Case: Laufer v. Acheson Hotels LLC

2:20-cv-00344 | U.S. District Court for the District of Maine

Filed Date: Sept. 24, 2020

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

(This summary is temporary, while we research the case.) The plaintiff in this case qualifies as an individual with a disability under the ADA. She also works as a "tester" " for the purpose of asserting her civil rights and ensuring whether places of public accommodation and their websites are in compliance with the ADA. The plaintiff found Acheson Hotels' website to be noncompliant with the ADA, and the plaintiff filed a lawsuit against Acheson Hotels on September 24, 2020 in order to compel …

(This summary is temporary, while we research the case.) The plaintiff in this case qualifies as an individual with a disability under the ADA. She also works as a "tester" " for the purpose of asserting her civil rights and ensuring whether places of public accommodation and their websites are in compliance with the ADA. The plaintiff found Acheson Hotels' website to be noncompliant with the ADA, and the plaintiff filed a lawsuit against Acheson Hotels on September 24, 2020 in order to compel Acheson Hotels to bring its website into compliant with the ADA. This case is now before the United States Supreme Court and set for oral argument on October 4, 2023. The issue before the Supreme Court is "whether a self-appointed Americans with Disabilities Act “tester” has Article III standing to challenge a place of public accommodation’s failure to provide disability accessibility information on its website, even if she lacks any intention of visiting that place of public accommodation."

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/18482730/parties/laufer-v-acheson-hotels-llc/


Judge(s)

Singal, George Z. (Maine)

Attorney for Plaintiff

LAUFER, DEBORAH (Maine)

RUGGIERO, DANIEL G. (Maine)

Attorney for Defendant

MORRIS, SALLY A. (Maine)

ROHDE, JENNIFER HUMPHREYS (Maine)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

No documents yet available via the Clearinghouse.

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/18482730/laufer-v-acheson-hotels-llc/

Last updated Sept. 30, 2025, 10:38 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against ACHESON HOTELS LLC filed by DEBORAH LAUFER. PAYMENT OF FILING FEE DUE WITHIN 48 HOURS. IF FILING FEE IS BEING PAID WITH A CREDIT CARD COUNSEL ARE INSTRUCTED TO LOGIN TO CMECF AND DOCKET Case Opening Filing Fee Paid FOUND IN THE Complaints and Other Initiating Documents CATEGORY. CHECK PAYMENTS DUE WITHIN 48 HOURS. (Service of Process Deadline 12/23/2020) Fee due by 9/28/2020.(mnd) (Entered: 09/24/2020)

Sept. 24, 2020

Sept. 24, 2020

RECAP
2

CIVIL COVER SHEET. (mnd) (Entered: 09/24/2020)

Sept. 24, 2020

Sept. 24, 2020

PACER

Set/Reset Deadlines

Sept. 24, 2020

Sept. 24, 2020

PACER

Set Deadlines : Pro Hac Vice Certificate due from Attorney DANIEL G. RUGGIERO by 10/8/2020. The Certification for Admission Pro Hac Vice form can be downloaded from our website at http://www.med.uscourts.gov/forms. (mnd)

Sept. 24, 2020

Sept. 24, 2020

PACER

Case Opening Filing Fee Paid

Sept. 29, 2020

Sept. 29, 2020

PACER

Filing Fee Paid via Credit Card ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number AMEDC-2328788.), filed by DEBORAH LAUFER.(RUGGIERO, DANIEL)

Sept. 29, 2020

Sept. 29, 2020

PACER
3

Summons Issued as to ACHESON HOTELS LLC. Counsel shall print the embossed summons and effect service in the manner in accordance with Fed.R.Civ.P.4. Note-If you are using Version 6 of Adobe Acrobat, be sure the PRINT WHAT field is set to DOCUMENTS AND COMMENTS (Click File, then Print to check this setting). (bfa) (Entered: 09/30/2020)

