Case: Seattle Children's Hospital v. United States Department of Justice

2:25-mc-00041 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Filed Date: July 8, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

On July 8, 2025, plaintiff Seattle Children's Hospital--a preeminent national juvenile healthcare provider--filed this motion in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington to modify or set aside a Department of Justice (DOJ) Subpoena which sought the medical records, billing information, personal identities, and family identities of every minor over the past five years who received gender-affirming care--approximately 3,1000 minor patients in total. The subpoena also sought personnel files of every doctor, nurse, and other healthcare provider who treated such patients. DOJ did not allege that plaintiffs violated any federal law, rather, DOJ served the subpoena pursuant to President Trump's Executive Order 14187, "Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation," because they knew plaintiffs provided gender-affirming care and thus "might" have relevant information. This Executive Order castigates gender-affirming care for minors and authorizes DOJ to investigate healthcare providers to ensure federal funds are not used for gender-affirming care to minors. Plaintiffs alleged that DOJ improperly issued the subpoena for partisan reasons, that seeking personnel files and patient information was an irrelevant fishing expedition, and that the subpoena was improperly issued under 18 U.S.C. § 3486, which confers authority to issue subpoenas only to the Attorney General. This motion is before U.S. District Judge John H. Chun.

Also on July 8, 2025, plaintiffs filed a motion to seal the docket, arguing that public disclosure would deter minors from seeking out crucial gender-affirming care.

On September 3, 2025, Judge Chun granted plaintiffs motion to quash the subpoena, holding that DOJ had not established a prima facie case that its subpoena was issued with a realistic expectation it would uncover information relevant to a federal healthcare offense. Judge Chun also granted plaintiffs' motion to seal the docket for the same reason, and because public disclosure would deter prospective and current minor patients from seeking gender-related care.

On October 1, 2025, DOJ filed a motion to alter or amend the September 3 judgment, arguing that the court erred in determining that DOJ was not investigating plaintiffs for a federal health care violation. Plaintiffs filed their response on October 16, 2025, arguing that DOJ had not identified any new facts in their motion.

On December 10, 2025, plaintiffs filed an unopposed motion to unseal the docket due to ongoing litigation in QueerDoc, PLLC v. U.S. Department of Justice, No. 2:25-mc-42 (W.D. Wash. Oct. 27, 2025). DOJ appealed on an expedited basis to the Ninth Circuit in QueerDoc, and absent unsealing the docket, the Ninth Circuit would be unaware of the Seattle Children's subpoena, these proceedings, and the order in this case. Furthermore, because of the way the proceedings developed, unsealing the docket would not identify any specific Seattle Children's patients, family members, or workforce members, but would allow Seattle Children's to augment their argument in QueerDoc. Judge Chun granted plaintiffs motion to unseal on December 11, 2025.

On January 28, 2026, plaintiffs filed a motion of supplemental authority, alerting Judge Chun that subpoenas in a similar case, In re 2025 Subpoena to Children's National Hospital, 2026 WL 160792, (D. Md. Jan. 21, 2026), were quashed.

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Nick Martire (2/9/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72027107/parties/seattle-childrens-hospital-v-united-states-department-of-justice/

Attorney for Plaintiff

Coopersmith, Jeffrey B (Washington)

Fogg, Steven W (Washington)

Hynds, Patrick (Washington)

Attorney for Defendant

Dahlquist, Scott B (Washington)

Goldstein, Ross S. (Washington)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Coopersmith, Jeffrey B (Washington)

Fogg, Steven W (Washington)

Hynds, Patrick (Washington)

Kinel, Dana B. (Washington)

Manning, Christopher Nicholas (Washington)

Saharia, Amy Mason (Washington)

Wicht, Jennifer Gourley (Washington)

Zinn, David Micheal (Washington)

Attorney for Defendant

Dahlquist, Scott B (Washington)

Goldstein, Ross S. (Washington)

Runkle, Patrick (Washington)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 2:25-mc-00041	Motion to Set Aside or Modify Supoena Seattle Children's Hospital v. Untied States Department of Justive	July 8, 2025	July 8, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief
25 2:25-mc-00041	Order Granting Motions to Set Aside Subpoena and to Seal Docket In Re: Subpoena Duces Tecum No. 2501431-016	Sept. 3, 2025	Sept. 3, 2025 Order/Opinion 2025 WL 3562151
29 2:25-mc-00041	Government's Motion to Alter or Amend the Judgment	Oct. 1, 2025	Oct. 1, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief
40 2:25-mc-00041	Seattle Children's Hospital's Notice of Supplemental Authority	Jan. 28, 2026	Jan. 28, 2026 Pleading / Motion / Brief
40 2:25-mc-00041	Seattle Children's Hospital's Notice of Supplemental Authority	Jan. 28, 2026	Jan. 28, 2026 Pleading / Motion / Brief

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72027107/seattle-childrens-hospital-v-united-states-department-of-justice/

Last updated Aug. 31, 2026, 3:35 a.m.

