Case: Shen v. Simpson

4:23-cv-00208 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida

Filed Date: May 22, 2023

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

On May 22, 2023, individual plaintiffs, who were Chinese citizens that resided in Florida and a real estate brokerage firm that principally served Chinese and Chinese American clients, filed this lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida (ACLU). They claimed that Florida’s new property law, SB 264, imposed discriminatory prohibitions on the ownership and purchase of real property based on race, ethnicity, alienage, and national origin. For example, permanent residents who were not U.S. citizens and whose “domicile” was in China were prohibited from purchasing property in Florida. A similar but less restrictive rule would apply to people whose permanent home was in Cuba, Venezuela, or other “countries of concern,” including Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Syria.

The plaintiffs sued the state of Florida pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1343 and 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging: violations of the constitutional rights to equal protection, procedural due process, and the supremacy clause; 42 U.S.C. § 3613 based on alleged violations of the Fair Housing Act; and 42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq., which prohibits discrimination in real estate transactions. The plaintiffs sought a declaratory judgment that Florida’s law violated the U.S. Constitution and federal statutory law and an injunction to stop the enforcement of the law against them. In addition, the plaintiffs sought reasonable attorneys’ fees and their costs of the lawsuit.

On June 5, 2023, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint and added additional defendants representing Florida. The next day, the plaintiffs filed an emergency motion for a preliminary injunction, as the law would go into effect in less than a month, on July 1, 2023, and plaintiffs would be forced to lose their homes, register their existing properties with the State under threat of severe penalties, and face the loss of significant business. An amended motion for preliminary injunctive relief was filed on June 7, 2023. The court stayed other deadlines on July 5, 2023, as the parties litigated that motion, and held a motion hearing on July 18, 2023.

On August 17, 2023, the court denied the preliminary injunction. 687 F.Supp.3d 1219. It held that the plaintiffs did not show a substantial likelihood of success on the merits as to any of the alleged claims. As a result, the court did not consider the remaining preliminary injunction factors.

Subsequently, the plaintiffs appealed the decision, on August 21, 2023, to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (USCA Case Number 23-12737). The case was assigned to Judges Adalberto Jose Jordan, Kevin Newsom, and Nancy Gbana Abudu. The plaintiffs also filed in the district court an emergency motion for injunction pending appeal. The district court denied that motion on August 23, 2023. It stayed the case pending appeal on September 8, 2023.

On August 26, 2023, the plaintiffs filed a time sensitive motion for injunction pending appeal in the Eleventh Circuit.

On February 1, 2024, the Eleventh Circuit granted in part and denied in part the plaintiffs’ emergency motion for a preliminary injunction pending appeal. It held that the plaintiffs showed a substantial likelihood of success on their claim that the Florida law was preempted by federal law. However, it only granted preliminary injunctive relief as to two of the plaintiffs that would face the most imminent risk of irreparable harm. The court explained that oral argument would be heard in April 2024 by the merits panel, which would be better positioned to determine the issues presented on appeal. As of February 9, 2024, the case is ongoing.

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Summary Authors

Venesa Haska (2/9/2024)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67731884/parties/yifan-shen-v-commissioner-florida-department-of-agriculture/

Judge(s)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Attorney for Defendant

BELL, DANIEL WILLIAM (Florida)

FORRESTER, NATHAN ANDREW (Florida)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

CHANG, ROBERT SEUNGCHUL (Florida)

CHIN, GABRIEL J (Florida)

CUISON-VILLAZOR, ROSE (Florida)

Judge(s)

Winsor, Allen Cothrel (Florida)

Attorney for Plaintiff

GORSKI, ASHLEY MARIE (Florida)

Jadwat, Omar C.

