Case: Etienne v. Ferguson

3:25-cv-05461 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Filed Date: May 29, 2025

Closed Date: Oct. 14, 2025

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case challenged a Washington state law, SB 5375, which required priests to report any suspected child abuse or neglect disclosed by penitents in confession. Confession is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church and has been an integral part of its theology for two millennia. "Eternal damnation" and automatic excommunication from the Catholic Church await any priest who breaks the confidentiality of confession. Washington's three Catholic dioceses already mandated reporting for s…

This case challenged a Washington state law, SB 5375, which required priests to report any suspected child abuse or neglect disclosed by penitents in confession. Confession is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church and has been an integral part of its theology for two millennia. "Eternal damnation" and automatic excommunication from the Catholic Church await any priest who breaks the confidentiality of confession.

Washington's three Catholic dioceses already mandated reporting for suspected child abuse and neglect, beyond the requirements of state law, with the sole exception of information learned exclusively via confession. Plaintiffs alleged the new state law violated the First Amendment, the Equal Protection Clause, and the Washington Constitution.

Represented by Wilmer Hale and the Becket Fund for religious liberty, plaintiffs, eleven Catholic archbishops and priests, filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington on May 29, 2025. The lawsuit named the Governor and Attorney General of the state of Washington and every County Prosecuting Attorney in the state as defendants. Plaintiffs sought a declaration that the state law was unconstitutional, a preliminary and permanent injunction against the criminal investigation of Catholic priests under the law, and attorneys' fees. The case was assigned to Judge David G. Estudillo.

The United States moved to intervene in this case as a plaintiff on June 23, 2025. The court granted the motion to intervene on July 15, 2025, reserving for a later date its ruling on the scope of relief the United States was entitled to seek. The United States filed a motion for a preliminary injunction, separate from plaintiffs' earlier motion for the same, on June 25, 2025.

On July 18, 2025, the court granted plaintiffs' (not the United States') motion for a preliminary injunction. 2025 WL 2022101. The court found that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on their claims that SB 5375 violated the Free Exercise Clause, as it burdened plaintiffs' exercise of their Catholic faith and because it modified existing law solely for clergy as opposed to secular mandated reporters. Further, the court found that the law failed strict scrutiny, as Washington could have followed the less restrictive example of 25 other states in making Catholic clergymen mandated reporters while excluding information learned solely from confession from reporting duties.

The court declined to reach plaintiffs' Church Autonomy Doctrine and Establishment Clause claims. Defendants were thus enjoined from enforcing SB 5375 as to the sacrament of confession across all three of Washington's Catholic dioceses. (Plaintiffs did not seek, and the court did not grant, injunctive relief to faiths other than Catholicism.)

On July 23, 2025, the United States withdrew its motion for a preliminary injunction without prejudice (thereby allowing it to refile the motion in the future if necessary). The United States acted upon express assurances by defendants that if the court granted preliminary relief to plaintiffs, which it did, defendants would not seek to enforce SB 5375 "as [applied] to confession or sacred confidences shared with any clergy" for the duration of preliminary relief. 

In a similar case, Orthodox Church in America v. Ferguson, No. 2:25-cv-01537-DGE, the plaintiffs filed a motion to consolidate their case with this one, arguing that the cased raised common issues of fact or law, and because “ consolidation would allow them to participate in any appeal of the Court’s order granting Plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction in the Etienne case.” The court directed the Etienne plaintiffs, who opposed consolidation to show cause as to why the cases should not be consolidated.

On September 10, 2025, the court entered an order granting the Etienne plaintiffs’ stipulated motion suspending their deadline to show cause as to why the Etienne Action and the Orthodox Church Action should not be consolidated. 

The parties filed a joint stipulated motion to enter permanent injunction and final judgment in the matter on October 10, 2025. The parties sought to make permanent the court’s July 18 preliminary injunction by permanently enjoining Defendants (both the State and County Prosecutors) from “enforcing RCW § 26.44.030 (2025), as to the Catholic Sacrament of Confession and/or any other privileged communication under RCW § 5.60.060(3).” The Defendants agree to not appeal or otherwise challenge the enforceability or validity of the Stipulated Permanent Injunction and Final Judgement.

