Case: Christian Employers Alliance v. United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

1:25-cv-00007 | U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota

Filed Date: Jan. 15, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

This case is about two actions by the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regarding gender identity and accommodations for abortion in the workplace. First, the EEOC published requirements and guidance on gender identity discrimination in the workplace. Specifically, the EEOC stated that discrimination based on gender identity constituted sex discrimination in violation of Title VII, and indicated that actions by an employer like misgendering, deadnaming, and unequal bathroom access all amounted to sex-based discrimination. The EEOC also brought enforcement actions against employers who did not comply, including EEOC v. Harmony Hospitality, EEOC v. Starboard Group, EEOC v. Lush Handmade Cosmetics, EEOC v. Boxwood Hotels, EEOC v. Sis-Bro Inc., and EEOC v. Reggio's Pizza. Second, the EEOC promulgated a rule which required employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with a physical or mental condition related to abortion.

On January 15, 2025, the Christian Employers Alliance (CEA) brought this lawsuit against the EEOC in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota. Represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, CEA sought declaratory and injunctive relief, along with attorney’s fees. They claimed that the EEOC’s actions regarding gender identity and its rule regarding accommodations for abortion violated the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. § 706(2)(A)-(D)), the separation of powers, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (42 U.S.C. § 2000bb-1), and both the Free Exercise Clause and Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment. The case was assigned to Judge Daniel L. Hovland.

After President Trump was inaugurated to his second term, on Jan. 20, 2025, he issued several Executive Orders that declared the Administration's view regarding gender identity (EO 14201, Keeping Men out of Women's Sports; EO 14187, Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation, and EO 14168, Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government). The EEOC issued a press release on "Removing Gender Ideology and Restoring the EEOC’s Role of Protecting Women in the Workplace" and moved to dismiss its cases, referenced above, that charged transgender discrimination as a type of sex discrimination.

On May 23, 2025, CEA filed a motion for partial summary judgment. CEA argued that the EEOC's rule regarding accommodations for abortion is contrary to law under the APA because it "requires employers to facilitate an employee's abortion and interferences with employers' freedom to speak against abortion or enforce their inconsistent policies." It asked the court to declare the rule contrary to law and vacate it, or enjoin the EEOC from enforcing it against CEA's members. CEA requested oral argument on this motion.

The EEOC filed its Answer on June 3, 2025.

The government shutdown caused the court to stay the case on October 15, 2025, which the court lifted on November 21, 2025.

The court gave the defendants until January 30, 2026, to respond to the plaintiff's motion for partial summary judgment. A scheduling conference will take place by telephone on February 2, 2026.

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Connor Mulvena (2/18/2025)

Nicole Brigstock (12/17/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69556292/parties/christian-employers-alliance-v-united-states-equal-employment-opportunity/

Judge(s)

Hovland, Daniel L. (North Dakota)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Blake, Julie Marie (North Dakota)

Bowman, Matthew S. (North Dakota)

Attorney for Defendant

Fuchs, Yuri (North Dakota)

Ortolano, Karima (North Dakota)

Judge(s)

Hovland, Daniel L. (North Dakota)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Blake, Julie Marie (North Dakota)

Bowman, Matthew S. (North Dakota)

Attorney for Defendant

Fuchs, Yuri (North Dakota)

Ortolano, Karima (North Dakota)

Siler, Jacob S. (North Dakota)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 1:25-cv-00007	Complaint for Injunctive and Declaratory Relief	Jan. 15, 2025	Jan. 15, 2025 Complaint
17 1:25-cv-00007	Answer to Plaintiff's Complaint Christian Employers Alliance v. United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission et al.	June 3, 2025	June 3, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief

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Resources

Resources related to this case
Title	Description		External URL Date / External URL
EO 14168 - Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government President Donald Trump	Declaring that the United States government recognized two biologically-defined sexes, male and female and implementing this definition of gender in various legal spaces, including but not limited to…	Jan. 20, 2025	Jan. 20, 2025 https://www.federalregister.gov/...
EEOC Notice 915.064 - Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission	Issuing the EEOC's broad guidance on harassment in the workplace under EEOC-enforced laws. In part, this guidance indicated the EEOC's position that discrimination based on gender identity or sexual …	April 29, 2024	April 29, 2024 https://www.eeoc.gov/...
Final EEOC Guidance - Implementation of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission	Issuing final guidance by the EEOC as to employers' obligations under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act	April 19, 2024	April 19, 2024 https://www.federalregister.gov/...

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69556292/christian-employers-alliance-v-united-states-equal-employment-opportunity/

Last updated July 22, 2026, 4:51 a.m.

