Case: Joslin v. U.S. Department of the Interior

Dr. Shannon "SJ" Joslin v. U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Dr. Shannon "SJ" Joslin v. U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Joslin v. U.S. Department of the Interior et al.

Joslin v. U.S. Department of the Interior et al.

COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing Fee $405 receipt number ADCDC-12258347) filed by SHANNON SJ JOSLIN. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons)(Bailey, Clayton) Modified on 2/23/2026 (zmtm). (Attachment 1 replaced on 2/23/2026) (zmtm). [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.] (Entered: 02/23/2026)

SEALED DOCUMENT filed by SHANNON SJ JOSLIN re 1 Complaint (This document is SEALED and only available to authorized persons.)(Bailey, Clayton) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.] (Entered: 02/23/2026)

MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by SHANNON SJ JOSLIN. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Declaration Declaration of Margaret (Emmy) Wydman, # 3 Exhibit Wydman Decl. Exhibits, # 4 Declaration Declaration of Shannon "SJ" Joslin, # 5 Exhibit Joslin Decl. Exhibits, # 6 Text of Proposed Order)(Bailey, Clayton) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.] (Entered: 02/23/2026)

SUMMONS (9) Issued Electronically as to All Defendants, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zmtm) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.] (Entered: 02/23/2026)

Case Assigned to Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan. (zmtm) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.]

MINUTE ORDER: The Plaintiff has filed a 1 Complaint and 3 Motion for Preliminary Injunction but it does not yet appear that the Defendants have been served. The Court therefore ORDERS that within 48 hours of the Plaintiff effecting service, the Parties must meet and confer and file a joint status report addressing the following issues: (1) a proposed briefing schedule on the motion; (2) a statement addressing whether a hearing on the motion is necessary, and if so, three proposed dates and times for such a hearing; and (3) a statement addressing whether the Parties anticipate factual disputes between the declarants, and if so, whether the Parties believe an evidentiary hearing will be necessary to resolve the disputes and a proposal for proceeding with such a hearing, see LCvR 65.1(d). The Parties may also address any other issues that they believe will be helpful to the Court. Any disagreements should be noted in the Joint Status Report. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 2/23/2026. (lcal) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.]

NOTICE of Appearance by Allison Ilene Brown on behalf of All Defendants (Brown, Allison) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.] (Entered: 02/24/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by Dimitar Georgiev-Remmel on behalf of All Defendants (Georgiev-Remmel, Dimitar) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.] (Entered: 02/24/2026)

Joint STATUS REPORT Re Schedule by PAM BONDI, JESSICA BOWRON, DOUG BURGUM, ERIC GRANT, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Brown, Allison) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.] (Entered: 02/25/2026)

MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 7 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS the Defendants to file their motion to transfer by March 2, 2026. The Plaintiff must file their opposition to the Defendants' Motion by March 5, 2026. The Defendants must file any reply in support of their motion by March 9, 2026. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 2/25/2026. (lcal) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.]

MOTION to Transfer Case to Eastern District of California by PAM BONDI, JESSICA BOWRON, DOUG BURGUM, ERIC GRANT, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Brown, Allison) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.] (Entered: 03/02/2026)

Memorandum in opposition to re 8 MOTION to Transfer Case to Eastern District of California filed by SHANNON SJ JOSLIN. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Bailey, Clayton) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.] (Entered: 03/05/2026)

REPLY to opposition to motion re 8 Motion to Transfer Case, filed by PAM BONDI, JESSICA BOWRON, DOUG BURGUM, ERIC GRANT, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Brown, Allison) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.] (Entered: 03/09/2026)

MEMORANDUM OPINION re the Defendants' 8 Motion to Transfer. See the attached document for details. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 3/11/2026. (lcal) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.] (Entered: 03/11/2026)

ORDER granting the Defendants' 8 Motion to Transfer. See the 11 Memorandum Opinion for details. The Clerk of the Court is directed to transfer this case to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California FORTHWITH. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 3/11/2026. (lcal) [Transferred from dcd on 3/13/2026.] (Entered: 03/11/2026)

CASE TRANSFERRED IN from District of District of Columbia; Case Number 1:26-cv-00576. (Entered: 03/13/2026)

CIVIL NEW CASE DOCUMENTS ISSUED; Initial Scheduling Conference set for 7/28/2026 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 10 (EPG) before Magistrate Judge Erica P. Grosjean. (Attachments: # 1 Standing Order, # 2 Consent Form, # 3 VDRP) (Deputy Clerk CRM) (Entered: 03/13/2026)

CLERK'S NOTICE to all attorneys: In order to practice in the Eastern District of California, you will need to register to be admitted to practice in this court, which can be done on www.PACER.gov. (Deputy Clerk CRM) (Entered: 03/13/2026)

MINUTE ORDER (Text Only Entry) Having reviewed preliminarily the docket in this matter, it appears that there is no briefing schedule for the pending motion for preliminary injunction. Thus, absent a reasonable stipulation submitted by the parties, any opposition is due March 31, 2026. Any reply is due April 10, 2026. Upon receipt of the briefing, the Court will determine if it believes a hearing would be helpful or necessary signed by District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on March 17, 2026. (Deputy Clerk IM) (Entered: 03/17/2026)

Minute Order

STIPULATION and PROPOSED ORDER : Briefing Schedule re Plaintiff's Transferred Complaint and Motion for Preliminary Injunction by Pam Bondi, Jessica Bowron, Doug Burgum, Eric Grant, National Park Service, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of the Interior. Attorney Davidson, Rachel R. added. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Davidson, Rachel) (Entered: 03/18/2026)

ORDER: BRIEFING SCHEDULE RE PLAINTIFF'S TRANSFERRED COMPLAINT AND MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION signed by District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on March 18, 2026. (Deputy Clerk IM) (Entered: 03/18/2026)

NOTICE of APPEARANCE by Marshall Mayes Searcy, III on behalf of Shannon SJ Joslin. Attorney Searcy, Marshall Mayes added. (Searcy, Marshall) (Entered: 03/27/2026)

NOTICE of APPEARANCE by MacKenzie Freed on behalf of Shannon SJ Joslin. Attorney Freed, MacKenzie added. (Freed, MacKenzie) (Entered: 03/27/2026)

NOTICE of APPEARANCE by Chloe Connolly on behalf of Shannon SJ Joslin. Attorney Connolly, Chloe added. (Connolly, Chloe) (Entered: 03/27/2026)

PRO HAC VICE APPLICATION and PROPOSED ORDER submitted by Shannon SJ Joslin for attorney Clayton L. Bailey to appear Pro Hac Vice. (Filing fee $ 300, receipt number ACAEDC-13110683) (Searcy, Marshall) (Entered: 03/30/2026)

PRO HAC VICE APPLICATION and PROPOSED ORDER submitted by Shannon SJ Joslin for attorney Paula Dinerstein to appear Pro Hac Vice. (Filing fee $ 300, receipt number ACAEDC-13110967) (Searcy, Marshall) (Entered: 03/30/2026)

PRO HAC VICE APPLICATION and PROPOSED ORDER submitted by Shannon SJ Joslin for attorney Margaret (Emmy) Wydman to appear Pro Hac Vice. (Filing fee $ 300, receipt number ACAEDC-13111046) (Searcy, Marshall) (Entered: 03/30/2026)

ORDER GRANTING 22 Application for Pro Hac Vice signed by Magistrate Judge Erica P. Grosjean on 3/31/2026. Added attorney Clayton Louis Bailey for Shannon SJ Joslin. The Pro Hac Vice attorney is directed to request electronic filing access through PACER. (Deputy Clerk SSA) (Entered: 03/31/2026)

ORDER GRANTING 23 Application for Pro Hac Vice signed by Magistrate Judge Erica P. Grosjean on 3/31/2026. Added attorney Paula Dinerstein, PHV for Shannon SJ Joslin. The Pro Hac Vice attorney is directed to request electronic filing access through PACER. (Deputy Clerk SSA) (Entered: 03/31/2026)

ORDER GRANTING 24 Application for Pro Hac Vice signed by Magistrate Judge Erica P. Grosjean on 3/31/2026. Added attorney Margaret Wydman, PHV for Shannon SJ Joslin. The Pro Hac Vice attorney is directed to request electronic filing access through PACER. (Deputy Clerk SSA) (Entered: 03/31/2026)

FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT against Pam Bondi, Jessica Bowron, Doug Burgum, Eric Grant, National Park Service, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of the Interior by Shannon SJ Joslin.(Connolly, Chloe) (Entered: 03/31/2026)

MOTION for PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION by Shannon SJ Joslin. Motion Hearing set for 6/9/2026 at 09:00 AM in Courtroom 4 (JLT) before District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support of Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction, # 2 Declaration of Margaret (Emmy) Wydman, # 3 Exhibits 1 - 42 to the Wydman Declaration, # 4 Declaration of Shannon "SJ" Joslin, # 5 Exhibits A - E to the Joslin Declaration, # 6 Proposed Order)(Connolly, Chloe) (Entered: 03/31/2026)

1 Memorandum in Support of Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction

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2 Declaration of Margaret (Emmy) Wydman

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3 Exhibits 1 - 42 to the Wydman Declaration

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4 Declaration of Shannon "SJ" Joslin

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5 Exhibits A - E to the Joslin Declaration

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6 Proposed Order

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CERTIFICATE / PROOF of SERVICE by Shannon SJ Joslin. (Connolly, Chloe) (Entered: 03/31/2026)