On October 14, 2025, the court entered final judgement in the case pursuant to the joint stipulated motion. The court found that SB 5375 infringed Plaintiff’s free exercise of religion in violation of the First Amendment and “there are serious questions going to the merits” as to whether it infringes Plaintiffs’ rights under the Establishment Clause and the Church Autonomy Doctrine. In light of these findings, the court entered a permanent injunction against the enforcement of SB 5375 as to the Catholic Sacrament of Confession and/or any other privileged communication within the clergy. Per the stipulation, the parties agree not to appeal from or challenge the enforceability of the Court’s Stipulated Permanent Injunction Order and Final Judgment.

The case is closed. 

 

Summary Authors

Matt Petrillo (7/28/2025)

Madena Mustafa (11/2/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70398537/parties/etienne-v-ferguson/


Attorney for Plaintiff
Attorney for Defendant

Aruiza, Anna Katherine (Washington)

Aultman, Jeffrey J (Washington)

Bailey, David Edward (Washington)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Anmahouni, Varant (Washington)

Barrios, Jaime R. (Washington)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

3:25-cv-05461

Plaintiffs' Complaint

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

Complaint
65

3:25-cv-05461

Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction

June 5, 2025

June 5, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief
122

3:25-cv-05461

United States' Motion to Intervene

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief
138

3:25-cv-05461

United States' Motion for Preliminary Injunction

June 25, 2025

June 25, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief
227

3:25-cv-05461

Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Order/Opinion

2025 WL 2022101

245

3:25-cv-05461

Stipulated Motion to Suspend Deadline regarding Orthodox Church Plaintiffs' Motion to Consolidate and Order

Sept. 10, 2025

Sept. 10, 2025

Order/Opinion
249

3:25-cv-05461

Stipulated Motion to Enter Permanent Injunction and Final Judgment and [Proposed] Order

Oct. 10, 2025

Oct. 10, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70398537/etienne-v-ferguson/

Last updated Nov. 6, 2025, 3:54 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
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COMPLAINT against All Defendants (Receipt # AWAWDC-9001160) Attorney William J Crowley added to party Thomas A. Daly(pty:pla), Attorney William J Crowley added to party Eusebio L. Elizondo(pty:pla), Attorney William J Crowley added to party Paul D. Etienne(pty:pla), Attorney William J Crowley added to party Michael Kelly(pty:pla), Attorney William J Crowley added to party Gary F. Lazzeroni(pty:pla), Attorney William J Crowley added to party Jesus Mariscal(pty:pla), Attorney William J Crowley added to party Lutakome Nsubuga(pty:pla), Attorney William J Crowley added to party Robert Pearson(pty:pla), Attorney William J Crowley added to party Frank R. Schuster(pty:pla), Attorney William J Crowley added to party Joseph J. Tyson(pty:pla), Attorney William J Crowley added to party Gary M. Zender(pty:pla) filed by Gary M. Zender, Joseph J. Tyson, Paul D. Etienne, Jesus Mariscal, Michael Kelly, Gary F. Lazzeroni, Thomas A. Daly, Lutakome Nsubuga, Robert Pearson, Frank R. Schuster, Eusebio L. Elizondo. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(Crowley, William) (Attachment 1 replaced on 5/30/2025 due to malformed PDF) (CDA). (Entered: 05/29/2025)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

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May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

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APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Laura Wolk Slavis FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for All Plaintiffs (Fee Paid) Receipt No. AWAWDC-9002225 (Crowley, William) (Entered: 05/29/2025)

