Case: Walker v. Blanche

8:26-cv-03199 | U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Filed Date: Aug. 13, 2026

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case, brought by a private employment law firm, challenges the Department of Justice’s decision not to convert a probationary immigration judge, an African American woman over 40, to a permanent position and to terminate her employment. The plaintiff alleged that the decision was motivated by her race, sex, age, and political affiliation or association. 


On August 13, 2026, plaintiff filed this case in the Southern Division of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. The plaintiff brought Title VII, ADEA, and First Amendment claims against the United States Attorney General and the United States Department of Justice. 


The case was assigned to Judge Theodore D. Chuang. The case is ongoing. 

 

  

Summary Authors

Ana Lopez (9/8/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/74645789/parties/walker-v-blanche/


Judge(s)

Chuang, Theodore David (Maryland)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Owen, Kevin L (Maryland)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case
1

8:26-cv-03199

Complaint for Declaratory and Monetary Relief and Demand for Jury Trial

Walker v. Blanche et al.

Aug. 13, 2026

Aug. 13, 2026

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/74645789/walker-v-blanche/

Last updated Sept. 14, 2026, 3:07 a.m.

Docket for: Walker v. Blanche
ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Aug. 13, 2026

COMPLAINT against Todd Blanche, U.S. Department of Justice ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number AMDDC-12954024.), filed by Devene Walker. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons)(Owen, Kevin) (Entered: 08/13/2026)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

2 Summons

View on PACER

Clearinghouse
2 Aug. 13, 2026

QC NOTICE: 1 Complaint filed by Devene Walker was filed incorrectly. **The following attachments or exhibits are missing - Separate summons for Todd Blanch, U.S. Department of Justice and Kelly O. Hayes. To correct this problem, file Separate summons for U.S. Department of Justice and Kelly O. Hayes using the event Notice (Other) and link Separate summons for U.S. Department of Justice and Kelly O. Hayes to 1 . (ybs, Deputy Clerk) Modified on 8/13/2026 (ybs). (Entered: 08/13/2026)

RECAP
3 Aug. 13, 2026

NOTICE by Devene Walker re 1 Complaint Summons DOJ and USAO (Attachments: # 1 Summons)(Owen, Kevin) (Entered: 08/13/2026)

RECAP
4 Aug. 13, 2026

NOTICE by Davene Walker re 1 Complaint Summons - Blanche (Owen, Kevin) (Entered: 08/13/2026)

RECAP
5 Aug. 14, 2026

Summons Issued 60 days as to Todd Blanche, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General(ybs, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 08/14/2026)

RECAP
6 Aug. 14, 2026

(FILED IN ERROR) CASE MANAGEMENT ORDER. Signed by Judge Theodore D. Chuang on 8/14/2026. (ybs, Deputy Clerk) Modified on 8/14/2026 (ybs). (Entered: 08/14/2026)

RECAP
7 Aug. 14, 2026

CASE MANAGEMENT ORDER. Signed by Judge Theodore D. Chuang on 8/13/2026. (ybs, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 08/14/2026)

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory:

Maryland

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 13, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

A citizen of the State of Virginia and an African American woman who was appointed to serve as an Immigration Judge with DOJ's Executive Office of Immigration Review who was not converted to a permanent Immigration Judge by the Attorney General.

Plaintiff Type(s):

EEOC Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

U.S. Department of Justice

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Law-enforcement

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), 29 U.S.C. §§ 621 et seq.

Ex Parte Young (Federal) or Bivens

Ex parte Young (federal or state officials)

Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e

Constitutional Clause(s):

Freedom of speech/association

Other Dockets:

District of Maryland 8:26-cv-03199

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Attorneys fees

Damages

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Discrimination Area:

Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff

Discipline

Promotion

Discrimination Basis:

Age discrimination

Gender identity

Race discrimination

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