Docket for: Seattle Children's Hospital v. United States Department of Justice

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	July 8, 2025	MOTION to Set Aside or Modify Subpoena filed by Plaintiff Seattle Children's Hospital. Oral Argument and Evidentiary Hearing Requested. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 PROPOSED Order Motion to Set Aside or Modify Subpoena) Noting Date 7/30/2025. (MIH) (Main document and attachments 1-2 unsealed per order on 12/11/25) (RE) (Entered: 07/08/2025)	Clearinghouse
2	July 8, 2025	DECLARATION of Christopher Manning, Esq in re 1 MOTION Set Aside or Modify Subpoena (Attachments: # 1 Exhibits in Support of Declaration Including Subpoena)(MIH) (Main Document 2 and attachment 1 unsealed per order on 12/11/25) (RE). (Entered: 07/08/2025)	RECAP
3	July 8, 2025	DECLARATION of Jeffrey G Ojemann MD in re 1 MOTION to Set Aside or Modify Subpoena. (MIH) (Main Document 3 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 07/08/2025)	RECAP
4	July 8, 2025	MOTION to Seal Docket filed by Plaintiff Seattle Children's Hospital. (Attachments: # 1 PROPOSED Order to Seal) Noting Date 7/30/2025. (MIH) (Main Document 4 and attachment 1 unsealed per order on 12/11/25) (RE). (Entered: 07/08/2025) 1 PROPOSED Order to Seal View on PACER	RECAP
5	July 8, 2025	CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT identifying sole voting member Seattle Children's Healthcare System for Seattle Children's Hospital. Filed pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P 7.1(a)(1). Filed by Seattle Children's Hospital. (MIH) (Main Document 5 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 07/08/2025)	RECAP
	July 8, 2025	FILING FEE RECEIVED: $ 52.00, receipt number SEA 200007897. (RE)
6	July 9, 2025	LETTER to Filer re case number and Judge assignment. (MIH)(cc Attorney Jeffrey Coopersmith via USPS) (Main Document 6 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 07/09/2025)	RECAP
7	July 14, 2025	APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Dana B. Kinel FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for Plaintiff Seattle Children's Hospital, In Re Seattle Children's Hospital (Receipt No. SEA 200007951) (HH) (Main Document 7 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 07/14/2025)	RECAP
8	July 14, 2025	APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Patrick C. Hynds FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for Plaintiff Seattle Children's Hospital, In Re Seattle Children's Hospital (Receipt No. SEA 200007950) (HH) (Main Document 8 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 07/14/2025)	RECAP
9	July 14, 2025	APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY David M. Zinn FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for Plaintiff Seattle Children's Hospital, In Re Seattle Children's Hospital (Receipt No. Sea 200007954) (HH) (Main Document 9 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 07/14/2025)	RECAP
10	July 14, 2025	APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Jennifer Gourley Wicht FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for Plaintiff Seattle Children's Hospital, In Re Seattle Children's Hospital (Receipt No. Sea 200007955) (HH) (Main Document 10 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 07/14/2025)	RECAP
11	July 14, 2025	APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Amy Mason Saharia FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for Plaintiff Seattle Children's Hospital, In Re Seattle Children's Hospital (Receipt No. SEA 200007952) (HH) (Main Document 11 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 07/14/2025)	RECAP
12	July 14, 2025	APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Christopher Manning FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for Plaintiff Seattle Children's Hospital, In Re Seattle Children's Hospital (Receipt No. Sea 200007953) (HH) (Main Document 12 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 07/14/2025)	RECAP
13	July 14, 2025	ORDER re 8 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice, 12 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice, 7 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice, 10 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice, 9 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice, 11 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. The Court ADMITS Attorneys Dana B. Kinel,Patrick Hynds,David Micheal Zinn,Jennifer Gourley Wicht,Amy Mason Saharia, and Christopher Nicholas Manning for Plaintiff Seattle Children's Hospital, and Subpoena recipient Seattle Children's Hospital, 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). cc PHV attorneys and their local counsel via USPS. (HH) Modified to add method of notice on 7/30/2025 (HH). (Entered: 07/14/2025)	RECAP