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

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ORDER re 5 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice, 8 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice, 10 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice, 7 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. The Court ADMITS Attorneys William J. Haun, Robert Kingsley Smith, Eric Rassbach, and Laura Wolk Slavis for Plaintiffs Thomas A Daly, Eusebio L Elizondo, Paul D Etienne, Michael Kelly, Gary F Lazzeroni, Jesus Mariscal, Lutakome Nsubuga, Robert Pearson, Frank R Schuster, Joseph J Tyson, and Gary M Zender, by Clerk Ravi Subramanian. No document associated with this docket entry, text only.NOTE TO COUNSEL: Local counsel agrees to sign all filings and to be prepared to handle the matter, including the trial thereof, in the event the applicant is unable to be present on any date scheduled by the court, pursuant to LCR 83.1(d).(KB) (Entered: 05/29/2025)

May 29, 2025

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PRAECIPE to attach document (Corrected Page 3) re 9 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice by All Plaintiffs (Crowley, William) (Entered: 05/29/2025)

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ORDER re 3 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice, 2 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice, 9 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice, 4 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. The Court ADMITS Attorneys Leah Fugere, Donna Farag, Mark Rienzi, and Matthew T. Martens for Plaintiffs Thomas A Daly, Eusebio L Elizondo, Paul D Etienne, Michael Kelly, Gary F Lazzeroni, Jesus Mariscal, Lutakome Nsubuga, Robert Pearson, Frank R Schuster, Joseph J Tyson, and Gary M Zender, by Clerk Ravi Subramanian. No document associated with this docket entry, text only.NOTE TO COUNSEL: Local counsel agrees to sign all filings and to be prepared to handle the matter, including the trial thereof, in the event the applicant is unable to be present on any date scheduled by the court, pursuant to LCR 83.1(d).(KB) (Entered: 05/29/2025)

May 29, 2025

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APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Donna Farag FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for All Plaintiffs (Fee Paid) Receipt No. AWAWDC-9002053 (Crowley, William) (Entered: 05/29/2025)

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APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Leah Fugere FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for All Plaintiffs (Fee Paid) Receipt No. AWAWDC-9002068 (Crowley, William) (Entered: 05/29/2025)

May 29, 2025

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APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Matthew T. Martens FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for All Plaintiffs (Fee Paid) Receipt No. AWAWDC-9002086 (Crowley, William) (Entered: 05/29/2025)

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

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APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Robert Kingsley Smith FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for All Plaintiffs (Fee Paid) Receipt No. AWAWDC-9002095 (Crowley, William) (Entered: 05/29/2025)

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

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APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Zachary Halpern FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for All Plaintiffs (Fee Paid) Receipt No. AWAWDC-9002105 (Crowley, William) (Entered: 05/29/2025)

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

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APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY William J. Haun FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for All Plaintiffs (Fee Paid) Receipt No. AWAWDC-9002147 (Crowley, William) (Entered: 05/29/2025)

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

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APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Eric C. Rassbach FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for All Plaintiffs (Fee Paid) Receipt No. AWAWDC-9002172 (Crowley, William) (Entered: 05/29/2025)

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

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APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Mark L. Rienzi FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for All Plaintiffs (Fee Paid) Receipt No. AWAWDC-9002184 (Crowley, William) (Entered: 05/29/2025)

May 29, 2025

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Order on Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

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Notice to PHV and Local Counsel Unable to Process Application

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Add and Terminate Judges

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Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice 9 by attorney Mark L. Rienzi will not be processed at this time. The pro hac vice attorney's full Primary E-mail Address must be listed on page 3 of the application. To correct this, file a corrected page 3 only using the Praecipe to Attach Document event located under Other Filings, Other Documents. Contact the Attorney Admissions Clerk at 206-370-8400 or WAWD_Admissions@wawd.uscourts.gov with additional questions. (Ad hoc Attorney Mark L. Rienzi) (KB)

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice 3, Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice 2, Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice 4, Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice 6 by attorneys Donna Farag, Leah Fugere, Matthew T. Martens, and Zachary Halpern will not be processed at this time. The Pro Hac attorneys must each submit a Pro Hac Vice access request via Manage My Account on PACER, under the Maintenance tab. See page 2 of the Pro Hac Vice Application Guide for detailed instructions. Please contact the Attorney Admissions Clerk at 206-370-8400 or WAWD_Admissions@wawd.uscourts.gov with additional questions. (Ad hoc Attorney Donna Farag, Leah Fugere, Matthew T. Martens, and Zachary Halpern) (KB)