Sept. 30, 2020

Sept. 30, 2020

PACER
4

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE Show Cause Response due by 1/7/2021. By DEPUTY CLERK: Teagan Snyder(tcs) (Entered: 12/24/2020)

Dec. 24, 2020

Dec. 24, 2020

PACER

Case Reassigned to MAGISTRATE JUDGE JOHN C. NIVISON due to related cases. (jwr)

Dec. 30, 2020

Dec. 30, 2020

PACER

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Dec. 30, 2020

Dec. 30, 2020

PACER
5

RESPONSE TO 4 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE filed by DEBORAH LAUFER. (RUGGIERO, DANIEL) (Entered: 01/08/2021)

Jan. 8, 2021

Jan. 8, 2021

PACER
6

MOTION to Extend Time to FIle Motion for Alternative Service. No PDF document is attached. To view the motion, see ECF No. 5 by DEBORAH LAUFER (lrt) (Entered: 01/08/2021)

Jan. 8, 2021

Jan. 8, 2021

PACER
7

ORDER terminating 4 Order to Show Cause ; granting 6 Motion to Extend Time By JUDGE GEORGE Z. SINGAL. (lrt) (Entered: 01/08/2021)

Jan. 8, 2021

Jan. 8, 2021

PACER

Set/Reset Deadlines

Jan. 8, 2021

Jan. 8, 2021

PACER

Set Deadlines per Order entered this date: Service of Process Deadline reset to 1/22/2021 (lrt)

Jan. 8, 2021

Jan. 8, 2021

PACER

Order on Motion to Extend Time AND Order on Order to Show Cause

Jan. 8, 2021

Jan. 8, 2021

PACER
8

AFFIDAVIT of Service by DEBORAH LAUFER. ACHESON HOTELS LLC served on 1/13/2021. (RUGGIERO, DANIEL) (Entered: 01/21/2021)

Jan. 21, 2021

Jan. 21, 2021

PACER

Set/Reset Answer Deadline

Jan. 21, 2021

Jan. 21, 2021

PACER

Set Answer Deadline for ACHESON HOTELS LLC per Affidavit of Service filed this date: Answer due by 2/3/2021. (lrt)

Jan. 21, 2021

Jan. 21, 2021

PACER
10

MOTION To Take Judicial Notice by ACHESON HOTELS LLC Responses due by 2/24/2021. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Pacer Spreadsheet, # 2 Exhibit District Court Decision, # 3 Exhibit District Court Decision, # 4 Exhibit District Court Decision, # 5 Exhibit District Court Decision, # 6 District Court Decision)(MORRIS, SALLY) (Entered: 02/03/2021)

Feb. 3, 2021

Feb. 3, 2021

PACER
11

First MOTION for Leave to File Brief no more than 30 pages by DEBORAH LAUFER Responses due by 2/24/2021. (RUGGIERO, DANIEL) (Entered: 02/03/2021)

Feb. 3, 2021

Feb. 3, 2021

PACER
9

MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction by ACHESON HOTELS LLC Responses due by 2/24/2021. (MORRIS, SALLY) (Entered: 02/03/2021)

Feb. 3, 2021

Feb. 3, 2021

PACER

Set/Reset Deadlines

Feb. 3, 2021

Feb. 3, 2021

PACER

Set Deadlines : Per Local Rule 7.1 Defendant's Notice of Interested Parties or Corporate Disclosure Statement due by 2/10/2021. (lrt)

Feb. 3, 2021

Feb. 3, 2021

PACER
12

ORDER granting without objection 11 Motion for Leave to File Brief no more than 30 pages By JUDGE GEORGE Z. SINGAL. (lrt) (Entered: 02/04/2021)

Feb. 4, 2021

Feb. 4, 2021

PACER

Order on Motion for Leave to File

Feb. 4, 2021

Feb. 4, 2021

PACER
13

AMENDED COMPLAINT against ACHESON HOTELS LLC, filed by DEBORAH LAUFER. (Service of Process Deadline 5/10/2021)(RUGGIERO, DANIEL) (Entered: 02/08/2021)

