Case: State of Tennessee v. United States Department of Education

COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ATNEDC-6022278.), filed by State of Tennessee, Students For Fair Admissions, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons, # 5 Summons, # 6 Summons, # 7 Summons)(Norris, Cameron) (Entered: 06/11/2025)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

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2 Summons

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3 Summons

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4 Summons

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5 Summons

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6 Summons

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7 Summons

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Certificate of Corporate Interest by Students For Fair Admissions, Inc.. (Norris, Cameron) (Entered: 06/11/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance by James Matthew Rice on behalf of State of Tennessee (Rice, James) (Entered: 06/11/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance by Joshua Daniel Minchin on behalf of State of Tennessee (Minchin, Joshua) (Entered: 06/11/2025)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6022636.) by Students For Fair Admissions, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Good Standing)(Pociask, Matt) (Entered: 06/11/2025)

1 Certificate of Good Standing

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MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice, Thomas R. McCarthy ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6022641.) by Students For Fair Admissions, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Good Standing)(Pociask, Matt) (Entered: 06/11/2025)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Aaron Bernard by State of Tennessee. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Good Standing, # 2 Affidavit)(Minchin, Joshua) (Entered: 06/11/2025)

Summons Issued as to Linda McMahon, United States Department of Education. (Attachments: # 1 Summons US Attorney General - United States Department of Education, # 2 Summons US Attorney - Department of Education, # 3 Summons Linda McMahon, # 4 Summons Linda McMahon - US Attorney General, # 5 Summons Linda McMahon - US Attorney) (CAT) (Entered: 06/12/2025)

Order Governing Sealing Confidential Information. Signed by District Judge Katherine A Crytzer on 06/12/2025. (CAT) (Entered: 06/12/2025)

Order Governing Depositions. Signed by District Judge Katherine A Crytzer on 06/12/2025. (CAT) (Entered: 06/12/2025)

Order Governing Motions To Dismiss. Signed by District Judge Katherine A Crytzer on 06/12/2025. (CAT) (Entered: 06/12/2025)

Add and Terminate Judges

District Judge Katherine A Crytzer and Magistrate Judge Debra C Poplin added. (CAT)

Clerk's Verification of PHV Requirements

Clerk's Verification of PHV Requirements is complete Matt Pociask, Thomas McCarthy, and Aaron Bernard regarding document: 7 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Aaron Bernard filed by State of Tennessee, 6 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice, Thomas R. McCarthy ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6022641.) filed by Students For Fair Admissions, Inc., 5 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6022636.) filed by Students For Fair Admissions, Inc. (CAT)

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Students For Fair Admissions, Inc.. All Defendants. (Pociask, Matt) (Entered: 06/16/2025)

Administrative Notice to Counsel 12 Summons Returned Executed as to USA : Please refile document 12 using the event Affidavit of Service found under Service of Process. Requirements due by 6/23/2025. (CAT) (Entered: 06/17/2025)

AFFIDAVIT of Service for Summons and Complaint served on All Defendants on 6/16/2025, filed by Students For Fair Admissions, Inc.. (Pociask, Matt) (Entered: 06/17/2025)

ORDER granting 5 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. You MUST register as an E-Filer here: https://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/pscof/regWizard.jsf; granting 6 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. You MUST register as an E-Filer here: https://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/pscof/regWizard.jsf; granting 7 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. You MUST register as an E-Filer here: https://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/pscof/regWizard.jsf. Signed by Magistrate Judge Debra C. Poplin on 06/17/2025. This entry constitutes the complete Order of the Court. (HSN) (Entered: 06/17/2025)

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice AND Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice AND Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

MOTION to Intervene by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Declaration of Flores, # 2 Other Proposed Answer)(Yarbrough, Stella) (Entered: 07/24/2025)

1 Exhibit Declaration of Flores

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2 Other Proposed Answer

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MEMORANDUM in Support re 16 Motion to Intervene . (Yarbrough, Stella) (Entered: 07/24/2025)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Francisca Fajana ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6060915.) by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Good Standing)(Yarbrough, Stella) (Entered: 07/24/2025)

RESPONSE to Motion re 16 MOTION to Intervene in Non-Opposition filed by State of Tennessee, Students For Fair Admissions, Inc.. (Norris, Cameron) (Entered: 07/24/2025)

Clerk's Verification of PHV Requirements

Clerk's Verification of PHV Requirements is complete regarding document: 18 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Francisca Fajana ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6060915.) filed by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (LCK)