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	Jan. 15, 2025	COMPLAINT against Charlotte A. Burrows, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Filing fee $405, receipt number 100002903) filed by Christian Employers Alliance. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(jb) (Entered: 01/15/2025) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER	Clearinghouse
2	Jan. 15, 2025	Summons Issued as to Charlotte A. Burrows, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (jb) (Entered: 01/15/2025)	RECAP
3	Jan. 15, 2025	Corporate Disclosure Statement by Christian Employers Alliance. (Bowman, Matthew) (Entered: 01/15/2025)	RECAP
4	Feb. 10, 2025	SUMMONS Returned Executed by Christian Employers Alliance. United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission served on 1/22/2025, answer due 3/24/2025. (Blake, Julie) (Entered: 02/10/2025)	RECAP
5	Feb. 10, 2025	SUMMONS Returned Executed by Christian Employers Alliance. Charlotte A. Burrows served on 1/22/2025, answer due 3/24/2025. (Blake, Julie) (Entered: 02/10/2025)	RECAP
6	Feb. 10, 2025	SUMMONS Returned Executed by Christian Employers Alliance. Charlotte A. Burrows served on 1/27/2025, answer due 3/28/2025; United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission served on 1/27/2025, answer due 3/28/2025. (Blake, Julie) (Main Document 6 replaced on 2/11/2025 to remove overlapping headers) (cjs). Regenerated on 2/11/2025 (cjs). (Entered: 02/10/2025)	RECAP
7	March 20, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Jacob S. Siler on behalf of All Defendants (Siler, Jacob) (Entered: 03/20/2025)	RECAP
8	March 20, 2025	RESTRICTED - SHOULD HAVE BEEN FILED AS SEPARATE EVENTS MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 1 Complaint by Charlotte A. Burrows, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Siler, Jacob) Modified to restrict access on 3/21/2025 (sl). (Entered: 03/20/2025)	RECAP
9	March 20, 2025	MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 1 Complaint by Charlotte A. Burrows and United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (sl) (Entered: 03/21/2025)	RECAP
10	March 20, 2025	MEMORANDUM in Support re 9 MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 1 Complaint filed by Charlotte A. Burrows and United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (sl) (Entered: 03/21/2025)	RECAP
	March 21, 2025	DOCKET CORRECTION re: 8 MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer. Should have been filed using separate event codes. Clerk's Office restricted access to document and re-filed as MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer at 9 and MEMORANDUM in Support at 10 . (sl)
11	March 23, 2025	(Text Only) ORDER by Magistrate Judge Clare R. Hochhalter granting 9 Motion for Extension of Time to Answer. Defendants shall have until 5/27/2025 file an answer or otherwise respond to Plaintiff's Complaint. (BG) (Entered: 03/23/2025)	RECAP
12	April 14, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Karima Ortolano on behalf of All Defendants (Ortolano, Karima) (Entered: 04/14/2025)	RECAP
13	May 23, 2025	MOTION for Partial Summary Judgment, MOTION for Hearing by Christian Employers Alliance. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Exhibit A - Declaration of Margaret Iuculano, # 3 Exhibit B - Declaration of Jeff Booher, # 4 Exhibit C - Declaration of Kimberly Fletcher)(Bowman, Matthew) (Entered: 05/23/2025)	RECAP
14	May 27, 2025	MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer or Otherwise Respond to Plaintiff's Complaint by Charlotte A. Burrows, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Ortolano, Karima) (Entered: 05/27/2025)	RECAP
15	May 27, 2025	MEMORANDUM in Support re 14 MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer or Otherwise Respond to Plaintiff's Complaint filed by Charlotte A. Burrows, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Ortolano, Karima) (Entered: 05/27/2025)	RECAP
16	May 28, 2025	(Text Only) ORDER by Magistrate Judge Clare R. Hochhalter granting 14 Motion for Extension of Time to Answer. Defendants shall answer or otherwise respond to Plaintiff's Complaint by 6/3/2025. (GW) (Entered: 05/28/2025)	RECAP
17	June 3, 2025	ANSWER to 1 Complaint by Charlotte A. Burrows, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.(Ortolano, Karima) (Entered: 06/03/2025)	Clearinghouse
18	June 4, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Yuri Fuchs on behalf of Charlotte A. Burrows, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Fuchs, Yuri) (Entered: 06/04/2025)	RECAP
19	June 4, 2025	MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney by Charlotte A. Burrows, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Ortolano, Karima) (Entered: 06/04/2025)	RECAP