Feb. 8, 2021

Feb. 8, 2021

PACER
14

ORDER reserving ruling 9 Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction; reserving ruling 10 Motion to Take Judicial Notice. RESERVE RULING. In light of the filing of the Amended Complaint (ECF No. 13) in accordance with Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a)(1)(B), the Court's present intention is to consider all of the arguments Defendant has pressed in its pending motions (ECF Nos. 9 & 10) as to the Amended Complaint (ECF No. 13), unless Defendant chooses to withdraw these motions and separately respond to the Amended Complaint. If the Amended Complaint survives Defendant's pending motions, the Court will set a deadline for Defendant to further respond in connection with its ruling on ECF Nos. 9 & 10. SO ORDERED. By JUDGE GEORGE Z. SINGAL. (lrt) (Entered: 02/09/2021)

Feb. 9, 2021

Feb. 9, 2021

PACER

Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief 1 AND Order on Motion to Dismiss/Lack of Jurisdiction

Feb. 9, 2021

Feb. 9, 2021

PACER

Order on Motion to Dismiss/Lack of Jurisdiction AND Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief 1

Feb. 9, 2021

Feb. 9, 2021

PACER
15

CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by ACHESON HOTELS LLC. (MORRIS, SALLY) (Entered: 02/11/2021)

Feb. 11, 2021

Feb. 11, 2021

PACER
16

RESPONSE to Motion re 9 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction filed by DEBORAH LAUFER. Reply due by 3/11/2021. (Attachments: # 1 **FILED IN ERROR** Affidavit Exhibit A)(RUGGIERO, DANIEL) Modified on 2/25/2021 to reflect that the affidavit was filed in error and has been re-filed (lrt). (Entered: 02/25/2021)

Feb. 25, 2021

Feb. 25, 2021

PACER
17

Affidavit of Deborah Laufer filed by DEBORAH LAUFER re 16 Response to Motion .. (RUGGIERO, DANIEL) Modified on 2/25/2021 to clarify docket text (lrt). (Entered: 02/25/2021)

Feb. 25, 2021

Feb. 25, 2021

PACER
18

NOTICE of Appearance by JENNIFER HUMPHREYS ROHDE on behalf of ACHESON HOTELS LLC (ROHDE, JENNIFER) (Entered: 02/28/2021)

Feb. 28, 2021

Feb. 28, 2021

PACER
19

Unopposed MOTION for Leave to File Oversized Reply to Pl's Opposition to Defendant's Motion to Dismiss by ACHESON HOTELS LLC Responses due by 3/22/2021. (ROHDE, JENNIFER) (Entered: 03/01/2021)

March 1, 2021

March 1, 2021

PACER
20

ORDER granting 19 Motion for Leave to File Reply in Excess of Page Limit. By MAGISTRATE JUDGE JOHN C. NIVISON. (NIVISON, JOHN) (Entered: 03/01/2021)

March 1, 2021

March 1, 2021

PACER

Order on Motion for Leave to File

March 1, 2021

March 1, 2021

PACER
21

REPLY to Response to Motion re 9 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction filed by ACHESON HOTELS LLC. (MORRIS, SALLY) (Entered: 03/11/2021)

March 11, 2021

March 11, 2021

PACER
22

NOTICE/CORRESPONDENCE Re: Supplemental Authority by DEBORAH LAUFER (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit A - Surf Hotels Decision)(RUGGIERO, DANIEL) (Entered: 03/14/2021)

March 14, 2021

March 14, 2021

PACER
23

NOTICE/CORRESPONDENCE Re: Second Supplemental Authority by DEBORAH LAUFER (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Drashti Batavia, # 2 Exhibit B - Jamestown)(RUGGIERO, DANIEL) (Entered: 03/22/2021)