ORDER granting 18 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. You MUST register as an E-Filer here: https://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/pscof/regWizard.jsf. Signed by Magistrate Judge Debra C. Poplin on 07/28/2025. (This entry constitutes the complete Order of the Court.) (HSN) (Entered: 07/28/2025)

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

Public Docket Annotation

Docket Annotation

Gavel Order 20 mailed to Attorney Francisca D. Fajana. (LCK)

RESPONSE to Motion re 16 MOTION to Intervene Non-Opposition to Permissive Intervention filed by Linda McMahon, United States Department of Education. (Berman, Keri) (Entered: 08/07/2025)

MOTION to Intervene by The National Association of Scholars, Faculty, Alumni, and Students Opposed to Racial Preferences. (Attachments: # 1 Other Proposed Complaint)(Osborne, Eric) (Entered: 08/08/2025)

1 Other Proposed Complaint

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MEMORANDUM in Support of Motion re 22 MOTION to Intervene filed by Faculty, Alumni, and Students Opposed to Racial Preferences, The National Association of Scholars. (Osborne, Eric) (Entered: 08/08/2025)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Mark Alexander Carver by Faculty, Alumni, and Students Opposed to Racial Preferences, The National Association of Scholars. (Attachments: # 1 Other Certificate of Good Standing)(Osborne, Eric) (Entered: 08/08/2025)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Dan Morenoff ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6076178.) by Faculty, Alumni, and Students Opposed to Racial Preferences, The National Association of Scholars. (Attachments: # 1 Other Certificate of Good Standing)(Osborne, Eric) (Entered: 08/08/2025)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Joseph Bingham ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6076196.) by Faculty, Alumni, and Students Opposed to Racial Preferences, The National Association of Scholars. (Attachments: # 1 Other Certificate of Good Standing)(Osborne, Eric) (Entered: 08/08/2025)

Clerk's Verification of PHV Requirements

Clerk's Verification of PHV Requirements is complete for Mark Carver, Dan Morenoff, and Joseph Bingham regarding document: 26 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Joseph Bingham ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6076196.) filed by The National Association of Scholars, Faculty, Alumni, and Students Opposed to Racial Preferences, 25 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Dan Morenoff ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6076178.) filed by The National Association of Scholars, Faculty, Alumni, and Students Opposed to Racial Preferences, 24 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Mark Alexander Carver filed by The National Association of Scholars, Faculty, Alumni, and Students Opposed to Racial Preferences (CAT)

MAIL RETURNED as Undeliverable. Mail sent to Francisca D. Fajana re Docket Annotation. (KDO) (Entered: 08/14/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance by Clifford Lee Reeves, II on behalf of All Defendants (Reeves, Clifford) (Entered: 08/15/2025)

Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 22 MOTION to Intervene, 1 Complaint, by Linda McMahon, United States Department of Education. (Reeves, Clifford) (Entered: 08/15/2025)

ORDER granting 24 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. You MUST register as an E-Filer here: https://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/pscof/regWizard.jsf; granting 25 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. You MUST register as an E-Filer here: https://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/pscof/regWizard.jsf; granting 26 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. You MUST register as an E-Filer here: https://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/pscof/regWizard.jsf. Signed by Magistrate Judge Debra C. Poplin on 08/15/2025. (This entry constitutes the complete Order of the Court.) (HSN) (Entered: 08/15/2025)

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice AND Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice AND Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

Now before the Court is Defendants' Unopposed Request for Extension of Time [Doc. 29]. In light of no opposition, and for good cause shown, the Court GRANTS the motion [Doc. 29]. Defendants SHALL respond to the Complaint on or before October 2, 2025. Signed by Magistrate Judge Debra C. Poplin on 8/18/2025. (This entry constitutes the complete Order of the Court.) (AGA) (Entered: 08/18/2025)

Public Docket Annotation

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Copy of Gavel Order, Doc. 30, mailed to Attorneys Dan Morenoff and Joseph Bingham. (AFW)

Docket Annotation

Public Docket Annotation

Copy of Gavel Order, Doc. 31, mailed to Attorneys Dan Morenoff and Joseph Bingham. (AFW)

Docket Annotation

NOTICE by Linda McMahon, United States Department of Education re 1 Complaint, of Filing (Reeves, Clifford) (Entered: 09/30/2025)

