Case: In Re: Administrative Subpoena No. 25-1431-019

1:25-mc-91324 | U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Filed Date: July 8, 2025

Closed Date: Sept. 9, 2025

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

This case challenges a subpoena requiring Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) to turn over records of minor transgender patients who sought gender-affirming care. BCH sued to quash the subpoena, arguing that it was issued for an improper purpose and was overly burdensome in its intrusion into patient privacy. Shortly after he took office, on January 20, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14187, "Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation,” which attacked the practice of pr…

This case challenges a subpoena requiring Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) to turn over records of minor transgender patients who sought gender-affirming care. BCH sued to quash the subpoena, arguing that it was issued for an improper purpose and was overly burdensome in its intrusion into patient privacy.

Shortly after he took office, on January 20, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14187, "Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation,” which attacked the practice of prescribing gender-affirming treatments, including cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers, to minor patients. This EO, and subsequent memorandum issued by Attorney General Pam Bondi, authorized the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate healthcare providers for allegedly false statements about the safety and efficacy of puberty blockers and hormonal medications and violations of laws against female genital mutilation. 

On June 11, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued an administrative subpoena to BCH, seeking documentation regarding their gender dysphoria treatment practices, including the personal health information of minor patients. On July 8, BCH brought suit in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, seeking to quash the subpoena. They argued that it lacked relationship to a legitimate purpose and that it was overly broad and invasive in scope. They also sought leave to proceed under seal in order to protect the sensitive information involved.

The case was assigned to Judge Myong J. Joun. On September 9, 2025, Judge Joun issued an order quashing the subpoena. He found that it was issued for an improper purpose and was primarily intended to interfere with the provision of gender-affirming care, rather than protecting consumer health and safety. However, he did not grant the motion to seal documents related to the case. Since the only issues in the case were now resolved, Judge Joun also entered an order to dismiss.

Summary Authors

Taite Puhala (9/24/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71301301/parties/in-re-administrative-subpoena-no-25-1431-019/


Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Blais, Brian R. (Massachusetts)

Boynton, Brian M (Massachusetts)

Goldstein, Ross S. (Massachusetts)

Hallward-Driemeier, Douglas (Massachusetts)

Levy, Joshua S. (Massachusetts)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
3

1:25-mc-91324

[Untitled]

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

33

1:25-mc-91324

Memorandum & Order AND ~Util - Terminate Motions

Sept. 9, 2025

Sept. 9, 2025

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71301301/in-re-administrative-subpoena-no-25-1431-019/

Last updated Oct. 17, 2025, 1:16 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

ELECTRONIC NOTICE of Case Assignment. Judge Myong J. Joun assigned to case. (LB) (Entered: 07/08/2025)

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

PACER
10

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Brian Boynton by The Children's Hospital Corporation. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Brian Boynton) (LB) (Entered: 07/08/2025)

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

PACER
11

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Boyd Johnson by The Children's Hospital Corporation. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Boyd Johnson)(LB) (Entered: 07/08/2025)

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

PACER
12

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Alan Schoenfeld by The Children's Hospital Corporation. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Alan Schoenfeld) (LB) (Entered: 07/08/2025)

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

PACER
2

MOTION to Seal Case by The Children's Hospital Corporation.(LB) (Entered: 07/08/2025)

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

RECAP
3

MOTION to Quash by The Children's Hospital Corporation.(LB) (Entered: 07/08/2025)

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Clearinghouse
4

MEMORANDUM in Support re 3 MOTION to Quash filed by The Children's Hospital Corporation. (LB) (Entered: 07/08/2025)

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

RECAP
5

DECLARATION of Amanda Masselam Strachan by The Children's Hospital Corporation. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1)(LB) (Entered: 07/08/2025)

1 Exhibit 1

View on RECAP

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

RECAP
6

NOTICE of Appearance by Joshua S. Levy on behalf of The Children's Hospital Corporation. (LB) (Entered: 07/08/2025)

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

PACER
7

NOTICE of Appearance by Douglas Hallward-Driemeier on behalf of The Children's Hospital Corporation. (LB) (Entered: 07/08/2025)

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

PACER
8

NOTICE of Appearance by Brian R. Blais on behalf of The Children's Hospital Corporation. (LB) (Entered: 07/08/2025)

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

PACER
9

NOTICE of Appearance by Amanda P. Strachan on behalf of The Children's Hospital Corporation. (LB) (Entered: 07/08/2025)

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

PACER
13

Filing fee/payment processed: $52, receipt number 100012291 for Miscellaneous filing fee. (EZG) (Entered: 07/10/2025)

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

PACER
14

Filing fee/payment processed: $125, receipt number 100012292 for 10 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Brian Boynton. (EZG) (Entered: 07/10/2025)

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

PACER
15

Filing fee/payment processed: $125, receipt number 100012293 for 11 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Boyd Johnson. (EZG) (Entered: 07/10/2025)

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

PACER
16

Filing fee/payment processed: $125, receipt number 100012294 for 12 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Alan Schoenfeld. (EZG) (Entered: 07/10/2025)

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

PACER
17

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 10 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Brian M. Boynton. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (EZG) (Entered: 07/10/2025)

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

PACER
18

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 11 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Boyd Johnson. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (EZG) (Entered: 07/10/2025)

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

PACER
19

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 12 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Alan Schoenfeld. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (EZG) (Entered: 07/10/2025)

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

PACER
20

Opposition re 2 MOTION to Seal Case filed by United States Department Of Justice. (SP) (Entered: 07/23/2025)

July 23, 2025

July 23, 2025

RECAP
21

RESPONSE to Motion re 3 MOTION to Quash filed by United States Department Of Justice. (SP) (Entered: 07/23/2025)

July 23, 2025

July 23, 2025

RECAP
22

ELECTRONIC NOTICE Setting Hearing on Motion 2 Motion to Seal Case, 3 Motion to Quash : A Motion Hearing is set for 8/27/2025 at 11:00 a.m. in Courtroom 20 (In person only) before Judge Myong J. Joun. (SKY) (Entered: 07/24/2025)

July 24, 2025

July 24, 2025

PACER
23

Motion for Leave to File Reply to the Government's Opposition to its Motion to Seal by The Children's Hospital Corporation. (Attachments: # 1 Reply in support of motion to seal)(SKY) (Entered: 07/30/2025)

July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025

PACER
24

Motion for Leave to File Reply to the Government's Response to its Motion to Quash by The Children's Hospital Corporation. (Attachments: # 1 Reply in support of motion to quash)(SKY) (Entered: 07/30/2025)

July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025

PACER
25

Judge Myong J. Joun: ORDER entered GRANTING 23 Motion for Leave to File Reply to the Government's Opposition to its Motion to Seal. (SKY) (Entered: 08/05/2025)

Aug. 5, 2025

Aug. 5, 2025

PACER
26

Reply to 20 Opposition re 2 Motion to Seal Case filed by The Children's Hospital Corporation. (SKY) (Entered: 08/05/2025)

Aug. 5, 2025

Aug. 5, 2025

RECAP
27

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 24 Motion for Leave to File Reply to the Government's Response to its Motion to Quash. (SKY) (Entered: 08/05/2025)

Aug. 5, 2025

Aug. 5, 2025

PACER
28

Reply to 21 Response to 3 Motion to Quash filed by The Children's Hospital Corporation. (SKY) (Entered: 08/05/2025)

Aug. 5, 2025

Aug. 5, 2025

RECAP
29

Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before Judge Myong J. Joun: Motion Hearing held on 8/27/2025 re 2 Motion to Seal Case, 3 Motion to Quash filed. The Court heard arguments from the parties as to the pending motions and took the matter under advisement. (Court Reporter: Jamie Halpin at jkhhalpin@gmail.com.)(Attorneys present: Levy & Strachan for the petitioner; Runkle & Goldstein for the respondent.) (SKY) (Entered: 08/27/2025)

Aug. 27, 2025

Aug. 27, 2025

PACER
30

Transcript of Motion Hearing held on August 27, 2025, before Judge Myong J. Joun. Court Reporter Name and Contact Information: Jamie Halpin at jkhhalpin@gmail.com. (DRK) (Entered: 09/01/2025)

Sept. 1, 2025

Sept. 1, 2025

PACER
31

NOTICE is hereby given that an official transcript of a proceeding has been filed by the court reporter in the above-captioned matter. Counsel are referred to the Court's Transcript Redaction Policy, available on the court website at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/transcripts.htm (DRK) (Entered: 09/01/2025)

Sept. 1, 2025

Sept. 1, 2025

PACER
32

NOTICE by The Children's Hospital Corporation (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(SP) (Entered: 09/03/2025)

1 Exhibit A

View on RECAP

Sept. 3, 2025

Sept. 3, 2025

RECAP
33

Judge Myong J. Joun: ORDER entered. MEMORANDUM OF DECISION re 2 Motion to Seal Case, 3 Motion to Quash filed by The Children's Hospital Corporation. For the reasons explained in the attached memorandum of decision, Boston Children's Hospital's Motion to Seal [Doc. No 2 ] is DENIED and Motion to Quash [Doc. No. 3 ] is GRANTED. (SKY) (Entered: 09/09/2025)

Sept. 9, 2025

Sept. 9, 2025

Clearinghouse
34

Judge Myong J. Joun: ORDER entered. ORDER DISMISSING CASE. (SKY) (Entered: 09/09/2025)

Sept. 9, 2025

Sept. 9, 2025

RECAP
35

MOTION to Alter Judgment by United States Department Of Justice.(Runkle, Patrick) (Entered: 10/07/2025)

Oct. 7, 2025

Oct. 7, 2025

RECAP
36

MEMORANDUM in Support re 35 MOTION to Alter Judgment filed by United States Department Of Justice. (Runkle, Patrick) (Entered: 10/07/2025)

Oct. 7, 2025

Oct. 7, 2025

RECAP
37

AFFIDAVIT in Support re 35 MOTION to Alter Judgment filed by United States Department Of Justice. (Runkle, Patrick) (Entered: 10/07/2025)

Oct. 7, 2025

Oct. 7, 2025

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory: Massachusetts

Case Type(s):

Healthcare Access and Reproductive Issues

Healthcare Access and Reproductive Issues

Special Collection(s):

Transgender Healthcare Access Cases

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: July 8, 2025

Closing Date: Sept. 9, 2025

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Boston Children's Hospital

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Department of Justice (District of Columbia), Federal

Case Details

Special Case Type(s):

Warrant or subpoena application (or protection)

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Issues

Medical/Mental Health Care:

Gender-affirming care