March 22, 2021

March 22, 2021

PACER
24

ORDER OF DISMISSAL granting 9 Motion to Dismiss ; granting 10 Request for Judicial Notice By JUDGE GEORGE Z. SINGAL. (lrt) (Entered: 05/18/2021)

May 18, 2021

May 18, 2021

RECAP
25

JUDGMENT By DEPUTY CLERK: Lindsey Tully. (lrt) (Entered: 05/19/2021)

May 19, 2021

May 19, 2021

PACER
26

NOTICE OF APPEAL as to 24 Order on Motion to Dismiss/Lack of Jurisdiction, Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief 1, 25 Judgment by DEBORAH LAUFER . ( Filing fee $ 505 receipt number AMEDC-2494456.) NOTICE TO COUNSEL: A Transcript Report/Order Form, which can be downloaded from our web site at http://www.med.uscourts.gov/forms/ MUST be completed and submitted to the Court of Appeals. Counsel should also register for a First Circuit CM/ECF Appellate Filer Account at https://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/pscof/regWizard.jsf and review the First Circuit requirements for electronic filing by visiting the CM/ECF Information section at http://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/cmecf (RUGGIERO, DANIEL) (Entered: 05/19/2021)

May 19, 2021

May 19, 2021

PACER
27

APPEAL COVER SHEET Re: 26 Notice of Appeal (bfa) (Entered: 05/20/2021)

May 20, 2021

May 20, 2021

PACER
28

CLERK'S CERTIFICATE Re: 26 Notice of Appeal. Documents sent to the U.S. Court of Appeals. (bfa) (Entered: 05/20/2021)

May 20, 2021

May 20, 2021

PACER
29

USCA Case Number 21-1410 for 26 Notice of Appeal filed by DEBORAH LAUFER. (lrt) (Entered: 05/20/2021)

May 20, 2021

May 20, 2021

PACER

Abbreviated Appeal Record Transmitted to USCA

May 20, 2021

May 20, 2021

PACER

Copies of Notice of Appeal Sent to Counsel

May 20, 2021

May 20, 2021

PACER

Abbreviated Appeal Record Transmitted Electronically to U.S. Court of Appeals re 26 Notice of Appeal (bfa)

May 20, 2021

May 20, 2021

PACER

COPIES of Notice of Appeal Sent to Counsel Re: 26 Notice of Appeal filed by DEBORAH LAUFER. (mnd)

May 20, 2021

May 20, 2021

PACER
30

Opinion of USCA Re: 26 Notice of Appeal, filed by DEBORAH LAUFER (lrt) (Entered: 10/05/2022)

Oct. 5, 2022

Oct. 5, 2022

PACER
31

JUDGMENT of USCA re 26 Notice of Appeal, Check for Receipt of Mandate on 11/4/2022. (lrt) (Entered: 10/05/2022)

Oct. 5, 2022

Oct. 5, 2022

PACER
32

MANDATE of USCA as to 26 Notice of Appeal, filed by DEBORAH LAUFER () (lrt) (Entered: 10/28/2022)

Oct. 27, 2022

Oct. 27, 2022

PACER
33

NOTICE of Hearing: Telephonic status Conference set for 12/1/2022 09:00 AM before JUDGE GEORGE Z. SINGAL. All parties have been provided with the call-in information. (lrt) (Entered: 10/31/2022)

Oct. 31, 2022

Oct. 31, 2022

PACER
34

STATUS REPORT by ACHESON HOTELS LLC. (MORRIS, SALLY) (Entered: 11/28/2022)

Nov. 28, 2022

Nov. 28, 2022

PACER
35

ORDER - In light of the status report (ECF No. 34), the Court cancels the 12/1/22 status conference. This matter shall be STAYED pending further order of the Court. Counsel shall provide a status update on the pending petition for writ of certiorari no later than March 1, 2023. SO ORDERED. By JUDGE GEORGE Z. SINGAL. (lrt) (Entered: 11/28/2022)

