina) (Entered: 11/18/2019)

Nov. 18, 2019

Nov. 18, 2019

RECAP
8

ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.(Braswell, Marina) (Entered: 11/18/2019)

Nov. 18, 2019

Nov. 18, 2019

PACER

Notice of QC

Nov. 19, 2019

Nov. 19, 2019

PACER

NOTICE OF ERROR re 5 Notice of Appearance; emailed to kkotagal@cohenmilstein.com, cc'd 4 associated attorneys -- The PDF file you docketed contained errors: 1. Incorrect header/caption/case number, 2. Invalid attorney signature, 3. Please refile document, 4. Alice Buttrick must use her own credentials to enter her appearance. The case number is also incorrect on the document. (ztd, )

Nov. 19, 2019

Nov. 19, 2019

PACER

NOTICE OF ERROR re 6 Notice (Other); emailed to kkotagal@cohenmilstein.com, cc'd 4 associated attorneys -- The PDF file you docketed contained errors: 1. Incorrect event used, 2. Please refile document, 3. Refile using the events under Initial Pleadings and Service then select Summons Returned Executed as to U.S. Attorney General and U.S. Attorney. (ztd, )

Nov. 19, 2019

Nov. 19, 2019

PACER
9

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 10/24/2019. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 11/23/2019. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Service)(Kotagal, Kalpana) (Entered: 11/20/2019)

Nov. 20, 2019

Nov. 20, 2019

PACER
10

NOTICE of Appearance by Alice Buttrick on behalf of CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS (Buttrick, Alice) (Entered: 11/20/2019)

Nov. 20, 2019

Nov. 20, 2019

RECAP

~Util - Set/Reset Hearings

Nov. 25, 2019

Nov. 25, 2019

PACER

.Order

Nov. 25, 2019

Nov. 25, 2019

PACER

MINUTE ORDER: The parties are hereby ORDERED to appear for an Initial Scheduling Conference on December 12, 2019, at 3:30 p.m. in Courtroom 21. It is further ORDERED that the parties shall confer in advance of the Initial Scheduling Conference on (1) whether any records can be released, and (2) the proper next steps in this litigation. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 11/25/19. (lcrdm3, )

Nov. 25, 2019

Nov. 25, 2019

PACER

Scheduling Conference

Dec. 12, 2019

Dec. 12, 2019

PACER

~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines

Dec. 12, 2019

Dec. 12, 2019

PACER

.Order

Dec. 12, 2019

Dec. 12, 2019

PACER

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Randolph D. Moss: Initial Scheduling Conference held on 12/12/2019. The parties are encouraged to continue to meet and confer. (Court Reporter: Lisa Griffith.) (kt)

Dec. 12, 2019

Dec. 12, 2019

PACER

MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' proposal at the initial scheduling conference, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before February 28, 2020 and that the parties shall thereafter file further joint status reports every two months on the final business day of the month. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 12/12/19. (lcrdm3, )

Dec. 12, 2019

Dec. 12, 2019

PACER
11

NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Brenda A. Gonzalez on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Substituting for attorney Marina Utgoff Braswell (Gonzalez, Brenda) (Entered: 02/25/2020)

Feb. 25, 2020

Feb. 25, 2020

PACER
12

Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Gonzalez, Brenda) (Entered: 02/28/2020)

Feb. 28, 2020

Feb. 28, 2020

RECAP
13

Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Gonzalez, Brenda) (Entered: 04/30/2020)

April 30, 2020

April 30, 2020

PACER

~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines

May 12, 2020

May 12, 2020

PACER

.Order

May 12, 2020

May 12, 2020

PACER

MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' joint status report 13, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit a further joint status report on or before June 30, 2020. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 5/12/20. (lcrdm3, )

May 12, 2020

May 12, 2020

PACER
14

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- David O. Fisher, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-7280787. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Kotagal, Kalpana) (Entered: 06/29/2020)

June 29, 2020

June 29, 2020

PACER
15

NOTICE of Appearance by Michael A. Tilghman on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 06/30/2020)

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020

PACER
16

Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 06/30/2020)

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020

PACER
17

NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS. Attorney Alice Buttrick terminated. (Buttrick, Alice) (Entered: 07/10/2020)

July 10, 2020

July 10, 2020

PACER

MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of Defendant's Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice 14, it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED. David O. Fisher is hereby granted leave to appear pro hac vice in this case. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCrR 44.5(a). Click for Instructions. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 8/5/20. (lchw)

Aug. 5, 2020

Aug. 5, 2020

PACER

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

Aug. 5, 2020

Aug. 5, 2020

PACER
18

NOTICE of Appearance by David O. Fisher on behalf of CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS (Fisher, David) (Entered: 08/11/2020)

Aug. 11, 2020

Aug. 11, 2020

PACER
19

Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 08/31/2020)