14	July 17, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Scott B Dahlquist B. Scott on behalf of Defendant United States Department of Justice. (APH) Modified on 7/30/2025 to correct typo (CDA). (Main Document 14 replaced on 7/30/2025 with correct image) (CDA). (Main Document 14 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 07/17/2025)	RECAP
15	July 17, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Patrick R. Runkle on behalf of Defendant United States Department of Justice. (APH) (Main Document 15 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 07/17/2025)	RECAP
16	July 17, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Ross S Goldstein S. Ross on behalf of Defendant United States Department of Justice. (APH) Modified on 7/30/2025 correct typo (CDA). (Main Document 16 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 07/17/2025)	RECAP
17	July 17, 2025	RESPONSE, by Defendant United States Department of Justice, to 4 MOTION to Seal. (APH) (Main Document 17 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 07/17/2025)	RECAP
18	July 22, 2025	RESPONSE, by Defendant United States Department of Justice, to Plaintiff's 1 MOTION to Quash. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A) (APH) (Main Document 18 and attachment 1 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 07/23/2025) 1 Exhibit A View on RECAP	RECAP
19	July 25, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Steven W Fogg on behalf of Plaintiff Seattle Children's Hospital. (APH) (Main Document 19 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 07/28/2025)	RECAP
20	July 25, 2025	REPLY, filed by Plaintiff Seattle Children's Hospital, TO RESPONSE to 4 MOTION to Seal. (APH) (Main Document 20 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 07/28/2025)	RECAP
21	July 25, 2025	DECLARATION of Christopher N. Manning filed by Plaintiff Seattle Children's Hospital re 4 MOTION to Seal. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 23, # 2 Exhibit 24, # 3 Exhibit 25, # 4 Exhibit 26, # 5 Exhibit 27, # 6 Exhibit 28) (APH) (Main Document 21 and attachments 1-6 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 07/28/2025)	RECAP
22	July 28, 2025	REPLY, filed by Plaintiff Seattle Children's Hospital, TO RESPONSE to 1 MOTION to Quash (LH) (Main Document 22 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 07/30/2025)	RECAP
23	July 30, 2025	Notice of Filing Deficiency re 15 Notice of Appearance, 14 Notice of Appearance. *Action Required* Attorney Admission.See attached letter for more information and instructions. cc Attorneys via US Mail (including non-admitted attorneys Dahlquist and Runkle)(CDA) (Main Document 23 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 07/30/2025)	RECAP
24	Aug. 6, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Scott B Dahlquist on behalf of Defendant United States Department of Justice. (APH) (Main Document 24 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 08/06/2025)	RECAP
25	Sept. 3, 2025	ORDER granting Seattle Children's 4 Motion to Seal Docket and 1 MOTION to Set Aside or Modify Subpoena. Signed by Judge John H. Chun. (APH) (cc: all counsel via USPS) (Main Document 25 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 09/03/2025)	Clearinghouse
26	Sept. 3, 2025	GOVERNMENT'S NOTICE of Eastern District of Pennsylvania Order to Disclose Litigation ; filed by Defendant United States Department of Justice. (RE) (Main Document 26 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 09/04/2025)	RECAP
27	Sept. 23, 2025	GOVERNMENT'S UNOPPOSED MOTION for Limited Unsealing to Share Opinion in Camera with Sister Court, filed by Defendant United States Department of Justice. (Attachments: # 1 PROPOSED Order Granting Unopposed Motion for Partial Unsealing) Noting Date 9/23/2025. (RE) (Main Document 27 and attachment 1 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 09/23/2025)	RECAP
28	Sept. 24, 2025	ORDER granting Defendant's 27 UNOPPOSED MOTION for Limited Unsealing. Signed by Judge John H. Chun. (APH) (Main Document 28 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 09/25/2025)	RECAP
29	Oct. 1, 2025	GOVERNMENT'S MOTION to Alter or Amend the Judgment, filed by Defendant United States Department of Justice. (Attachments: # 1 PROPOSED Order Granting Motion to Alter or Amend the Judgment) Noting Date 10/22/2025. (RE) (Main Document 29 and attachment 1 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 10/01/2025) 1 PROPOSED Order Granting Motion to Alter or Amend the Judgment View on RECAP	Clearinghouse
30	Oct. 1, 2025	DECLARATION of Lisa Hsiao filed by Defendant United States Department of Justice re 29 Government's Motion to Alter or Amend the Judgment. (RE) (Main Document 30 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 10/01/2025)	RECAP
