Case: MICKENS v. OGLETHORPE COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM

3:25-cv-00166 | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia

Filed Date: Oct. 20, 2025

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Case Summary

[This summary is temporary while we research the case]. On October 20, 2025, a teacher filed this suit against her school district, alleging that she was fired because of social media posts that were critical of the recently assassinated political commentator Charlie Kirk. The plaintiff alleged that her employer had no social media policy, and further, that teachers who publicly supported Kirk (such as through celebrating his birthday or wearing t-shirts memorializing him) were not subject to any consequences. The plaintiff alleged that her firing violated her First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.

Summary Authors

Madilynn O'Hara (1/7/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71701524/parties/mickens-v-oglethorpe-county-school-system/


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

BILLIPS, MATTHEW C (Georgia)

BOYD, SAMUEL TS (Georgia)

HILL, SOPHIA MIRE (Georgia)

Attorney for Defendant

KINSINGER, ELIZABETH F (Georgia)

PAUL, APARESH (Georgia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

No documents yet available via the Clearinghouse.

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71701524/mickens-v-oglethorpe-county-school-system/

Last updated Feb. 16, 2026, 1:25 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against All Defendants Fee paid: Receipt # AGAMDC-5082440, $405 filed by All Plaintiffs (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons Oglethorpe County School System, # 3 Summons Superintendent Beverly Levine, in her official capacity)(TAFELSKI, MICHAEL) (Entered: 10/20/2025)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

2 Summons Oglethorpe County School System

View on PACER

3 Summons Superintendent Beverly Levine, in her official capacity

View on PACER

Oct. 20, 2025

Oct. 20, 2025

RECAP
2

Summons Issued as to BEVERLY LEVINE, OGLETHORPE COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM. (Attachments: # 1 Summons - Superintendent Beverly Levine)(aen) (Entered: 10/21/2025)

1 Summons - Superintendent Beverly Levine

View on PACER

Oct. 21, 2025

Oct. 21, 2025

3

PETITION TO THE CLERK FOR ADMISSION TO PLEAD AND PRACTICE PRO HAC VICE on behalf of All Plaintiffs Attorney Admission Fee (Pro Hac Vice) paid by Receipt # AGAMDC-5083827, $100. LOCAL COUNSEL Name and Georgia Bar #: Michael J. Tafelski Ga. Bar No. 507007. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Good Standing)(RANU, NEILINDER) (Entered: 10/21/2025)

1 Certificate of Good Standing

View on PACER

Oct. 21, 2025

Oct. 21, 2025

4

Order granting Petition for Admission Pro Hac Vice (Petition Attached); Attorney Admission Fee Met by NEILINDER RANU. (aen) (Entered: 10/21/2025)

Oct. 21, 2025

Oct. 21, 2025

5

PETITION TO THE CLERK FOR ADMISSION TO PLEAD AND PRACTICE PRO HAC VICE on behalf of All Plaintiffs Attorney Admission Fee (Pro Hac Vice) paid by Receipt # AGAMDC-5083870, $100. LOCAL COUNSEL Name and Georgia Bar #: Michael J. Tafelski Ga. Bar No. 507007. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Good Standing)(HILL, SOPHIA) (Entered: 10/21/2025)

1 Certificate of Good Standing

View on PACER

Oct. 21, 2025

Oct. 21, 2025

NOTICE TO ATTORNEY SOPHIA MIRE HILL: Counsel is notified that they do not show in the court records that they meet the required attorney admissions policies of this court. If within 14 days of this notice all requirements, including the payment of Pro Hac Vice or admissions fees, have not been met, a show cause hearing will be scheduled. PLEASE BE ADVISED you will not receive electronic notification of electronic filings until you comply with the admissions requirements.(aen)

Oct. 21, 2025

Oct. 21, 2025

NOTICE TO ATTORNEY NEIL S RANU: Counsel is notified that they do not show in the court records that they meet the required attorney admissions policies of this court. If within 14 days of this notice all requirements, including the payment of Pro Hac Vice or admissions fees, have not been met, a show cause hearing will be scheduled. PLEASE BE ADVISED you will not receive electronic notification of electronic filings until you comply with the admissions requirements.(aen)

Oct. 21, 2025

Oct. 21, 2025

NOTICE TO ATTORNEY SAMUEL BOYD: Counsel is notified that they do not show in the court records that they meet the required attorney admissions policies of this court. If within 14 days of this notice all requirements, including the payment of Pro Hac Vice or admissions fees, have not been met, a show cause hearing will be scheduled. PLEASE BE ADVISED you will not receive electronic notification of electronic filings until you comply with the admissions requirements.(aen)

Oct. 21, 2025

Oct. 21, 2025

6

Order granting Petition for Admission Pro Hac Vice (Petition Attached); Attorney Admission Fee Met by SOPHIA MIRE HILL. (aen) (Entered: 10/22/2025)

Oct. 22, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

7

PETITION TO THE CLERK FOR ADMISSION TO PLEAD AND PRACTICE PRO HAC VICE on behalf of All Plaintiffs Attorney Admission Fee (Pro Hac Vice) paid by Receipt # AGAMDC-5091439, $100. LOCAL COUNSEL Name and Georgia Bar #: Michael J. Tafelski Ga. Bar No. 507007. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Good Standing)(BOYD, SAMUEL) (Entered: 10/30/2025)

Oct. 30, 2025

Oct. 30, 2025

8

Order granting Petition for Admission Pro Hac Vice (Petition Attached); Attorney Admission Fee Met by SAMUEL TS BOYD. (aen) (Entered: 10/30/2025)

Oct. 30, 2025

Oct. 30, 2025

9

WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed by MICHELLE MICKENS as to All Defendants. (BILLIPS, MATTHEW) (Entered: 11/21/2025)

Nov. 21, 2025

Nov. 21, 2025

10

NOTICE of Attorney Appearance by APARESH PAUL on behalf of All Defendants Attorney APARESH PAUL added to party OGLETHORPE COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM(pty:dft), Attorney APARESH PAUL added to party BEVERLY LEVINE(pty:dft)(PAUL, APARESH) (Entered: 11/25/2025)

Nov. 25, 2025

Nov. 25, 2025

11

NOTICE of Attorney Appearance by ELIZABETH F KINSINGER on behalf of OGLETHORPE COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM, BEVERLY LEVINE Attorney ELIZABETH F KINSINGER added to party OGLETHORPE COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM(pty:dft), Attorney ELIZABETH F KINSINGER added to party BEVERLY LEVINE(pty:dft)(KINSINGER, ELIZABETH) (Entered: 12/18/2025)

Dec. 18, 2025

Dec. 18, 2025

12

ANSWER to 1 Complaint, by OGLETHORPE COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM, BEVERLY LEVINE.(KINSINGER, ELIZABETH) (Entered: 12/23/2025)

Dec. 23, 2025

Dec. 23, 2025

13

RULES 16/26 ORDER:Proposed Scheduling/Discovery order due by 1/29/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Required Form)(vs) (Entered: 12/29/2025)

Dec. 29, 2025

Dec. 29, 2025

14

Scheduling/Discovery Order

Jan. 26, 2026

Jan. 26, 2026

Case Details

State / Territory:

Georgia

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

Labor Rights

Key Dates

Filing Date: Oct. 20, 2025

Case Details

Other Dockets:

Middle District of Georgia 3:25-cv-00166

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