Case: Washington National Opera v. United States

1:26-cv-00864 | U.S. Court of Federal Claims

Filed Date: June 11, 2026

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

This is a case challenging the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ (the Kennedy Center) alleged breach of a contract. For 15 years, the Washington National Opera (WNO) and the Kennedy Center had a contractual relationship under which WNO produced operas at the Kennedy Center, and the Kennedy Center provided a number of services, including managing donations to WNO. On June 11, 2026, WNO filed this lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. WNO sued the United States, acting thr…

This is a case challenging the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ (the Kennedy Center) alleged breach of a contract.

For 15 years, the Washington National Opera (WNO) and the Kennedy Center had a contractual relationship under which WNO produced operas at the Kennedy Center, and the Kennedy Center provided a number of services, including managing donations to WNO.

On June 11, 2026, WNO filed this lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. WNO sued the United States, acting through the Kennedy Center, asserting a breach of a 2024 affiliation agreement. WNO alleged that the Kennedy Center had stopped performing many of its obligations under the governing affiliation agreement, including marketing, fundraising, administrative support, and timely reporting on the growth of WNO funds. In response, the Kennedy Center proposed to end its long-standing affiliation with the WNO. The WNO then requested the return of $17 million in WNO funds the Kennedy Center had previously managed, which the WNO alleged it declined to provide. WNO sought damages, an order requiring a complete accounting sufficient to determine the amounts due to WNO under the 2024 Agreement, and attorney’s fees. The case was assigned to District Judge Robin M. Meriweather.

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Alexis Gil (7/10/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73476333/parties/washington-national-opera-v-united-states/

Attorney for Plaintiff

Beiderwieden, Hannah (- United States (national) -)

Cantor, Daniel (- United States (national) -)

Hoffman, Ian S. (- United States (national) -)

Attorney for Defendant

Edelschick, Douglas Glenn (- United States (national) -)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Beiderwieden, Hannah (- United States (national) -)

Cantor, Daniel (- United States (national) -)

Hoffman, Ian S. (- United States (national) -)

Attorney for Defendant

Edelschick, Douglas Glenn (- United States (national) -)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 1:26-cv-00864	Complaint	June 11, 2026	June 11, 2026 Complaint

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73476333/washington-national-opera-v-united-states/

Last updated Aug. 31, 2026, 3:12 a.m.

Docket for: WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA v. United States

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	June 11, 2026	COMPLAINT against USA (O) (Filing fee $405, Receipt number AUSFCC-11307030) (Copy Served Electronically on Department of Justice), filed by WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA. Answer due by 8/11/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Exhibit SEALED (Exhibit A)) (lb1) (Entered: 06/12/2026) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER	Clearinghouse
2	June 11, 2026	Plaintiff's MOTION for Leave to File Exhibit A Under Seal, filed by WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA. Service: 6/12/2026. Response due by 6/25/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order) (lb1) (Entered: 06/12/2026)	RECAP
3	June 11, 2026	Rule 7.1 Disclosure Statement, filed by WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA. Service: 6/12/2026. (lb1) (Entered: 06/12/2026)	RECAP
4	June 12, 2026	Notice of Random Assignment Pursuant to Rule 40.1(a) to Judge Robin M. Meriweather. (lb1) (Entered: 06/12/2026)	RECAP
5	June 12, 2026	NOTICE of Designation of Electronic Case. (lb1) (Entered: 06/12/2026)	RECAP
6	June 12, 2026	NOTICE of Manner of Service. (lb1) (Entered: 06/12/2026)	RECAP
7	June 12, 2026	MOTION For Pro Hac Vice participation in Case (Attorney: Hannah M. Beiderwieden. Is attorney admitted to her/his highest state court? yes. Name of court: District of Columbia. ), filed by WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA.(Cantor, Daniel) (Entered: 06/12/2026)	RECAP
8	June 12, 2026	MOTION For Pro Hac Vice participation in Case (Attorney: Ian Hoffman. Is attorney admitted to her/his highest state court? yes. Name of court: District of Columbia. ), filed by WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA.(Cantor, Daniel) (Entered: 06/12/2026)	RECAP
	June 12, 2026	Clerk's Remark re: Service of Sealed Exhibits (ECF Cases Only)
	June 12, 2026	Remark (Defective Filing) (Public)
	June 12, 2026	Clerk's Remark: Complaint served on Department of Justice pursuant to RCFC 4. Pursuant to Amended General Order No. 2026-01, once defendant has entered a notice of appearance pursuant to RCFC 83.1(b)(2), plaintiff(s) must (1) effectuate service of the sealed exhibits to the complaint outside the ECF System and (2) file a certificate of service in accordance with RCFC 5.3 stating that the sealed exhibits have been served on defendant's counsel. (lb1)
	June 12, 2026	Clerk's Remark: re: 7 MOTION For Pro Hac Vice participation in Case (Attorney: Hannah M. Beiderwieden. Is attorney admitted to her/his highest state court? yes. Name of court: District of Columbia. )MOTION For Pro Hac Vice participation in Case (Attorney: Hannah M. Beiderwieden. Is attorney admitted to her/his highest state court? yes. Name of court: District of Columbia. ) filed by WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA. Does not comply with RCFC 5.5(g). NOTE: The filing party shall not file a corrected document unless so ordered by the court. (lb1)
	June 12, 2026	Clerk's Remark: re: 8 MOTION For Pro Hac Vice participation in Case (Attorney: Ian Hoffman. Is attorney admitted to her/his highest state court? yes. Name of court: District of Columbia. )MOTION For Pro Hac Vice participation in Case (Attorney: Ian Hoffman. Is attorney admitted to her/his highest state court? yes. Name of court: District of Columbia. ) filed by WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA. Does not comply with RCFC 5.5(g). NOTE: The filing party shall not file a corrected document unless so ordered by the court. (lb1)
9	June 17, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Douglas Glenn Edelschick for USA . (Edelschick, Douglas) (Entered: 06/17/2026)	RECAP
	June 18, 2026	Order on Motion for Pro Hac Vice Participation in Case AND Order on Motion for Pro Hac Vice Participation in Case
	June 22, 2026	Remark - Pro Hac Vice Fee Pay (Public)
10	June 23, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance pro hac vice by Ian S. Hoffman for WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA . (Filing fee $75, Receipt number AUSFCC-11324527) (Hoffman, Ian) (Entered: 06/23/2026)	RECAP
11	June 23, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance pro hac vice by Hannah Beiderwieden for WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA . (Filing fee $75, Receipt number AUSFCC-11324560) (Beiderwieden, Hannah) (Entered: 06/23/2026)	RECAP
12	June 23, 2026	CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE, filed by WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA re 1 Complaint, (CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE OF SEALED EXHIBIT A) (Cantor, Daniel) (Entered: 06/23/2026)	RECAP
13	Aug. 3, 2026	Extension of Time to File Response	RECAP
	Aug. 5, 2026	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response

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Case Details

State / Territory:

- United States (national) -

Case Type(s):

Public Benefits/Government Services

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Grant/Contract rescissions, Defunding or Other Threats against Private Entities

Key Dates

Filing Date: June 11, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The plaintiff is the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

United States of America

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Tucker Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1491

Other Dockets:

U.S. Court of Federal Claims 1:26-cv-00864

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Attorneys fees

Damages

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Other

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of Washington National Opera v. United States, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/48295/ (last updated 7/10/2026).