Nov. 28, 2022

Nov. 28, 2022

PACER

Set/Reset Deadlines

Nov. 28, 2022

Nov. 28, 2022

PACER

Set Deadlines : per Order No. 35, Status Report due by 3/1/2023. (lrt)

Nov. 28, 2022

Nov. 28, 2022

PACER

Order

Nov. 28, 2022

Nov. 28, 2022

PACER
36

USCA TAXATION OF COSTS as to 26 Notice of Appeal (lrt) (Entered: 12/01/2022)

Nov. 30, 2022

Nov. 30, 2022

PACER
37

MOTION by Attorney Jennifer H. Rohde to Withdraw as Attorney by ACHESON HOTELS LLC Responses due by 1/9/2023. (ROHDE, JENNIFER) (Entered: 12/19/2022)

Dec. 19, 2022

Dec. 19, 2022

PACER
38

ORDER granting 37 Motion by Attorney Jennifer H. Rohde to Withdraw as Attorney. By MAGISTRATE JUDGE JOHN C. NIVISON. (NIVISON, JOHN) (Entered: 12/19/2022)

Dec. 19, 2022

Dec. 19, 2022

PACER

Order on Motion to Withdraw as Attorney

Dec. 19, 2022

Dec. 19, 2022

PACER
39

STATUS REPORT by ACHESON HOTELS LLC. (MORRIS, SALLY) (Entered: 03/03/2023)

March 3, 2023

March 3, 2023

PACER
40

ORDER re 39 Status Report filed by ACHESON HOTELS LLC. In light of the status report (ECF No. 39), this matter shall remain STAYED pending further order of the Court. Counsel shall provide a status update on the pending petition for writ of certiorari no later than June 2, 2023. SO ORDERED. By JUDGE GEORGE Z. SINGAL. (JPL) (Entered: 03/06/2023)

March 6, 2023

March 6, 2023

PACER

Order

March 6, 2023

March 6, 2023

PACER

Set/Reset Deadlines

March 6, 2023

March 6, 2023

PACER

Set Deadlines per Order No. 40: Status Report due by 6/2/2023. (jgd)

March 6, 2023

March 6, 2023

PACER
41

STATUS REPORT by ACHESON HOTELS LLC. (MORRIS, SALLY) (Entered: 06/06/2023)

June 6, 2023

June 6, 2023

PACER
42

ORDER - The stay is hereby extended. This defendant is excused from filing additional status reports pending a decision from the Supreme Court. SO ORDERED. By JUDGE GEORGE Z. SINGAL. (lrt) (Entered: 06/07/2023)

June 7, 2023

June 7, 2023

PACER

Order

June 7, 2023

June 7, 2023

PACER
43

Letter from USCA as to 26 Notice of Appeal, (Attachments: # 1 Letter from the Supreme Court)(lrt) (Entered: 07/20/2023)

July 19, 2023

July 19, 2023

PACER
44

LETTER from the Clerk's Office to the Court of Appeals (lrt) (Entered: 07/20/2023)

July 20, 2023

July 20, 2023

PACER
45

Notice of Voluntary Dismissal by DEBORAH LAUFER (Attachments: # 1 Cover Letter from Supreme Court Counsel, # 2 Envelope)(lrt) (Entered: 07/20/2023)

1 Cover Letter from Supreme Court Counsel

View on RECAP

2 Envelope

View on RECAP

July 20, 2023

July 20, 2023

RECAP
46

JUDGMENT of USCA re 26 Notice of Appeal (lrt) (Entered: 01/09/2024)

Jan. 8, 2024

Jan. 8, 2024

PACER
47

MANDATE of USCA as to 26 Notice of Appeal (lrt) (Entered: 01/30/2024)

Jan. 30, 2024

Jan. 30, 2024

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Maine

Case Type(s):

Disability Rights

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 24, 2020

Closing Date: May 19, 2021

Case Ongoing: Yes

Case Details

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket