Case: Students Against Racial Discrimination v. The Regents of The University of California

8:25-cv-00192 | U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Filed Date: Feb. 3, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On February 3, 2025, Students Against Racial Discrimination filed this lawsuit against the University of California system in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The plaintiffs, represented by private counsel and the America First Legal Foundation, claimed that the university system engaged in racial discrimination during the student admissions process. According to the complaint, the universities in question gave preferential treatment to Black and Hispanic…

On February 3, 2025, Students Against Racial Discrimination filed this lawsuit against the University of California system in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The plaintiffs, represented by private counsel and the America First Legal Foundation, claimed that the university system engaged in racial discrimination during the student admissions process. According to the complaint, the universities in question gave preferential treatment to Black and Hispanic students. They sued under Title VI, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, and 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (based on alleged violations of the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause). The plaintiffs sought both declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent the consideration and disclosure of race in college admissions decisions.

The plaintiffs alleged that all nine of the system's campuses have discriminatory admissions practices. After California voters approved Proposition 209 in 1996, the University of California began to institute “race-neutrality” in admissions. Subsequently, the UC system introduced several in-state initiatives that led to increased applications from Black and Hispanic high school students. The plaintiffs argued that these trends in racial patterns at various California public colleges show that the UC admission model disproportionately favored Black and Hispanic applicants while disadvantaging Asian American applicants and, to a lesser extent, white applicants. As evidence of this, the plaintiffs pointed to the increased admissions rates of Black incoming freshmen at various California schools from 2010 to 2023. 

As of February 2025, this case is still ongoing. 

Summary Authors

Isabel Bysiewicz (2/9/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69607483/parties/v-the-regents-of-the-university-of-california/


Attorney for Plaintiff

Brown, William J. (California)

Giannetti, Ryan T. (California)

Mitchell, Jonathan F (California)

Attorney for Defendant

Adegbile, Debo P (California)

Ellsworth, Felicia H (California)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

8:25-cv-00192

Complaint

Students Against Racial Discrimination v. The Regents of the University of California

Feb. 3, 2025

Feb. 3, 2025

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69607483/v-the-regents-of-the-university-of-california/

Last updated July 7, 2025, 9:06 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
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COMPLAINT Receipt No: ACACDC-39032290 - Fee: $405, filed by plaintiff Students Against Racial Discrimination. (Attachments: # 1 Table 1, # 2 Table 2) (Attorney William J. Brown, Jr added to party Students Against Racial Discrimination(pty:pla))(Brown, William) (Entered: 02/03/2025)

1 Table 1

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2 Table 2

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Feb. 3, 2025

Feb. 3, 2025

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CIVIL COVER SHEET filed by Plaintiff Students Against Racial Discrimination. (Brown, William) (Entered: 02/03/2025)

Feb. 3, 2025

Feb. 3, 2025

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Request for Clerk to Issue Summons on Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening), 1 filed by plaintiff Students Against Racial Discrimination. (Brown, William) (Entered: 02/03/2025)

Feb. 3, 2025

Feb. 3, 2025

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NOTICE of Interested Parties filed by Plaintiff Students Against Racial Discrimination, (Brown, William) (Entered: 02/03/2025)

Feb. 3, 2025

Feb. 3, 2025

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NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT to a U.S. Magistrate Judge and Declination of Consent. This case has been randomly assigned to Magistrate Judge Autumn D. Spaeth. (jtil) (Entered: 02/06/2025)

Feb. 6, 2025

Feb. 6, 2025

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21 DAY Summons Issued re Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening), 1 as to Defendants Maria Anguiano, Elaine E Batchlor, Josiah Beharry, Carol T Christ, Carmen Chu, Michael Cohen, Michael V. Drake, Gareth Elliott, Julio J Frenk Mora, Howard Gillman, Howard Peter Guber, Sam Hawgood, Jose M Hernandez, Pradeep K Khosla, Eleni Kounalakis, Cynthia K Larive, Nancy Lee, Richard Leib, Hadi Makarechian, Ana Matosantos, Gary S May, Juan Sanchez Munoz, Robert Myers, Gavin Newsom, Geoffrey Pack, Lark Park, Janet Reilly, Robert Rivas, Mark Robinson, Alfonso Salazar, Gregory Sarris, Jonathan Jay Sures, The Regents of The University of California, Tony Thurmond, Kim A Wilcox, Henry T Yang. (jtil) (Entered: 02/06/2025)