KOO, ELIZABETH L (Florida)

LI, BETHANY YUE-PING (Florida)

Mahfooz, Sidra

SADOWSKY, JUSTIN M (Florida)

SHAFFER, DEREK LAWRENCE (Florida)

TAITZ, SARAH MICHELLE (Florida)

TANG, HAIYAN (Florida)

TILLEY, DANIEL BOAZ (Florida)

TOOMEY, PATRICK CHRISTOPHER (Florida)

WARREN, NICHOLAS (Florida)

WOFSY, CODY H (Florida)

Zafar, Noor

ZAMAN, RAZEEN J (Florida)

ZHU, KELIANG (Florida)

Attorney for Defendant

BELL, DANIEL WILLIAM (Florida)

FORRESTER, NATHAN ANDREW (Florida)

JACOBS, ARTHUR IVAN (Florida)

NORDBY, DANIEL ELDEN (Florida)

SAYLER, ERIK LOUIS (Florida)

SCHENCK, ROBERT SCOTT (Florida)

Service, Florida Attorney

WHITAKER, HENRY CHARLES (Florida)

Other

CHANG, ROBERT SEUNGCHUL (Florida)

CHIN, GABRIEL J (Florida)

CUISON-VILLAZOR, ROSE (Florida)

JARWALA, ALISHA (Florida)

RODRIGUEZ, MADELEINE KRISTINE (Florida)

TURNER, JOSHUA NATHANIEL (Florida)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1 4:23-cv-00208	Complaint	May 22, 2023	May 22, 2023 Complaint
17 4:23-cv-00208	First Amended Complaint	June 5, 2023	June 5, 2023 Complaint
69 4:23-cv-00208	Order Denying Preliminary Injunction Motion	Aug. 17, 2023	Aug. 17, 2023 Order/Opinion 687 F.Supp.3d 1219
90 4:23-cv-00208	USCA Order U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit	Feb. 1, 2024	Feb. 1, 2024 Order/Opinion

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Resources

Title	Description		External URL Date / External URL
Shen v. Simpson	In May 2023, a group of Chinese citizens who live, work, study, and raise families in Florida filed a lawsuit challenging Florida’s discriminatory property law, SB 264. Signed by Governor Ron DeSanti…	May 22, 2023	May 22, 2023 https://www.aclu.org/...

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67731884/yifan-shen-v-commissioner-florida-department-of-agriculture/

Last updated April 5, 2026, 4:19 a.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	CIVIL APPEAL DOCKETED. Notice of appeal filed by Appellants Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu on 08/21/2023. Fee Status: Fee Paid. Awaiting Appellant's Certificate of Interested Persons due on or before 09/08/2023 as to Appellant Yifan Shen. Awaiting Appellee's Certificate of Interested Persons due on or before 09/22/2023 as to Appellee Commissioner, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services [Entered: 08/25/2023 05:37 PM]	Aug. 23, 2023	Aug. 23, 2023 RECAP
2	APPEARANCE of Counsel Form filed by Ashley Gorski for Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. Related cases? No. [23-12737] (ECF: Ashley Gorski) [Entered: 08/25/2023 05:51 PM]	Aug. 25, 2023	Aug. 25, 2023 RECAP
3	TIME SENSITIVE MOTION for excess words/pages filed by Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. Motion is Opposed. [3] [23-12737] (ECF: Ashley Gorski) [Entered: 08/25/2023 10:33 PM]	Aug. 25, 2023	Aug. 25, 2023 RECAP
4	TIME SENSITIVE MOTION for injunction pending appeal, to expedite briefing, to expedite oral argument filed by Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. Motion is Opposed. [4] [23-12737] (ECF: Ashley Gorski) [Entered: 08/26/2023 12:08 AM]	Aug. 26, 2023	Aug. 26, 2023 RECAP
5	APPEARANCE of Counsel Form filed by Nicholas Warren for Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. Related cases? No. [23-12737] (ECF: Nicholas Warren) [Entered: 08/26/2023 01:13 PM]	Aug. 26, 2023	Aug. 26, 2023 RECAP
6	APPEARANCE of Counsel Form filed by Derek L. Shaffer for Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. Related cases? No. [23-12737] (ECF: Derek Shaffer) [Entered: 08/28/2023 08:53 AM]	Aug. 28, 2023	Aug. 28, 2023 RECAP
7	APPEARANCE of Counsel Form filed by Patrick Toomey for Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. Related cases? No. [23-12737] (ECF: Patrick Toomey) [Entered: 08/28/2023 11:31 AM]	Aug. 28, 2023	Aug. 28, 2023 RECAP
8	APPEARANCE of Counsel Form filed by Daniel William Bell for Chair, Florida Real Estate Commission, Commissioner, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Secretary, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Related cases? No. [23-12737] (ECF: Daniel Bell) [Entered: 08/28/2023 06:02 PM]	Aug. 28, 2023	Aug. 28, 2023 RECAP
9	APPEARANCE of Counsel Form filed by Robert Scott Schenck for Chair, Florida Real Estate Commission, Commissioner, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Secretary, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Related cases? No. [23-12737] (ECF: Robert Schenck) [Entered: 08/28/2023 06:06 PM]	Aug. 28, 2023	Aug. 28, 2023 RECAP
10	APPEARANCE of Counsel Form filed by Henry Charles Whitaker for Chair, Florida Real Estate Commission, Commissioner, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Secretary, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Related cases? No. [23-12737] (ECF: Henry Whitaker) [Entered: 08/28/2023 06:15 PM]	Aug. 28, 2023	Aug. 28, 2023 RECAP
11	APPEARANCE of Counsel Form filed by Cody Wofsy for Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. Related cases? No. [23-12737] (ECF: Cody Wofsy) [Entered: 08/29/2023 10:28 AM]	Aug. 29, 2023	Aug. 29, 2023 RECAP
12	APPEARANCE of Counsel Form filed by Noor Zafar for Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu Related cases? No. [23-12737] (ECF: Noor Zafar) [Entered: 08/29/2023 10:35 AM]	Aug. 29, 2023	Aug. 29, 2023 RECAP
13	APPEARANCE of Counsel Form filed by Omar Jadwat for Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. Related cases? No. [23-12737] (ECF: Omar Jadwat) [Entered: 08/29/2023 10:40 AM]	Aug. 29, 2023	Aug. 29, 2023 RECAP
14	APPEARANCE of Counsel Form filed by Sidra Mahfooz for Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu Related cases? No. [23-12737] (ECF: Sidra Mahfooz) [Entered: 08/29/2023 10:43 AM]	Aug. 29, 2023	Aug. 29, 2023 RECAP
15	APPEARANCE of Counsel Form filed by Nathan Andrew Forrester for Chair, Florida Real Estate Commission, Commissioner, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Secretary, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Related cases? No. [23-12737] (ECF: Nathan Forrester) [Entered: 08/29/2023 10:47 AM]	Aug. 29, 2023	Aug. 29, 2023 RECAP
16	TIME SENSITIVE MOTION to strike Plaintiffs' Motion for Injunction Pending Appeal filed by Chair, Florida Real Estate Commission, Commissioner, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Secretary, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Motion is Opposed. [16] [23-12737] (ECF: Henry Whitaker) [Entered: 08/29/2023 02:18 PM]	Aug. 29, 2023	Aug. 29, 2023 RECAP
17	RESPONSE to Motion filed by Appellants Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu [3] filed by Attorney Henry Charles Whitaker for Appellees Chair, Florida Real Estate Commission, Commissioner, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Secretary, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. [23-12737] (ECF: Henry Whitaker) [Entered: 08/29/2023 02:20 PM]	Aug. 29, 2023	Aug. 29, 2023 RECAP
18	APPEARANCE of Counsel Form filed by Keliang Zhu for Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. Related cases? No. [23-12737] (ECF: Keliang Zhu) [Entered: 08/31/2023 07:43 PM]	Aug. 31, 2023	Aug. 31, 2023 RECAP
30	MOTION to appear pro hac vice filed by Attorney Keliang Zhu for Appellants Yifan Shen, Zhiming Xu, Xinxi Wang, Yongxin Liu and Multi-Choice Realty LLC. [30] [Entered: 09/21/2023 03:48 PM]	Aug. 31, 2023	Aug. 31, 2023
32	MOTION to appear pro hac vice filed by Attorney Elizabeth Koo for Appellants Yifan Shen, Zhiming Xu, Xinxi Wang, Yongxin Liu and Multi-Choice Realty LLC. [32] [Entered: 09/21/2023 03:54 PM]	Aug. 31, 2023	Aug. 31, 2023
34	MOTION to appear pro hac vice filed by Attorney Razeen Zaman for Appellants Yifan Shen, Zhiming Xu, Xinxi Wang, Yongxin Liu and Multi-Choice Realty LLC. [34] [Entered: 09/21/2023 03:57 PM]	Aug. 31, 2023	Aug. 31, 2023
19	APPEARANCE of Counsel Form filed by Elizabeth Koo for Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. Related cases? No. [23-12737] (ECF: Elizabeth Koo) [Entered: 09/01/2023 09:56 AM]	Sept. 1, 2023	Sept. 1, 2023 RECAP
20	APPEARANCE of Counsel Form filed by Razeen Zaman for Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. Related cases? No. [23-12737] (ECF: Razeen Zaman) [Entered: 09/01/2023 10:51 AM]	Sept. 1, 2023	Sept. 1, 2023 RECAP
21	TRANSCRIPT INFORMATION FORM SUBMITTED by Attorney Keliang Zhu for Appellants Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. All necessary transcript(s) are on file. [23-12737] (ECF: Keliang Zhu) [Entered: 09/01/2023 04:19 PM]	Sept. 1, 2023	Sept. 1, 2023 RECAP
22	TRANSCRIPT INFORMATION form filed by Attorney Keliang Zhu for Appellants Yifan Shen, Zhiming Xu, Xinxi Wang, Yongxin Liu and Multi-Choice Realty LLC. All necessary transcript(s) are on file. [Entered: 09/05/2023 01:58 PM]	Sept. 5, 2023	Sept. 5, 2023 RECAP
23	Briefing Notice issued to Appellants Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. The appellant's brief is due on or before 10/02/2023. The appendix is due no later than 7 days from the filing of the appellant's brief. [Entered: 09/05/2023 02:34 PM]	Sept. 5, 2023	Sept. 5, 2023 RECAP
24	Certificate of Interested Persons and Corporate Disclosure Statement filed by Attorney Ashley Gorski for Appellants Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. On the same day the CIP is served, any filer represented by counsel must also complete the court's web-based stock ticker symbol certificate at the link here http://www.ca11.uscourts.gov/web-based-cip or on the court's website. See 11th Cir. R. 26.1-1(b). [23-12737] (ECF: Ashley Gorski) [Entered: 09/05/2023 03:13 PM]	Sept. 5, 2023	Sept. 5, 2023 RECAP
25	Civil Appeal Statement filed by Attorney Ashley Gorski for Appellants Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. Related cases? No. [23-12737] (ECF: Ashley Gorski) [Entered: 09/05/2023 04:49 PM]	Sept. 5, 2023	Sept. 5, 2023 RECAP
36	MOTION to appear pro hac vice filed by Attorney Bethany Yue Ping Li for Appellants Yifan Shen, Zhiming Xu, Xinxi Wang, Yongxin Liu and Multi-Choice Realty LLC. [36] [Entered: 09/21/2023 04:01 PM]	Sept. 6, 2023	Sept. 6, 2023
29	TRANSCRIPT INFORMATION form filed by Attorney Keliang Zhu for Appellants Yifan Shen, Zhiming Xu, Xinxi Wang, Yongxin Liu and Multi-Choice Realty LLC. All necessary transcript(s) are on file. [Entered: 09/14/2023 04:19 PM]	Sept. 7, 2023	Sept. 7, 2023 RECAP
26	APPEARANCE of Counsel Form filed by Daniel Tilley for Appellant Related cases? No. [23-12737] (ECF: Daniel Tilley) [Entered: 09/11/2023 03:44 PM]	Sept. 11, 2023	Sept. 11, 2023 RECAP
27	APPEARANCE of Counsel Form filed by Gabriel J. Chin, representing Aoki Center for Critical Race and Nation Studies, University of California, Davis, School of Law, amicus curiae. Gabriel J. Chin for Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. Related cases? No. [23-12737] (ECF: Gabriel Chin) [Entered: 09/11/2023 05:37 PM]	Sept. 11, 2023	Sept. 11, 2023 RECAP
28	Certificate of Interested Persons and Corporate Disclosure Statement filed by Attorney Henry Charles Whitaker for Appellees Chair, Florida Real Estate Commission, Commissioner, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Secretary, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. On the same day the CIP is served, any filer represented by counsel must also complete the court's web-based stock ticker symbol certificate at the link here http://www.ca11.uscourts.gov/web-based-cip or on the court's website. See 11th Cir. R. 26.1-1(b). [23-12737] (ECF: Henry Whitaker) [Entered: 09/13/2023 03:49 PM]	Sept. 13, 2023	Sept. 13, 2023 RECAP
31	ORDER: Motion to appear pro hac vice filed by Keliang Zhu is GRANTED by clerk [30]. [Entered: 09/21/2023 03:50 PM]	Sept. 21, 2023	Sept. 21, 2023 RECAP
33	ORDER: Motion to appear pro hac vice filed by Elizabeth Koo is GRANTED by clerk [32]. [Entered: 09/21/2023 03:55 PM]	Sept. 21, 2023	Sept. 21, 2023 RECAP
35	ORDER: Motion to appear pro hac vice filed by Razeen Zaman is GRANTED by clerk [34]. [Entered: 09/21/2023 03:58 PM]	Sept. 21, 2023	Sept. 21, 2023 RECAP
37	ORDER: Motion to appear pro hac vice filed by Bethany Yue Ping Li is GRANTED by clerk [36]. [Entered: 09/21/2023 04:03 PM]	Sept. 21, 2023	Sept. 21, 2023 RECAP
38	Appellant's brief filed by Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. [23-12737] (ECF: Ashley Gorski) [Entered: 10/02/2023 08:46 PM]	Oct. 2, 2023	Oct. 2, 2023 RECAP
39	Appendix filed [Two VOLUMES] by Appellants Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. [23-12737] (ECF: Ashley Gorski) [Entered: 10/02/2023 08:49 PM] 1 Appellant Appendix Volume I View on RECAP 2 Appellant Appendix Volume II View on RECAP	Oct. 2, 2023	Oct. 2, 2023
40	Received 4 paper copies of EBrief, filed by Appellants Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. [Entered: 10/04/2023 02:31 PM]	Oct. 4, 2023	Oct. 4, 2023
41	Received paper copies of EAppendix filed by Appellants Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. 2 VOLUMES - 2 COPIES [Entered: 10/04/2023 02:32 PM]	Oct. 4, 2023	Oct. 4, 2023
42	APPEARANCE of Counsel Form filed by Robert Seungchul Chang for Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality Related cases? No. [23-12737] (ECF: Robert Chang) [Entered: 10/06/2023 02:05 PM]	Oct. 6, 2023	Oct. 6, 2023 RECAP