Aug. 31, 2020

Aug. 31, 2020

PACER
20

Joint STATUS REPORT by CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS. (Kotagal, Kalpana) (Entered: 10/30/2020)

Oct. 30, 2020

Oct. 30, 2020

PACER
21

NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. Attorney Brenda A. Gonzalez-Horowitz terminated. (Gonzalez-Horowitz, Brenda) (Entered: 12/17/2020)

Dec. 17, 2020

Dec. 17, 2020

PACER
22

Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 12/31/2020)

Dec. 31, 2020

Dec. 31, 2020

RECAP
23

Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 02/26/2021)

Feb. 26, 2021

Feb. 26, 2021

PACER
24

Joint STATUS REPORT by CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS. (Kotagal, Kalpana) (Entered: 04/30/2021)

April 30, 2021

April 30, 2021

PACER
25

Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 06/30/2021)

June 30, 2021

June 30, 2021

PACER
26

Joint STATUS REPORT by CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS. (Kotagal, Kalpana) (Entered: 08/31/2021)

Aug. 31, 2021

Aug. 31, 2021

PACER

Case directly reassigned to Judge Florence Y. Pan. Judge Randolph D. Moss is no longer assigned to the case. (ztnr)

Oct. 1, 2021

Oct. 1, 2021

PACER

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Oct. 1, 2021

Oct. 1, 2021

PACER
27

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Ryan A. Wheeler, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-8806687. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration Dec. of Ryan A. Wheeler, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Kotagal, Kalpana) (Entered: 10/18/2021)

Oct. 18, 2021

Oct. 18, 2021

PACER

MINUTE ORDER granting 27 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. It is hereby ORDERED that Ryan A. Wheeler is admitted pro hac vice in this matter as counsel for Plaintiff. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Florence Y. Pan on 10/19/21. (lcaa)

Oct. 19, 2021

Oct. 19, 2021

PACER

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

Oct. 19, 2021

Oct. 19, 2021

PACER
28

NOTICE of Appearance by Ryan Wheeler on behalf of CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS (Wheeler, Ryan) (Entered: 10/20/2021)

Oct. 20, 2021

Oct. 20, 2021

PACER
29

Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 10/29/2021)

Oct. 29, 2021

Oct. 29, 2021

PACER
30

Joint STATUS REPORT by CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS. (Fisher, David) (Entered: 12/29/2021)

Dec. 29, 2021

Dec. 29, 2021

RECAP
31

Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 02/28/2022)

Feb. 28, 2022

Feb. 28, 2022

RECAP
32

NOTICE of Appearance by Dedra Seibel Curteman on behalf of All Defendants (Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 04/29/2022)

April 29, 2022

April 29, 2022

PACER
33

Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 04/29/2022)

April 29, 2022

April 29, 2022

PACER
34

Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 06/30/2022)

June 30, 2022

June 30, 2022

RECAP
35

Notice of Withdrawal of Appearance

July 5, 2022

July 5, 2022

PACER
36

Status Report

Aug. 31, 2022

Aug. 31, 2022

PACER

Notice (Other)

Sept. 23, 2022

Sept. 23, 2022

PACER
37

Notice of Substitution of Counsel

Nov. 1, 2022

Nov. 1, 2022

PACER
38

Status Report

Nov. 1, 2022

Nov. 1, 2022

PACER
39

Notice of Withdrawal of Appearance

Dec. 28, 2022

Dec. 28, 2022

PACER
40

Status Report

Dec. 29, 2022

Dec. 29, 2022

PACER

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Feb. 24, 2023

Feb. 24, 2023

PACER
41

Status Report

Feb. 27, 2023

Feb. 27, 2023

PACER
42

Status Report

Feb. 28, 2023

Feb. 28, 2023

PACER
43

Withdraw

Feb. 28, 2023

Feb. 28, 2023

PACER

Order on Motion to Withdraw

March 1, 2023

March 1, 2023

PACER
44

Status Report

April 28, 2023

April 28, 2023

PACER
45

Status Report

June 30, 2023

June 30, 2023

PACER
46

Notice of Withdrawal of Appearance

Aug. 2, 2023

Aug. 2, 2023

PACER

Notice of Provisional/Government Not Certified Status

Aug. 3, 2023

Aug. 3, 2023

PACER
47

Status Report

Aug. 31, 2023

Aug. 31, 2023

PACER
48

Status Report

Oct. 31, 2023

Oct. 31, 2023

PACER
49

Status Report

Jan. 9, 2024

Jan. 9, 2024

PACER
50

Stipulation of Dismissal

Feb. 21, 2024

Feb. 21, 2024

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: District of Columbia

Case Type(s):

Healthcare Access and Reproductive Issues

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 1.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Oct. 15, 2019

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Center for Reproductive Rights

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Attorney Organizations:

Center for Reproductive Rights

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Federal

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201

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

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Nature of Relief:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Records Disclosure