May 29, 2025

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U.S. District Judge David G Estudillo added. (MDH)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - GABE ACOSTA by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - TY ALBERTSON by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - GREGORY BANKS by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - DAN BIGELOW by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - NICHOLAS W. BROWN by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - JOSEPH BRUSIC by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - JASON CUMMINGS by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - MICHAEL DORCY by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - GORDON EDGAR by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - ERIC EISINGER by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - CHAD ENRIGHT by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - ROBERT W. FERGUSON by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - RANDY FLYCKT by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - ERIKA GEORGE by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - MICHAEL GOLDEN by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - TONY GOLIK by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - LARRY HASKELL by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - DOLLY HUNT by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - RYAN JURVAKAINEN by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - JAMES KENNEDY by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - ADAM KICK by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - CURT LIEDKIE by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - ALBERT LIN by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - LEESA MANION by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - KEVIN McCRAE by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - JONATHAN MEYER by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - MATTHEW NEWBERG by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - MARK NICHOLS by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - DAVID QUESNEL by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - ERIC RICHEY by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - MARY ROBNETT by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - MICHAEL ROTHMAN by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - SHAWN SANT by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - ROBERT SEALBY by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - DALE SLACK by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - NORMA TILLOTSON by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - DENIS TRACY by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - JON TUNHEIM by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - AMY VIRA by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - RICH WEYRICH by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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PRAECIPE TO ISSUE SUMMONS - GREGORY ZEMPEL by All Plaintiffs (Smith, Robert) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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ORDER re 6 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. The Court ADMITS Attorney Zachary Halpern for All Plaintiffs, by Clerk Ravi Subramanian. No document associated with this docket entry, text only.NOTE TO COUNSEL: Local counsel agrees to sign all filings and to be prepared to handle the matter, including the trial thereof, in the event the applicant is unable to be present on any date scheduled by the court, pursuant to LCR 83.1(d).(CDA) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

May 30, 2025

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Summons(es) Electronically Issued as to defendant(s) Gabe Acosta, Ty Albertson, Gregory Banks, Dan Bigelow, Nicholas W Brown, Joseph Brusic, Jason Cummings, Michael Dorcy, Gordon Edgar, Eric Eisinger, Chad Enright, Robert W Ferguson, Randy Flyckt, Erika George, Michael Golden, Tony Golik, Larry Haskell, Dolly Hunt, Ryan Jurvakainen, James Kennedy, Adam Kick, Curt Liedkie, Albert Lin, Leesa Manion, Kevin McCrae, Jonathan Meyer, Matthew Newberg, Mark Nichols, David Quesnel, Eric Richey, Mary Robnett, Michael Rothman, Shawn Sant, Robert Sealby, Dale Slack, Norma Tillotson, Denis Tracy, Jon Tunheim, Amy Vira, Rich Weyrich, Gregory Zempel (Attachments: # 1 Summons, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons, # 5 Summons, # 6 Summons, # 7 Summons, # 8 Summons, # 9 Summons, # 10 Summons, # 11 Summons, # 12 Summons, # 13 Summons, # 14 Summons, # 15 Summons, # 16 Summons, # 17 Summons, # 18 Summons, # 19 Summons, # 20 Summons, # 21 Summons, # 22 Summons, # 23 Summons, # 24 Summons, # 25 Summons, # 26 Summons, # 27 Summons, # 28 Summons, # 29 Summons, # 30 Summons, # 31 Summons, # 32 Summons, # 33 Summons, # 34 Summons, # 35 Summons, # 36 Summons, # 37 Summons, # 38 Summons, # 39 Summons, # 40 Summons)(MDH) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Christopher Motz FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for All Plaintiffs (Fee Paid) Receipt No. AWAWDC-9004814 (Crowley, William) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Hiram S. Sasser, III FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for All Plaintiffs (Fee Paid) Receipt No. AWAWDC-9004826 (Crowley, William) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

May 30, 2025

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APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Jeremiah Grant Dys FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for All Plaintiffs (Fee Paid) Receipt No. AWAWDC-9004834 (Crowley, William) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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ORDER re 59 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice, 57 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice, 58 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. The Court ADMITS Attorneys Christopher Motz,Hiram Sasser,Jeremiah G Dys for All Plaintiffs by Clerk Ravi Subramanian. No document associated with this docket entry, text only.NOTE TO COUNSEL: Local counsel agrees to sign all filings and to be prepared to handle the matter, including the trial thereof, in the event the applicant is unable to be present on any date scheduled by the court, pursuant to LCR 83.1(d).(CDA) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

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Order on Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

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NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Emma S Grunberg on behalf of Defendants Nicholas W Brown, Robert W Ferguson. (Grunberg, Emma) (Entered: 06/04/2025)

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NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Alicia O Young on behalf of Defendants Nicholas W Brown, Robert W Ferguson. (Young, Alicia) (Entered: 06/04/2025)

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NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Kelly A. Paradis on behalf of Defendants Nicholas W Brown, Robert W Ferguson. (Paradis, Kelly) (Entered: 06/04/2025)

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NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Siddharth Velamoor on behalf of Plaintiffs Thomas A Daly, Eusebio L Elizondo, Paul D Etienne, Michael Kelly, Gary F Lazzeroni, Jesus Mariscal, Lutakome Nsubuga, Robert Pearson, Frank R Schuster, Joseph J Tyson, Gary M Zender. (Velamoor, Siddharth) (Entered: 06/05/2025)

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MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, filed by All Plaintiffs. Oral Argument Requested. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order - Proposed Order) Noting Date 7/7/2025 7/3/2025, (Velamoor, Siddharth) Modified Noting date per 91 order on 6/16/2025 (MDH). (Entered: 06/05/2025)

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DECLARATION of Matthew T. Martens filed by All Plaintiffs re 65 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1-7)(Velamoor, Siddharth) (Entered: 06/05/2025)

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DECLARATION of Eusebio L. Elizondo filed by All Plaintiffs re 65 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Velamoor, Siddharth) (Entered: 06/05/2025)

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DECLARATION of Frank R. Schuster filed by All Plaintiffs re 65 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Velamoor, Siddharth) (Entered: 06/05/2025)

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DECLARATION of Gary F. Lazzeroni filed by All Plaintiffs re 65 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Velamoor, Siddharth) (Entered: 06/05/2025)

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DECLARATION of Gary M. Zender filed by All Plaintiffs re 65 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Velamoor, Siddharth) (Entered: 06/05/2025)

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DECLARATION of Jesus Mariscal filed by All Plaintiffs re 65 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Velamoor, Siddharth) (Entered: 06/05/2025)

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72

DECLARATION of Joseph J. Tyson filed by All Plaintiffs re 65 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Velamoor, Siddharth) (Entered: 06/05/2025)

June 5, 2025

June 5, 2025

RECAP
73

DECLARATION of Lutakome Nsubuga filed by All Plaintiffs re 65 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Velamoor, Siddharth) (Entered: 06/05/2025)

June 5, 2025

June 5, 2025

RECAP
74

DECLARATION of Michael Kelly filed by All Plaintiffs re 65 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Velamoor, Siddharth) (Entered: 06/05/2025)

June 5, 2025

June 5, 2025

RECAP
75

DECLARATION of Paul D. Etienne filed by All Plaintiffs re 65 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Velamoor, Siddharth) (Entered: 06/05/2025)

June 5, 2025

June 5, 2025

RECAP
76

DECLARATION of Robert Pearson filed by All Plaintiffs re 65 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Velamoor, Siddharth) (Entered: 06/05/2025)

June 5, 2025

June 5, 2025

RECAP
77

DECLARATION of Thomas A. Daly filed by All Plaintiffs re 65 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Velamoor, Siddharth) (Entered: 06/05/2025)

June 5, 2025

June 5, 2025

RECAP
78

NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Anna Katherine Aruiza on behalf of Defendant Chad Enright. (Aruiza, Anna) (Entered: 06/10/2025)