20	June 5, 2025	(Text Only) ORDER by Magistrate Judge Clare R. Hochhalter granting 19 Motion to Withdraw as Attorney. Attorney Karima Ortolano terminated. (BG) (Entered: 06/05/2025)	RECAP
21	June 5, 2025	ORDER: Scheduling Conference set for 7/1/2025 at 9:00 AM by telephone before Magistrate Judge Clare R. Hochhalter. By Magistrate Judge Clare R. Hochhalter. (BG) (Main Document 21 replaced on 6/5/2025 to correct case number) NEF Regenerated (mf)	RECAP
22	June 6, 2025	MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 13 MOTION for Partial Summary Judgment MOTION for Hearing, MOTION to Continue Case Management Conference to August 1, 2025 by Charlotte A. Burrows, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Fuchs, Yuri) Modified on 6/9/2025 to remove incorrect link (mf) (Entered: 06/06/2025)	RECAP
23	June 6, 2025	MEMORANDUM in Support re 22 MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 13 MOTION for Partial Summary Judgment MOTION for Hearing MOTION to Continue Case Management Conference to August 1, 2025 filed by Charlotte A. Burrows, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Fuchs, Yuri) Modified on 6/9/2025 to clean up docket text. (mf) (Entered: 06/06/2025)	RECAP
	June 9, 2025	DOCKET CORRECTION re: 22 Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply and Motion to Continue. Clerk's Office removed incorrect link. 23 Memorandum in Support. Clerk's Office cleaned up docket text. (mf)
24	June 10, 2025	(Text Only) ORDER by Magistrate Judge Clare R. Hochhalter granting 22 Motion to Continue Scheduling Conference REset for 8/1/2025 at 9:30 AM by telephone before Magistrate Judge Clare R. Hochhalter (previously set for 7/1/2025) (BG) (Entered: 06/10/2025)	RECAP
25	June 10, 2025	(Text Only) ORDER by Judge Daniel L. Hovland granting 22 Motion for Extension of Time to File Response re 13 MOTION for Partial Summary Judgment. Response due by 7/28/2025. (MM) (Entered: 06/10/2025)	RECAP
26	July 9, 2025	MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney by Charlotte A. Burrows, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Fuchs, Yuri) (Entered: 07/09/2025)	RECAP
27	July 10, 2025	(Text Only) ORDER by Magistrate Judge Clare R. Hochhalter granting 26 Motion to Withdraw as Attorney. Attorney Yuri Fuchs terminated. (GW) (Entered: 07/10/2025)	RECAP
28	July 24, 2025	MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 13 MOTION for Partial Summary Judgment MOTION for Hearing, MOTION to Continue Case Management Conference to October 31, 2025 by Charlotte A. Burrows, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Siler, Jacob) (Entered: 07/24/2025)	RECAP
29	July 24, 2025	MEMORANDUM in Support re 28 MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 13 MOTION for Partial Summary Judgment MOTION for Hearing MOTION to Continue Case Management Conference to October 31, 2025 filed by Charlotte A. Burrows, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Siler, Jacob) (Entered: 07/24/2025)	RECAP
30	July 31, 2025	(Text Only) ORDER by Magistrate Judge Clare R. Hochhalter granting 28 Motion for Extension of Time to File Response re 13 MOTION for Partial Summary Judgment. Responses due by 10/27/2025; granting 28 Motion to Continue. Scheduling Conference REset for 10/31/2025 at 9:00 AM by telephone before Magistrate Judge Clare R. Hochhalter (previously set for 8/1/2025) (BG) (Entered: 07/31/2025)	RECAP
31	Oct. 14, 2025	MOTION to Stay Case Deadlines in Light of Lapse of Appropriations by Charlotte A. Burrows, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Siler, Jacob) (Entered: 10/14/2025)	RECAP
32	Oct. 14, 2025	MEMORANDUM in Support re 31 MOTION to Stay Case Deadlines in Light of Lapse of Appropriations filed by Charlotte A. Burrows, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Siler, Jacob) (Entered: 10/14/2025)	RECAP
33	Oct. 15, 2025	ORDER by Judge Daniel L. Hovland granting 31 Motion to Stay Case Deadlines. (MM) (Entered: 10/15/2025)	RECAP
34	Oct. 28, 2025	(Text Only) ORDER: Scheduling Conference set for 10/31/2025 at 9:00 AM is CANCELLED. To be rescheduled at a later date and time. By Magistrate Judge Clare R. Hochhalter. (GW) (Entered: 10/28/2025)	RECAP
35	Nov. 14, 2025	NOTICE by Charlotte A. Burrows, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission of Resumption of Appropriations (Siler, Jacob) (Entered: 11/14/2025)	RECAP
36	Nov. 20, 2025	MOTION re 33 Order on Motion to Stay by Charlotte A. Burrows, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Siler, Jacob) (Entered: 11/20/2025)	RECAP