Now before the Court is Defendants' Notice of Filing [Doc. 32]. They note that their deadline to respond to the Complaint is October 2, 2025 [Id. at 1]. But they state that once the Court adjudicates the pending motions for intervention and the parties have completed dispositive motions, "the scope of the parties' disputes about legality and/or any potential remedies will likely become clearer" [Id.]. Defendants conferred with Plaintiffs, who "do not object to treating Defendants' letter as their response to the [C]omplaint and excusing Defendants from filing any further response" [Id. at 2]. To the extent Defendants are seeking relief from the Court, they SHALL file a motion. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 7(b). Signed by Magistrate Judge Debra C. Poplin on 10/2/2025. (This entry constitutes the complete Order of the Court.) (AGA) (Entered: 10/02/2025)

Order

ORDER granting in part 22 MOTION to Intervene, granting in part 16 MOTION to Intervene. The Court ORDERS the Parties to confer and jointly submit a Rule 26(f) report by October 22, 2025. Signed by District Judge Katherine A Crytzer on 10/10/2025. (DCB) (Entered: 10/10/2025)

Intervenor COMPLAINT, filed by The National Association of Scholars.(Carver, Mark) (Entered: 10/10/2025)

HACU ANSWER to 1 Complaint, by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.(Fajana, Francisca) (Entered: 10/13/2025)

ORDER: The parties are ordered to confer and return the attached form within the time provided.Signed by District Judge Katherine A Crytzer on October 15, 2025. (Attachments: # 1 Consent-Non-Consent Form) (SAC) (Entered: 10/15/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance by Zee Scout on behalf of Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (Scout, Zee) (Entered: 10/21/2025)

NOTICE OF NONCONSENT by Students For Fair Admissions, Inc. (Norris, Cameron) (Entered: 10/21/2025)

REPORT of Rule 26(f) Planning Meeting. (Norris, Cameron) (Entered: 10/22/2025)

ORDER SETTING SCHEDULE.Signed by District Judge Katherine A Crytzer on October 27, 2025. (SAC) (Entered: 10/27/2025)

MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 35 Intervenor Complaint by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Fajana, Francisca) (Entered: 11/05/2025)

Now before the Court is Defendant-Intervenor's Unopposed Motion to Extend Time to File Answer or Otherwise Respond [Doc. 35]. It represents that Plaintiffs and Plaintiff-Intervenors do not oppose the motion [Id. at 2]. For good cause shown, the Court GRANTS the motion [Doc. 35]. Defendant-Intervenor SHALL file a response to the Complaint on or before December 2, 2025. Signed by Magistrate Judge Debra C. Poplin on 11/6/2025. (This entry constitutes the complete Order of the Court.) (AGA) (Entered: 11/06/2025)

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Fajana, Francisca) (Entered: 12/02/2025)

MEMORANDUM in Support of Motion re 44 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction filed by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration)(Fajana, Francisca) (Entered: 12/02/2025)

1 Affidavit Declaration

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NOTICE of Deficiency (Pro Hac). Attorneys Namratha Somayajula, Grace Hart, & Suzana Kondic are not admitted (See LR 83.5). This matter will be referred to a magistrate judge if a pro hac motion is not filed within 15 days of this Notice. (Copy of Notice mailed to Namratha Somayajula, Grace Hart, & Suzana Kondic) (CAT) (Entered: 12/03/2025)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Namratha Somayajula ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6174862.) by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Scout, Zee) (Entered: 12/03/2025)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Suzana Kondic ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6175489.) by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Scout, Zee) (Entered: 12/03/2025)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Grace Hart ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6176783.) by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Scout, Zee) (Entered: 12/04/2025)

Clerk's Verification of PHV Requirements

Clerk's Verification of PHV Requirements is complete regarding document: 47 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Namratha Somayajula (Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6174862.) filed by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, 48 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Suzana Kondic (Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6175489.) filed by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (AFW)

MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 44 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction by Faculty, Alumni, and Students Opposed to Racial Preferences, The National Association of Scholars. (Carver, Mark) (Entered: 12/05/2025)

Clerk's Verification of PHV Requirements

Clerk's Verification of PHV Requirements is complete regarding document: 49 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Grace Hart ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6176783.) filed by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (LCK)

ORDER granting [Docs. 47, 48 & 49] Motions for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. You MUST register as an E-Filer here: https://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/pscof/regWizard.jsf. Signed by Magistrate Judge Debra C. Poplin on 12/8/2025.(This entry constitutes the complete Order of the Court.) (AGA) (Entered: 12/08/2025)

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice AND Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice AND Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

Public Docket Annotation

Docket Annotation

Copy of Gavel Order, Doc. 51 mailed to Namratha Somayajula, Suzana Kondic, Grace E. Hart. (CAT)