ORDER of RECUSAL signed by Magistrate Judge Erica P. Grosjean on 4/1/2026. New Case Number: 1:26-cv-02029-JLT-FJS. (Deputy Clerk SSA) (Entered: 04/01/2026)

MINUTE ORDER (Text Only Entry) DUE TO THE UNAVAILABILITY OF THE COURT: MOTION for PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION currently set for 6/9/2026 has been CONTINUED to Friday, 6/12/2026 at 09:00 AM in Courtroom 4 (JLT) before District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston signed by District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on April 1, 2026. (Deputy Clerk IM) (Entered: 04/01/2026)

Minute Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Motion Hearing

ORDER Resetting Scheduling Conference signed by Magistrate Judge Frank J. Singer on 4/29/2026. (Scheduling Conference reset to 7/28/2026 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 8 (FJS) before Magistrate Judge Frank J. Singer). (Deputy Clerk EV) (Entered: 04/29/2026)

MOTION to DISMISS by Pam Bondi, Jessica Bowron, Doug Burgum, Eric Grant, National Park Service, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of the Interior. Motion Hearing set for 6/12/2026 at 09:00 AM in Courtroom 4 (JLT) before District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston. (Attachments: # 1 Points and Authorities)(Davidson, Rachel) (Entered: 04/30/2026)

1 Points and Authorities

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OPPOSITION by Pam Bondi, Jessica Bowron, Doug Burgum, Eric Grant, National Park Service, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of the Interior to 29 Motion for Preliminary Injunction,,. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Danika Globokar, # 2 Declaration of Raymond McPadden)(Davidson, Rachel) (Entered: 04/30/2026)

1 Declaration of Danika Globokar

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2 Declaration of Raymond McPadden

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CONSENT/DECLINE of U.S. Magistrate Judge Jurisdiction. Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 73(b)(1), this document is restricted to attorneys and court staff only. Judges do not have access to view this document and will be informed of a party's response only if all parties have consented to the referral. (Anonymous) (Entered: 04/30/2026)

EX PARTE APPLICATION by Shannon SJ Joslin for Leave to File Combined Brief. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Clayton L. Bailey, # 2 Proposed Order)(Searcy, Marshall) (Entered: 05/07/2026)

OPPOSITION by Pam Bondi, Jessica Bowron, Doug Burgum, Eric Grant, National Park Service, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of the Interior to 37 Ex Parte Application. (Davidson, Rachel) (Entered: 05/07/2026)

MINUTE ORDER (Text Entry Only) The ex parte application to file a combined brief [Doc. 37] is GRANTED. Plaintiff shall file, by May 14, 2026, a single combined brief not to exceed 25 pages, constituting Plaintiff's opposition to Defendants' motion to dismiss and Plaintiff's reply in support of Plaintiff's motion for a preliminary injunction signed by District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on May 8, 2026. (Deputy Clerk IM) (Entered: 05/08/2026)

Order on Ex Parte Application

OPPOSITION by Plaintiff Shannon SJ Joslin to 34 MOTION to DISMISS. (Attachments: # 1 2nd Declaration of Margaret (Emmy) Wydman, # 2 2nd Declaration of Shannon "SJ" Joslin)(Searcy, Marshall) (Entered: 05/14/2026)

1 2nd Declaration of Margaret (Emmy) Wydman

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2 2nd Declaration of Shannon "SJ" Joslin

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REPLY by Shannon SJ Joslin to RESPONSE to 29 Motion for Preliminary Injunction,,. (Attachments: # 1 2nd Declaration of Margaret (Emmy) Wydman, # 2 2nd Declaration of Shannon "SJ" Joslin)(Searcy, Marshall) (Entered: 05/14/2026)

1 2nd Declaration of Margaret (Emmy) Wydman

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2 2nd Declaration of Shannon "SJ" Joslin

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MINUTE ORDER (Text Only Entry) signed by District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on 5/18/2026: The hearing currently set for June 12, 2026, is VACATED. The pending motions for a preliminary injunction and to dismiss will be decided on the briefing, without oral argument, under Local Rule 230(g). All other dates and deadlines are unchanged. (Deputy Clerk YV) (Entered: 05/18/2026)

Minute Order AND ~Util - 1 Set/Reset Deadlines and Hearings

REPLY by Pam Bondi, Jessica Bowron, Doug Burgum, Eric Grant, National Park Service, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of the Interior to RESPONSE to 34 Motion to Dismiss,. (Davidson, Rachel) (Entered: 05/28/2026)