June 10, 2025

June 10, 2025

79

NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Katherine A Cummings on behalf of Defendant Chad Enright. (Cummings, Katherine) (Entered: 06/10/2025)

June 10, 2025

June 10, 2025

80

DECLARATION of Service for Governor of the State of Washington Robert Ferguson by All Plaintiffs (Velamoor, Siddharth) (Entered: 06/11/2025)

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

RECAP
81

WAIVER OF SERVICE of Summons upon defendant Jason Cummings mailed on 6/9/2025 (Velamoor, Siddharth) (Entered: 06/11/2025)

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

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82

WAIVER OF SERVICE of Summons upon defendant Larry Haskell mailed on 6/10/2025 (Velamoor, Siddharth) (Entered: 06/11/2025)

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

Notice of Hearing on Motion

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

NOTICE of Hearing re 65 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction: Motion Hearing set for 7/14/2025 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom B before U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo. (MGC)

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

83

NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Amanda Marie Migchelbrink on behalf of Defendant Tony Golik. (Migchelbrink, Amanda) (Entered: 06/12/2025)

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

84

WAIVER OF SERVICE of Summons upon defendant Tony Golik mailed on 6/12/2025 (Migchelbrink, Amanda) (Entered: 06/12/2025)

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

85

NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Scott Alan Marlow on behalf of Defendant Jason Cummings. (Marlow, Scott) (Entered: 06/12/2025)

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

86

NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Rachel Kiana Stanley on behalf of Defendants Erika George, Curt Liedkie. (Stanley, Rachel) (Entered: 06/13/2025)

June 13, 2025

June 13, 2025

87

NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Michael E McFarland, Jr on behalf of Defendants Erika George, Curt Liedkie. (McFarland, Michael) (Entered: 06/13/2025)

June 13, 2025

June 13, 2025

88

NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Georgia A Stearns on behalf of Defendant Norma Tillotson. (Stearns, Georgia) (Entered: 06/13/2025)

June 13, 2025

June 13, 2025

89

NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Philip Carl Hunsucker on behalf of Defendant James Kennedy. (Hunsucker, Philip) (Entered: 06/13/2025)

June 13, 2025

June 13, 2025

90

STIPULATION AND PROPOSED ORDER to Re-Note Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Extend Deadlines by parties (Velamoor, Siddharth) (Entered: 06/13/2025)

June 13, 2025

June 13, 2025

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91

ORDER GRANTING STIPULATED MOTION TO RE-NOTE MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION AND EXTEND DEADLINES. The Court GRANTS the Stipulated Motion to Re-Note Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction (Dkt. 65 ) (Motion) and to Extend Deadlines. The noting date for Plaintiffs' Motion and the Parties filing deadlines shall be amended as follows: Noting Date for Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunctiondue July 7, 2025. State Defendants' Deadline to File and Serve Opposition to Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction due June 30, 2025. Plaintiffs' Deadline to File and Serve Reply Papers in Support of Motion for Preliminary Injunction due July 7, 2025. State Defendants' Deadline to Respond to Complaint due 21 days after Courts ruling on Plaintiffs Motion for Preliminary Injunction (Dkt. 65 ). Signed by U.S. District Judge David G Estudillo. (MDH) (Entered: 06/16/2025)

June 16, 2025

June 16, 2025

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory:

Washington

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

Child Welfare

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations Involving the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: May 29, 2025

Closing Date: Oct. 14, 2025

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Eleven Catholic archbishops and priests in the U.S. state of Washington.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

The State of Washington (Olympia, Thurston), State

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Ex parte Young (federal or state officials)

Constitutional Clause(s):

Equal Protection

Free Exercise Clause

Other Dockets:

Western District of Washington 3:25-cv-05461

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Relief Granted:

Preliminary injunction / Temp. restraining order

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Content of Injunction:

Preliminary relief granted

State Statute Struck Down

Issues

General/Misc.:

Confidentiality

Incident/accident reporting & investigations

Juveniles