31	Oct. 16, 2025	SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL'S OPPOSITION to the Government's Motion to Alter or Amend the Judgment, filed by Plaintiff Seattle Children's Hospital, to 29 Government's Motion to Alter or Amend the Judgment. (RE) (Main Document 31 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 10/16/2025)	RECAP
32	Oct. 22, 2025	GOVERNMENT'S REPLY in Support of its Motion to Alter or Amend the Judgment, filed by Defendant United States Department of Justice re 29 Government's Motion to Alter or Amend the Judgment. (RE) (Main Document 32 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 10/22/2025)	RECAP
33	Oct. 22, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Patrick Runkle on behalf of Defendant United States Department of Justice. (RE) (Main Document 33 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 10/23/2025)	RECAP
34	Oct. 30, 2025	SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL'S NOTICE of Supplemental Authority, filed by Plaintiff/Movant Seattle Children's Hospital. (RE) (Main Document 34 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 10/31/2025)	RECAP
35	Nov. 14, 2025	GOVERNMENT'S NOTICE of Supplemental Authority, filed by Defendant United States Department of Justice. (RE) (Main Document 35 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 11/18/2025)	RECAP
36	Nov. 26, 2025	SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL'S NOTICE of Supplemental Authority, filed by Plaintiff Seattle Children's Hospital. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibits 1-3) (RE) (Main Document 36 and attachment 1 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 11/26/2025) 1 Exhibits 1-3 View on PACER	RECAP
37	Dec. 10, 2025	SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL'S MOTION to Unseal Docket, filed by Plaintiff Seattle Children's Hospital. (Attachments: # 1 PROPOSED Order Granting Seattle Children's Hospital's Motion to Unseal Docket) Noting Date 12/10/2025. (RE) (Main Document 37 and attachment 1 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 12/10/2025) 1 PROPOSED Order Granting Seattle Children's Hospital's Motion to Unsea View on PACER	RECAP
38	Dec. 11, 2025	ORDER Granting Seattle Children's Hospital's Motion to Unseal Docket re 37 MOTION to Unseal Docket. Having considered the records and files herein, and having determined that the requested relief is warranted, the Court, now, therefore, ORDERS that Seattle Children's Motion to Unseal Docket is GRANTED; FURTHER ORDERS that the Clerk unseal the docket in this action. Signed by Judge John H. Chun. (RE) (Main Document 38 unsealed per order on 12/11/2025) (RE). (Entered: 12/11/2025)	RECAP
39	Jan. 6, 2026	NOTICE of Supplemental Authority by Plaintiff Seattle Children's Hospital (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3)(Coopersmith, Jeffrey) (Entered: 01/06/2026) 1 Exhibit 1 View on RECAP 2 Exhibit 2 View on RECAP 3 Exhibit 3 View on RECAP	RECAP
40	Jan. 28, 2026	NOTICE of Supplemental Authority by Plaintiff Seattle Children's Hospital (Coopersmith, Jeffrey) (Entered: 01/28/2026)	Clearinghouse
41	March 9, 2026	NOTICE of Supplemental Authority by Plaintiff Seattle Children's Hospital, In Re Seattle Children's Hospital (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1)(Coopersmith, Jeffrey) (Entered: 03/09/2026) 1 Exhibit 1 View on RECAP	RECAP
42	April 23, 2026	ORDER denying the Government's 29 MOTION to Alter or Amend the Judgment. Signed by Judge John H. Chun. (APH) (Entered: 04/23/2026)	RECAP
43	June 19, 2026	NOTICE OF APPEAL to Ninth Circuit re 42 Order on Motion to Amend, 25 Order on Motion to Seal, Order on Motion to Quash, 38 Order on Motion to Unseal Document, by Defendant United States Department of Justice. No fee required- US Government Party (cc: USCA) (Runkle, Patrick) (Entered: 06/19/2026)	RECAP

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Washington

Case Type(s):

Privacy

Healthcare Access and Reproductive Issues

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: July 8, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Plaintiff is Seattle Children's Hospital

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Defendant Type(s):

Law-enforcement

Case Details

Other Dockets:

Western District of Washington 2:25-mc-00041

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Sought:

Stay of government action

Relief Granted:

Declaratory Judgment

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Issues

Medical/Mental Health Care:

Gender-affirming care

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of Seattle Children's Hospital v. United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47466/ (last updated 2/9/2026).