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION AND GRANTING MOTION TO DISMISS signed by District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on 6/12/2026. For the reasons above, the motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction (Doc. 34 ) is GRANTED, and the m otion for a preliminary injunction (Doc. 29 ) is DENIED:(1) The Court cannot conceive of any allegations that Joslin could assert in a future complaint that might permit them to avoid the CSRA's preclusive effects. See Saul, 9 28 F.2d at 843. The motion to dismiss Joslin's employment-related claims and requests for relief is granted without leave to amend, but also without prejudice to any future litigation in an appropriate venue. See Hamptom v. Pac. Inv. Mgmt. Co . LLC, 869 F.3d 844, 846 (9th Cir. 2017).(2) The Court cannot exclude the possibility that Joslin could make additional allegations to show that the Court has jurisdiction over their claims about a potential criminal prosecution or under the Privacy Act. The government's motion to dismiss these portions of the complaint is therefore granted with leave to amend. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a). Any second amended complaint must be filed within thirty days.(3) Because the Court h as dismissed the complaint, Joslin cannot show they are likely to succeed on the merits of the claims within it, nor that their claims raise serious questions on the merits. The motion for a preliminary injunction is therefore denied. See Winter v. Nat. Res. Def. Council, Inc., 555 U.S. 7, 20 (2008); All. for the Wild Rockies v. Cottrell, 632 F.3d 1127, 1135 (9th Cir. 2011). (Deputy Clerk CLA)

SECOND AMENDED COMPLAINT against All Defendants by Shannon SJ Joslin. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Press Release)(Wydman, Margaret) (Entered: 07/10/2026)

STIPULATION and PROPOSED ORDER Briefing Schedule re Defendants' Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff's Second Amended Complaint by Pam Bondi, Jessica Bowron, Doug Burgum, Eric Grant, National Park Service, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California, U.S. Department of Justice. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Davidson, Rachel) (Entered: 07/13/2026)

1 Proposed Order

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MINUTE ORDER (Text Only Entry) The stipulated request [Doc. 46] to set a briefing schedule on defendants' anticipated motion to dismiss is GRANTED. Defendants' motion to dismiss must be filed by August 10, 2026. Plaintiffs' opposition to that motion must be filed by August 31, 2026. Defendant's reply must be filed by September 14, 2026. The Court will determine whether oral arguments will be helpful or necessary after the reply is filed. The parties' stipulated request to reset the scheduling conference should be resubmitted to the assigned magistrate judge signed by District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on July 13, 2026. (Deputy Clerk IM) (Entered: 07/13/2026)

Minute Order

STIPULATION and PROPOSED ORDER RE SCHEDULING CONFERENCE by Pam Bondi, Jessica Bowron, Doug Burgum, Eric Grant, National Park Service, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of the Interior. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Davidson, Rachel) (Entered: 07/16/2026)

ORDER Continuing Scheduling Conference signed by Magistrate Judge Frank J. Singer on 7/17/2026. (Scheduling Conference continued to 11/18/2026 at 10:30 AM in Courtroom 8 (FJS) before Magistrate Judge Frank J. Singer). (Deputy Clerk EV)

MOTION to DISMISS by Pam Bondi, Jessica Bowron, Doug Burgum, Eric Grant, National Park Service, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of the Interior. Motion Hearing set for 10/1/2026 at 09:00 AM in Courtroom 4 (JLT) before District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston. (Attachments: # 1 Points and Authorities)(Davidson, Rachel) (Entered: 08/10/2026)

1 Points and Authorities

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OPPOSITION by Shannon SJ Joslin to 50 Motion to Dismiss,. (Wydman, Margaret) (Entered: 08/31/2026)

REPLY by Pam Bondi, Jessica Bowron, Doug Burgum, Eric Grant, National Park Service, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of the Interior to RESPONSE to 50 Motion to Dismiss,. (Davidson, Rachel) (Entered: 09/14/2026)

MINUTE ORDER (Text Only Entry) Pursuant to Local Rule 302, the filed motion to dismiss 50 will be heard and decided by the undersigned. As set forth in the Court's standing order, no hearing will be calendared, and the matter will be decided on the papers. As a result of the ongoing judicial resource emergency in this District, approximately 100 regular civil motions remain under submission before the undersigned. As a result, it is likely to be six or more months until the motion(s) in this matter is resolved. The Court reiterates that magistrate judge consent can alleviate the delay caused by the resource emergency. The parties SHALL reconsider magistrate judge consent for all purposes or only for this pending motion. In addition, the parties are reminded of their ongoing obligation to inform the Court of any changed circumstances that have rendered all or part of any pending motion moot. Finally, the parties are informed that the undersigned generally requires a formal settlement conference take place before any civil case proceeds to trial. Should the parties jointly wish to schedule a settlement conference, they are directed to contact Courtroom Deputy Irma Munoz at imunoz@caed.uscourts.gov signed by District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on September 22, 2026. (Deputy Clerk IM) (Entered: 09/22/2026)

Minute Order AND ~Util - Motions Submitted/Under Advisement