43	APPEARANCE of Counsel Form filed by Madeleine Rodriguez for Amici Curiae Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality at Seattle University School of Law; Center for Immigration Law, Policy and Justice at Rutgers Law School; et al. Related cases? No. [23-12737] (ECF: Madeleine Rodriguez) [Entered: 10/10/2023 12:41 PM]	Oct. 10, 2023	Oct. 10, 2023 RECAP
44	MOTION to file amicus brief pursuant to FRAP 29(a) filed by Madeleine Rodriguez for Amici Curiae Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality at Seattle University School of Law; Center for Immigration Law, Policy and Justice at Rutgers Law School; et al.. [44] [23-12737] (ECF: Madeleine Rodriguez) [Entered: 10/10/2023 04:16 PM]	Oct. 10, 2023	Oct. 10, 2023 RECAP
54	Received 4 paper copies of EBrief, filed by Madeleine Rodriguez for Amici Curiae Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality at Seattle University School of Law;Center for Immigration Law, Policy and Justice at Rutgers Law School; et al. [Entered: 12/14/2023 10:19 AM]	Oct. 10, 2023	Oct. 10, 2023
45	ORDER: Motion to file excess words/pages filed by Appellants Yifan Shen, Zhiming Xu, Xinxi Wang, Yongxin Liu and Multi-Choice Realty LLC is GRANTED. [3]; Motion to strike filed by Appellees Commissioner, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Secretary, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and Chair, Florida Real Estate Commission is DENIED. [16]; Motion for injunction pending appeal filed by Appellants Yifan Shen, Zhiming Xu, Xinxi Wang, Yongxin Liu and Multi-Choice Realty LLC is HELD in abeyance. [4]; Motion to expedite briefing filed by Appellants Yifan Shen, Zhiming Xu, Xinxi Wang, Yongxin Liu and Multi-Choice Realty LLC is HELD in abeyance. [4]; Appellees are DIRECTED to file their response to the motion within 14 days after the date of this order.. ENTERED FOR THE COURT - BY DIRECTION. (See attached order for complete text) [Entered: 10/16/2023 04:30 PM]	Oct. 16, 2023	Oct. 16, 2023 RECAP
46	RESPONSE to Motion filed by Appellants Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu [4], Motion filed by Appellants Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu [4], Motion filed by Appellants Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu [4] filed by Attorney Henry Charles Whitaker for Appellees Chair, Florida Real Estate Commission, Commissioner, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Secretary, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. [23-12737] (ECF: Henry Whitaker) [Entered: 10/30/2023 11:50 PM]	Oct. 30, 2023	Oct. 30, 2023 RECAP
47	Appellee's Brief filed by Appellees Chair, Florida Real Estate Commission, Commissioner, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Secretary, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. [23-12737] (ECF: Henry Whitaker) [Entered: 11/01/2023 11:15 PM]	Nov. 1, 2023	Nov. 1, 2023 RECAP
48	REPLY to RESPONSE to Motion for injunction pending appeal [4], Motion to expedite briefing [4], Motion to expedite oral argument [4] filed by Appellants Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. [23-12737] (ECF: Ashley Gorski) [Entered: 11/02/2023 12:36 PM]	Nov. 2, 2023	Nov. 2, 2023 RECAP
49	Received 7 paper copies of EBrief, filed by Appellees Chair, Florida Real Estate Commission, Commissioner, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Secretary, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. [Entered: 11/03/2023 03:29 PM]	Nov. 3, 2023	Nov. 3, 2023
50	ORDER: The “Motion for Leave to File Brief of Amici Curiae in Support of Plaintiffs-Appellants by Racial Justice Centers, Affini-ty Bar and Professional Associations, and Civil Rights Advocacy Organizations” is GRANTED.. [44] JP (See attached order for complete text) [Entered: 11/09/2023 03:42 PM]	Nov. 9, 2023	Nov. 9, 2023 RECAP
51	Reply Brief filed by Appellants Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. [23-12737] (ECF: Ashley Gorski) [Entered: 11/16/2023 04:09 PM]	Nov. 16, 2023	Nov. 16, 2023 RECAP
52	Received 4 paper copies of EBrief, filed by Appellants Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. [Entered: 11/21/2023 09:36 AM]	Nov. 17, 2023	Nov. 17, 2023
53	Notice to the Court Concerning Plaintiff-Appellant Zhiming Xu filed by Attorney Ashley Gorski for Appellants Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. [23-12737] (ECF: Ashley Gorski) [Entered: 11/27/2023 04:31 PM]	Nov. 27, 2023	Nov. 27, 2023 RECAP
55	Notice to the Court concerning Plaintiff Yifan Shen filed by Attorney Ashley Gorski for Appellants Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. [23-12737] (ECF: Ashley Gorski) [Entered: 12/21/2023 09:06 AM]	Dec. 21, 2023	Dec. 21, 2023 RECAP
56	ORDER: The motion to expedite the appeal is GRANTED as follows. The Clerk’s Office is DIRECTED to expedite this appeal for merits disposition purposes and place this case on the next oral argument calendar with a vacancy. [4].;[4]. AJ, KCN and NGA (See attached order for complete text) [Entered: 01/17/2024 03:39 PM]	Jan. 17, 2024	Jan. 17, 2024 RECAP
57	Assigned to tentative calendar number 14 in Miami during the week of April 15, 2024. You must file an additional one identical paper copy of the brief and three identical paper copies of the appendix within seven days of the date of this notice. [Entered: 01/18/2024 08:50 AM]	Jan. 18, 2024	Jan. 18, 2024 RECAP
58	Additional copies of Appellant's Brief, Appendix and Reply Brief received from Ashley Gorski for Yifan Shen, Zhiming Xu, Xinxi Wang, Yongxin Liu and Multi-Choice Realty LLC and forwarded to the record room. [Entered: 01/23/2024 11:19 AM]	Jan. 23, 2024	Jan. 23, 2024
60	Additional copies of Amicus Brief received from Madeleine Kristine Rodriguez for Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality at Seattle University School of Law;Center for Immigration Law, Policy and Justice at Rutgers Law School; et al. and forwarded to the record room. [Entered: 02/07/2024 10:11 AM]	Jan. 26, 2024	Jan. 26, 2024
59	ORDER: Motion for preliminary injunction pending appeal filed by Appellants Yifan Shen, Zhiming Xu, Xinxi Wang, Yongxin Liu and Multi-Choice Realty LLC is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part. [4] AJ, KCN and NGA; ABUDU concurring (See attached order for complete text) [Entered: 02/01/2024 04:30 PM]	Feb. 1, 2024	Feb. 1, 2024 RECAP
61	Calendar issued as to cases to be orally argued the week of 04/15/2024 in Miami, Florida. Counsel are directed to electronically acknowledge receipt of this calendar by docketing the Calendar Receipt Acknowledged event in ECF (a document upload is not required). [Entered: 02/23/2024 10:42 AM]	Feb. 23, 2024	Feb. 23, 2024 RECAP
62	Attorney Ashley Gorski for Appellants Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the printed calendar for 04/19/2024. Ashley Gorski, 212-284-7305 will present argument. [23-12737] (ECF: Ashley Gorski) [Entered: 02/23/2024 10:57 AM]	Feb. 23, 2024	Feb. 23, 2024
63	Oral argument scheduled. Argument Date: Friday, 04/19/2024 Argument Location: Miami, FL. [Entered: 02/23/2024 01:00 PM]	Feb. 23, 2024	Feb. 23, 2024
64	Attorney Henry Charles Whitaker for Appellees Chair, Florida Real Estate Commission, Commissioner, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Secretary, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the printed calendar for 04/19/2024. Daniel William Bell - (850) 414-3300 will present argument. [23-12737] (ECF: Henry Whitaker) [Entered: 02/28/2024 04:59 PM]	Feb. 28, 2024	Feb. 28, 2024
65	Supplemental Authority filed by Appellees Chair, Florida Real Estate Commission, Commissioner, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Secretary, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. [23-12737] (ECF: Henry Whitaker) [Entered: 03/11/2024 05:12 PM]	March 11, 2024	March 11, 2024 RECAP
66	Response to Supplemental Authority (28J) filed by Appellants Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. [23-12737] (ECF: Ashley Gorski) [Entered: 03/13/2024 04:20 PM]	March 13, 2024	March 13, 2024 RECAP
67	Oral argument held this date. Oral Argument presented by Ashley Gorski for Appellants Yifan Shen, Zhiming Xu, Xinxi Wang, Yongxin Liu and Multi-Choice Realty LLC and Nathan Andrew Forrester for Appellees Commissioner, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Secretary, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and Chair, Florida Real Estate Commission. [Entered: 04/19/2024 11:51 AM]	April 19, 2024	April 19, 2024
68	Supplemental Authority filed by Appellants Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. [23-12737] (ECF: Ashley Gorski) [Entered: 05/15/2024 09:55 PM]	May 15, 2024	May 15, 2024 RECAP
69	MOTION to withdraw as counsel filed by Attorney Henry Charles Whitaker for Appellees Chair, Florida Real Estate Commission, Commissioner, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Secretary, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Opposition to Motion is Unknown [69] [23-12737] (ECF: Henry Whitaker) [Entered: 01/16/2025 03:48 PM]	Jan. 16, 2025	Jan. 16, 2025 RECAP
70	ORDER: Henry C. Whitaker's motion to withdraw as counsel for the Appellees is GRANTED. [69] ENTERED FOR THE COURT - BY DIRECTION.	Jan. 17, 2025	Jan. 17, 2025 RECAP
71	MOTION to withdraw as counsel filed by Attorney Daniel William Bell for Appellees Chair, Florida Real Estate Commission, Commissioner, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Secretary, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Opposition to Motion is Unknown [71] [23-12737] (ECF: Daniel Bell)	Jan. 31, 2025	Jan. 31, 2025 RECAP
72	ORDER: Daniel William Bell’s motion to withdraw as counsel for the Appellees is GRANTED. [71] ENTERED FOR THE COURT - BY DIRECTION. [Entered: 02/04/2025 10:57 AM]	Feb. 4, 2025	Feb. 4, 2025 RECAP
73	APPEARANCE of Counsel Form filed by Justin Sadowsky for Yifan Shen, Zhiming Xu, Xinxi Wang, Yongxin Liu, and Multi-Choice Realty LLC Related cases? No. [23-12737] (ECF: Justin Sadowsky) [Entered: 05/06/2025 12:57 PM]	May 6, 2025	May 6, 2025 RECAP
74	Opinion issued by court as to Appellants Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. Decision: Affirmed in part, Reversed and Remanded in part. Opinion type: Published. Opinion method: Signed. The opinion is also available through the Court's Opinions page at this link http://www.ca11.uscourts.gov/opinions. [Entered: 11/04/2025 09:20 AM]	Nov. 4, 2025	Nov. 4, 2025 RECAP
75	Judgment entered as to Appellants Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. [Entered: 11/04/2025 09:27 AM]	Nov. 4, 2025	Nov. 4, 2025 RECAP
	Opinion issued by court as to Appellants Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu. Decision: Affirmed in part, Reversed and Remanded in part. Opinion type: Published. Opinion method: Signed. The opinion is also available through the Court's Opinions page at this link http://www.ca11.uscourts.gov/opinions.	Nov. 4, 2025	Nov. 4, 2025
76	Mandate issued as to Appellants Yongxin Liu, Multi-Choice Realty LLC, Yifan Shen, Xinxi Wang and Zhiming Xu.	Dec. 9, 2025	Dec. 9, 2025

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Florida

Case Type(s):

Fair Housing/Lending/Insurance

Immigration and/or the Border

Key Dates

Filing Date: May 22, 2023

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Individual plaintiffs, who were Chinese citizens that resided in Florida, and a real estate brokerage firm that principally served Chinese and Chinese American clients.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

ACLU Affiliates (any)

ACLU National (all projects)

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

State

Florida