37	Nov. 20, 2025	MEMORANDUM in Support re 36 MOTION re 33 Order on Motion to Stay filed by Charlotte A. Burrows, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Siler, Jacob) (Entered: 11/20/2025)	RECAP
38	Nov. 21, 2025	ORDER by Magistrate Judge Clare R. Hochhalter granting 36 Motion to Lift Stay filed by Charlotte A. Burrows, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Scheduling Conference REset for 2/2/2026 at 10:30 AM by telephone before Magistrate Judge Clare R. Hochhalter. Defendants' response to 13 Motion for Partial Summary Judgment due by 1/30/2026. (Scheduling Conference previously set for 10/31/2025). (GW)	RECAP
	Nov. 21, 2025	Set/Reset Deadlines as to 13 MOTION for Partial Summary Judgment MOTION for Hearing . Responses due by 1/30/2026 (mf)
39	Jan. 8, 2026	MOTION to Stay and Agreement, Joint by All Parties, by Christian Employers Alliance. (Attachments: # 1 (Proposed Order)(Bowman, Matthew) Modified on 1/9/2026 to clarify attachment description. NEF regenerated. (bl). (Entered: 01/08/2026)	RECAP
40	Jan. 9, 2026	ORDER by Judge Daniel L. Hovland granting 39 Motion to Stay. (TP) (Entered: 01/09/2026)	RECAP
41	Jan. 28, 2026	MOTION Lift Stay in Part and Notice, Joint by All Parties by Charlotte A. Burrows, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Siler, Jacob) (Entered: 01/28/2026)	RECAP
42	Jan. 29, 2026	ORDER by Judge Daniel L. Hovland granting 41 Motion to Lift Stay in Part. (TP) (Entered: 01/29/2026)	RECAP
43	Feb. 1, 2026	(Text Only) ORDER: The scheduling conference on 2/2/2026 is cancelled. It shall be rescheduled as necessary at a later date. By Magistrate Judge Clare R. Hochhalter (BG) (Entered: 02/01/2026)	RECAP
44	March 2, 2026	STATUS REPORT, Joint by Charlotte A. Burrows, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Siler, Jacob) (Entered: 03/02/2026)	RECAP
45	March 3, 2026	ORDER by Judge Daniel L. Hovland granting parties' request to file additional joint status report as requested in 44 Status Report filed by Charlotte A. Burrows and United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Joint status report due on or before 4/16/2026. (TP) (Entered: 03/03/2026)	RECAP
	March 3, 2026	Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 4/16/2026. (mf)
46	April 9, 2026	STATUS REPORT by Charlotte A. Burrows, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Siler, Jacob) (Entered: 04/09/2026)	RECAP
47	April 10, 2026	ORDER by Judge Daniel L. Hovland granting parties' request to file additional joint status report as requested in 46 Status Report filed by Charlotte A. Burrows and United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Joint status report due on or before 5/18/2026. (TP) (Entered: 04/10/2026)	RECAP
	April 13, 2026	Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 5/18/2026. (jb)
48	May 19, 2026	STATUS REPORT by Charlotte A. Burrows, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Siler, Jacob) (Entered: 05/19/2026)	RECAP
49	May 21, 2026	ORDER by Judge Daniel L. Hovland granting parties' request to file additional joint status report as requested in 48 Status Report filed by Charlotte A. Burrows and United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Joint status report due on or before 6/26/2026. (TP) (Entered: 05/21/2026)	RECAP
	May 21, 2026	Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 6/26/2026. (ap)

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Case Details

State / Territory:

North Dakota

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations Involving the Government

Transgender Rights

Trump Administration 2.0: Reversing Course on Existing Litigation

Transgender Rights

Key Dates

Filing Date: Jan. 15, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The Christian Employers Alliance is an organization which represents Christian-owned businesses.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit religious organization

Attorney Organizations:

Alliance Defending Freedom

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Ex Parte Young (Federal) or Bivens

Constitutional Clause(s):

Freedom of speech/association

Free Exercise Clause

Separation of Powers

Other Dockets:

District of North Dakota 1:25-cv-00007

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Relief Granted:

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Discrimination Area:

Accommodation / Leave

Disparate Treatment

Harassment / Hostile Work Environment

Discrimination Basis:

Gender identity

Sex discrimination

Affected Religion(s):

Christianity

Affected Sex/Gender(s):

LGBTQ+:

Reproductive rights:

Abortion

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of Christian Employers Alliance v. United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/46040/ (last updated 12/17/2025).