Feb. 6, 2025

Feb. 6, 2025

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NOTICE OF PRO HAC VICE APPLICATION DUE for Non-Resident Attorney Jonathan F. Mitchell. A document recently filed in this case lists you as an out-of-state attorney of record. However, the Court has not been able to locate any record that you are admitted to the Bar of this Court, and you have not filed an application to appear Pro Hac Vice in this case. Accordingly, within 5 business days of the date of this notice, you must either (1) have your local counsel file an application to appear Pro Hac Vice (Form G-64) and pay the applicable fee, or (2) complete the next section of this form and return it to the court at cacd_attyadm@cacd.uscourts.gov. You have been removed as counsel of record from the docket in this case, and you will not be added back to the docket until your Pro Hac Vice status has been resolved. (jtil) (Entered: 02/06/2025)

Feb. 6, 2025

Feb. 6, 2025

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APPLICATION of Non-Resident Attorney Ryan T. Giannetti to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Plaintiff Students Against Racial Discrimination (Pro Hac Vice Fee - $500 Fee Paid, Receipt No. ACACDC-39159094) filed by plaintiff Students Against Racial Discrimination. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Brown, William) (Entered: 02/24/2025)

1 Proposed Order

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Feb. 24, 2025

Feb. 24, 2025

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ORDER ON APPLICATION OF NON-RESIDENT ATTORNEY TO APPEAR IN A SPECIFIC CASE PRO HAC VICE by Magistrate Judge Autumn D. Spaeth granting 8 Non-Resident Attorney Ryan T. Giannetti Application to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Plaintiff Students Against Racial Discrimination, designating William J. Brown, Jr. as local counsel. (kh) (Entered: 02/27/2025)

Feb. 26, 2025

Feb. 26, 2025

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APPLICATION of Non-Resident Attorney Jonathan F. Mitchell to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Plaintiff Students Against Racial Discrimination (Pro Hac Vice Fee - $500 Fee Paid, Receipt No. ACACDC-39188975) filed by plaintiff Students Against Racial Discrimination. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Brown, William) (Entered: 02/27/2025)

1 Proposed Order

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Feb. 27, 2025

Feb. 27, 2025

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ORDER ON APPLICATION OF NON-RESIDENT ATTORNEY TO APPEAR IN A SPECIFIC CASE PRO HAC VICE by Magistrate Judge Autumn D. Spaeth granting 10 Non-Resident Attorney Jonathan F. Mitchell Application to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Plaintiff Students Against Racial Discrimination, designating William J. Brown, Jr. as local counsel. (kh) (Entered: 02/28/2025)

Feb. 28, 2025

Feb. 28, 2025

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Minutes of In Chambers Order/Directive - no proceeding held

March 3, 2025

March 3, 2025

PACER
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MINUTE ORDER (IN CHAMBERS) ORDER REGARDING PLAINTIFF'S SERVICE OBLIGATION by Magistrate Judge Autumn D. Spaeth: This case has been randomly assigned to the United States Magistrate Judge Autumn D. Spaeth for all purposes. (Dkt. No. 7 ); see also General Order 24-05. Plaintiff must serve the Notice of Assignment to a U.S. Magistrate Judge and Declination of Consent on each defendant at the time of service of the Summons and Complaint. (Dkt. No. 7.) Proof of service must be filed within 14 days of service. See L.R. 4-6. (kh) (Entered: 03/03/2025)

March 3, 2025

March 3, 2025

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WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed filed by plaintiff Students Against Racial Discrimination. upon All Defendants. Waiver of Service signed by Felicia H. Ellsworth. (Brown, William) (Entered: 03/31/2025)

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

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Declination of Consent form received on March 31, 2025 was submitted within deadline set forth in L.R. 73-2.1. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (kh) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 04/01/2025)

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

PACER

MJDAP Timely Opt-Out

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

PACER
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NOTICE OF REASSIGNMENT of case from Magistrate Judge Autumn D. Spaeth to Judge John W. Holcomb for all further proceedings. Any discovery matters that may be referred to a Magistrate Judge are assigned to U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Early. The case number will now reflect the initials of the transferee Judges 8:25-cv-00192-JWH-(JDEx). (dve) (Entered: 04/01/2025)

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

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STANDING ORDER by Judge John W. Holcomb. (cla) (Entered: 04/02/2025)

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

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NOTICE of Appearance filed by attorney Joshua A Vittor on behalf of Defendants Maria Anguiano, Elaine E Batchlor, Josiah Beharry, Carol T Christ, Carmen Chu, Michael Cohen, Michael V. Drake, Gareth Elliott, Julio J Frenk Mora, Howard Gillman, Howard Peter Guber, Sam Hawgood, Jose M Hernandez, Pradeep K Khosla, Eleni Kounalakis, Cynthia K Larive, Nancy Lee, Richard Leib, Hadi Makarechian, Ana Matosantos, Gary S May, Juan Sanchez Munoz, Robert Myers, Gavin Newsom, Geoffrey Pack, Lark Park, Janet Reilly, Robert Rivas, Mark Robinson, Alfonso Salazar, Gregory Sarris, Jonathan Jay Sures, The Regents of The University of California, Tony Thurmond, Kim A Wilcox, Henry T Yang (Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Maria Anguiano(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Elaine E Batchlor(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Josiah Beharry(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Carol T Christ(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Carmen Chu(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Michael Cohen(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Michael V. Drake(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Gareth Elliott(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Julio J Frenk Mora(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Howard Gillman(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Howard Peter Guber(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Sam Hawgood(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Jose M Hernandez(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Pradeep K Khosla(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Eleni Kounalakis (pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Cynthia K Larive(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Nancy Lee(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Richard Leib(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Hadi Makarechian(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Ana Matosantos(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Gary S May(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Juan Sanchez Munoz(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Robert Myers(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Gavin Newsom(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Geoffrey Pack(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Lark Park(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Janet Reilly(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Robert Rivas(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Mark Robinson(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Alfonso Salazar(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Gregory Sarris(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Jonathan Jay Sures(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party The Regents of The University of California(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Tony Thurmond(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Kim A Wilcox(pty:dft), Attorney Joshua A Vittor added to party Henry T Yang(pty:dft))(Vittor, Joshua) (Entered: 04/23/2025)

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

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APPLICATION of Non-Resident Attorney Felicia H. Ellsworth to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Defendants Maria Anguiano, Elaine E Batchlor, Josiah Beharry, Carol T Christ, Carmen Chu, Michael Cohen, Michael V. Drake, Gareth Elliott, Julio J Frenk Mora, Howard Gillman, Howard Peter Guber, Sam Hawgood, Jose M Hernandez, Pradeep K Khosla, Eleni Kounalakis, Cynthia K Larive, Nancy Lee, Richard Leib, Hadi Makarechian, Ana Matosantos, Gary S May, Juan Sanchez Munoz, Robert Myers, Gavin Newsom, Geoffrey Pack, Lark Park, Janet Reilly, Robert Rivas, Mark Robinson, Alfonso Salazar, Gregory Sarris, Jonathan Jay Sures, The Regents of The University of California, Tony Thurmond, Kim A Wilcox, Henry T Yang (Pro Hac Vice Fee - $500 Fee Paid, Receipt No. ACACDC-39561968) filed by Defendant(s) Maria Anguiano, Elaine E Batchlor, Josiah Beharry, Carol T Christ, Carmen Chu, Michael Cohen, Michael V. Drake, Gareth Elliott, Julio J Frenk Mora, Howard Gillman, Howard Peter Guber, Sam Hawgood, Jose M Hernandez, Pradeep K Khosla, Eleni Kounalakis, Cynthia K Larive, Nancy Lee, Richard Leib, Hadi Makarechian, Ana Matosantos, Gary S May, Juan Sanchez Munoz, Robert Myers, Gavin Newsom, Geoffrey Pack, Lark Park, Janet Reilly, Robert Rivas, Mark Robinson, Alfonso Salazar, Gregory Sarris, Jonathan Jay Sures, The Regents of The University of California, Tony Thurmond, Kim A Wilcox, Henry T Yang. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Vittor, Joshua) (Entered: 04/23/2025)

1 Proposed Order

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April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

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APPLICATION of Non-Resident Attorney Debo P. Adegbile to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Defendants Maria Anguiano, Elaine E Batchlor, Josiah Beharry, Carol T Christ, Carmen Chu, Michael Cohen, Michael V. Drake, Gareth Elliott, Julio J Frenk Mora, Howard Gillman, Howard Peter Guber, Sam Hawgood, Jose M Hernandez, Pradeep K Khosla, Eleni Kounalakis, Cynthia K Larive, Nancy Lee, Richard Leib, Hadi Makarechian, Ana Matosantos, Gary S May, Juan Sanchez Munoz, Robert Myers, Gavin Newsom, Geoffrey Pack, Lark Park, Janet Reilly, Robert Rivas, Mark Robinson, Alfonso Salazar, Gregory Sarris, Jonathan Jay Sures, The Regents of The University of California, Tony Thurmond, Kim A Wilcox, Henry T Yang (Pro Hac Vice Fee - $500 Fee Paid, Receipt No. ACACDC-39562021) filed by Defendant(s) Maria Anguiano, Elaine E Batchlor, Josiah Beharry, Carol T Christ, Carmen Chu, Michael Cohen, Michael V. Drake, Gareth Elliott, Julio J Frenk Mora, Howard Gillman, Howard Peter Guber, Sam Hawgood, Jose M Hernandez, Pradeep K Khosla, Eleni Kounalakis, Cynthia K Larive, Nancy Lee, Richard Leib, Hadi Makarechian, Ana Matosantos, Gary S May, Juan Sanchez Munoz, Robert Myers, Gavin Newsom, Geoffrey Pack, Lark Park, Janet Reilly, Robert Rivas, Mark Robinson, Alfonso Salazar, Gregory Sarris, Jonathan Jay Sures, The Regents of The University of California, Tony Thurmond, Kim A Wilcox, Henry T Yang. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Vittor, Joshua) (Entered: 04/23/2025)

1 Proposed Order

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April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

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CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT filed by Defendants Maria Anguiano, Elaine E Batchlor, Josiah Beharry, Carol T Christ, Carmen Chu, Michael Cohen, Michael V. Drake, Gareth Elliott, Julio J Frenk Mora, Howard Gillman, Howard Peter Guber, Sam Hawgood, Jose M Hernandez, Pradeep K Khosla, Eleni Kounalakis, Cynthia K Larive, Nancy Lee, Richard Leib, Hadi Makarechian, Ana Matosantos, Gary S May, Juan Sanchez Munoz, Robert Myers, Gavin Newsom, Geoffrey Pack, Lark Park, Janet Reilly, Robert Rivas, Mark Robinson, Alfonso Salazar, Gregory Sarris, Jonathan Jay Sures, The Regents of The University of California, Tony Thurmond, Kim A Wilcox, Henry T Yang (Ellsworth, Felicia) (Entered: 04/23/2025)

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

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NOTICE TO FILER OF DEFICIENCIES in Electronic Filed Document RE: Notice of Appearance,,,,,,,,,,,, 17 . The following error(s) was/were found: Incorrect event selected. Correct event to be used is: Notice of Appearance or Withdrawal of Counsel G-123.. In response to this notice, the Court may: (1) order an amended or correct document to be filed; (2) order the document stricken; or (3) take other action as the Court deems appropriate. You need not take any action in response to this notice unless and until the Court directs you to do so. (ak) (Entered: 04/24/2025)

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

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Text Only ORDER GRANTING APPLICATION of Non-Resident Attorney Felicia H. Ellsworth to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Defendants Maria Anguiano, Elaine E Batchlor, Josiah Beharry, Carol T Christ, Carmen Chu, Michael Cohen, Michael V. Drake, Gareth Elliott, Julio J Frenk Mora 18 by Judge John W. Holcomb. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (cla) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 04/28/2025)

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

PACER

Generic Text Only Entry

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

PACER
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Text Only ORDER GRANTING APPLICATION of Non-Resident Attorney Debo P. Adegbile to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Defendants Maria Anguiano, Elaine E Batchlor, Josiah Beharry, Carol T Christ, Carmen Chu, Michael Cohen, Michael V. Drake, Gareth Elliott, Julio J Frenk Mora, Ho 19 by Judge John W. Holcomb. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (cla) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 04/28/2025)

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

PACER
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NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to Dismiss filed by Defendants Maria Anguiano, Elaine E Batchlor, Josiah Beharry, Carol T Christ, Carmen Chu, Michael Cohen, Michael V. Drake, Gareth Elliott, Julio J Frenk Mora, Howard Gillman, Howard Peter Guber, Sam Hawgood, Jose M Hernandez, Pradeep K Khosla, Eleni Kounalakis, Cynthia K Larive, Nancy Lee, Richard Leib, Hadi Makarechian, Ana Matosantos, Gary S May, Juan Sanchez Munoz, Robert Myers, Gavin Newsom, Geoffrey Pack, Lark Park, Janet Reilly, Robert Rivas, Mark Robinson, Alfonso Salazar, Gregory Sarris, Jonathan Jay Sures, The Regents of The University of California, Tony Thurmond, Kim A Wilcox, Henry T Yang. Motion set for hearing on 7/11/2025 at 09:00 AM before Judge John W. Holcomb. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum In Support, # 2 Proposed Order) (Ellsworth, Felicia) (Entered: 05/20/2025)

1 Memorandum In Support

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2 Proposed Order

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May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025

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Text Only Scheduling Notice

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

PACER
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Amended Complaint/Petition

1 Exhibit

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2 Exhibit

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3 Exhibit

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June 10, 2025

June 10, 2025

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Related Case(s)

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

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Extension of Time to File Document

1 Proposed Order

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June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

PACER
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Response

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

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Dismiss

June 25, 2025

June 25, 2025

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Case Details