ORDER granting in Part the "Motion to Extend Response Deadline" filed by Plaintiff-Intervenors [Doc. 50] with no opposition. See E.D. Tenn. L.R. 7.2. Plaintiff-Intervenors MUST file any response to Defendant-Intervenor's Motion to Dismiss [Doc. 44] by January 30, 2026, unless Defendant-Intervenor files its "forthcoming" Rule 12(c) Motion before January 8. If Defendant-Intervenor does so, Plaintiff-Intervenors MUST file any response to Defendant-Intervenor's Motion to Dismiss [Doc. 44] by the date on which Plaintiff-Intervenors' response to the Rule 12(c) motion is due. See E.D. Tenn. L.R. 7.1. Signed by District Judge Katherine A. Crytzer on 12/22/2025. This docket entry constitutes the complete order of the Court. (RRG). (Entered: 12/22/2025)

STIPULATION / JOINT STIPULATION AND [PROPOSED] ORDER GOVERNING REVISED CASE SCHEDULE by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Hart, Grace) (Entered: 12/22/2025)

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply

Administrative Notice to Counsel 53 Stipulation : Please refile Doc. 53 in accordance with ECF Rule 4.8. Requirements due by 12/29/2025. (CAT) (Entered: 12/23/2025)

Joint MOTION to revise the case schedule and extend the first two discovery deadlines by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Attachments: # 1 Other - Proposed Stipulation)(Hart, Grace) (Entered: 12/23/2025)

ORDER Now before the Court is the Joint Stipulation and [Proposed] Order Governing Revised Case Schedule. In light of the parties' agreement, the Court GRANTS the motion [Doc. 53]. Defendants' and Defendant-Intervenor's SHALL file their expert testimony disclosures on or before January 26, 2026. Plaintiffs' and Plaintiff-Intervenor's SHALL file their expert testimony disclosures on or before February 23, 2026. Signed by Magistrate Judge Debra C. Poplin on 12/29/2025. (This entry constitutes the complete Order of the Court.) (GCF) (Entered: 12/29/2025)

Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief

MOTION for Judgment on the Pleadings by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Hart, Grace) (Entered: 01/08/2026)

MEMORANDUM in Support of Motion re 57 MOTION for Judgment on the Pleadings filed by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Hart, Grace) (Entered: 01/08/2026)

AFFIDAVIT in Support re 57 MOTION for Judgment on the Pleadings // Declaration of Grace E. Hart in Support of Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings filed by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - H.R. Rep. No. 110-210 (2007), # 2 Exhibit B - Constitutionality of Race-Based Dep't of Educ. Programs, 49 Op. O.L.C. (Dec. 2, 2025), # 3 Exhibit C - Dec. 19, 2025 Department of Education Press Release)(Hart, Grace) (Entered: 01/08/2026)

1 Exhibit A - H.R. Rep. No. 110-210 (2007)

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2 Exhibit B - Constitutionality of Race-Based Dep't of Educ. Programs, 49 Op.

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3 Exhibit C - Dec. 19, 2025 Department of Education Press Release

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REPLY to Response to Motion re 44 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction / Defendant-Intervenor's Reply in Support of Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff-Intervenors' Complaint in Intervention filed by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Hart, Grace) (Entered: 03/23/2026)

REPLY to Response to Motion re 57 MOTION for Judgment on the Pleadings / Defendant-Intervenor's Reply in Support of Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings filed by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Hart, Grace) (Entered: 03/23/2026)

STIPULATED PROTECTIVE ORDER REGARDING DISCLOSURE AND USE OF DISCOVERY MATERIALS: Setting forth the conditions for treating, obtaining, and using documents, testimony, or information containing or reflecting confidential, privileged, personal, proprietary, trade secret, and/or commercially sensitive information. Signed by Magistrate Judge Debra C Poplin on 3/30/2026. (CRV) (Entered: 03/30/2026)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Students For Fair Admissions, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Good Standing)(Norris, Cameron) (Entered: 04/15/2026)

Clerk's Verification of PHV Requirements

Clerk's Verification of PHV Requirements for Tyler A. Dobbs is complete regarding document: 70 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice filed by Students For Fair Admissions, Inc. (Attorney is pending admission, no fee required) (CRV)

ORDER granting [Doc. 70] Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. You MUST register as an E-Filer here: https://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/pscof/regWizard.jsf. Signed by Magistrate Judge Debra C. Poplin on 4/21/2026. (This entry constitutes the complete Order of the Court.) (AGA) (Entered: 04/21/2026)

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice