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Case TitleU.S. Right to Know-v-U.S. Agency for International Aid
DistrictNorthern District of California
CitySan Francisco
Case Number3:2021cv08058
Date Filed2021-10-14
Date Closed2024-02-27
JudgeMagistrate Judge Sallie Kim
PlaintiffU.S. Right to Know
Case DescriptionU.S. Right to Know submitted a FOIA request to U.S. Agency for International Development for records concerning USAID grants to EcoHealth Alliance involving research in China on bat-associated pathogens. U.S. Right to Know also requested a fee waiver. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request. After hearing nothing further from the agency, U.S. Right to Know filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Public Interest Fee Waiver, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. Agency for International Aid
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2021-10-141COMPLAINT against U.S. Agency for International Aid ( Filing fee $ 402, receipt number 0971-16498270.). Filed byU.S. Right to Know. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A (FOIA Request), # 2 Exhibit B (Revised FOIA Request), # 3 Civil Cover Sheet)(Doughty, Rachel) (Filed on 10/14/2021) Modified on 10/15/2021 (msrS, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 10/14/2021)
2021-10-142Corporate Disclosure Statement by U.S. Right to Know (Doughty, Rachel) (Filed on 10/14/2021) (Entered: 10/14/2021)
2021-10-143Proposed Summons. (Doughty, Rachel) (Filed on 10/14/2021) (Entered: 10/14/2021)
2021-10-144Case assigned to Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim. Counsel for plaintiff or the removing party is responsible for serving the Complaint or Notice of Removal, Summons and the assigned judge's standing orders and all other new case documents upon the opposing parties. For information, visit E-Filing A New Civil Case at http://cand.uscourts.gov/ecf/caseopening. Standing orders can be downloaded from the court's web page at www.cand.uscourts.gov/judges. Upon receipt, the summons will be issued and returned electronically. Counsel is required to send chambers a copy of the initiating documents pursuant to L.R. 5-1(e)(7). A scheduling order will be sent by Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) within two business days. Consent/Declination due by 10/28/2021. (haS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 10/14/2021) (Entered: 10/14/2021)
2021-10-155Erroneous Entry--Please Ignore--See Docket Entry 7 For Corrected Document Initial Case Management Scheduling Order with ADR Deadlines: Case Management Statement due by 1/10/2022. Initial Case Management Conference set for 1/17/2022 01:30 PM in San Francisco, Courtroom C, 15th Floor. (msrS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 10/15/2021) Modified on 10/15/2021 (msrS, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 10/15/2021)
2021-10-156Summons Issued as to U.S. Agency for International Aid. (msrS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 10/15/2021) (Entered: 10/15/2021)
2021-10-157Initial Case Management Scheduling Order with ADR Deadlines: Case Management Statement due by 1/10/2022. Initial Case Management Conference set for 1/17/2022 01:30 PM in San Francisco, Courtroom C, 15th Floor. (msrS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 10/15/2021) (Entered: 10/15/2021)
2021-10-298CLERK'S NOTICE Re: Consent or Declination: Plaintiff shall file a consent or declination to proceed before a magistrate judge by 11/12/2021 . Note that any party is free to withhold consent to proceed before a magistrate judge without adverse substantive consequences. The forms are available at: http://cand.uscourts.gov/civilforms. Consent/Declination due by 11/12/2021. (mkl, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 10/29/2021) (Entered: 10/29/2021)
2021-11-019CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE 6 Summons U.S. Agency for International (Attorney General's Office) Aid by U.S. Right to Know (Doughty, Rachel) (Filed on 11/1/2021) Modified on 11/2/2021 (msr, COURT STAFF). Modified on 11/2/2021 (msr, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 11/01/2021)
2021-11-0110CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE 6 Summons U.S. Agency for International Aid by U.S. Right to Know (Doughty, Rachel) (Filed on 11/1/2021) Modified on 11/2/2021 (msr, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 11/01/2021)
2021-11-0111CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE 6 Summons U.S. Agency for International Aid (U.S. Attorney's Office) by U.S. Right to Know (Doughty, Rachel) (Filed on 11/1/2021) Modified on 11/2/2021 (msr, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 11/01/2021)
2021-11-0312CONSENT/DECLINATION to Proceed Before a US Magistrate Judge by U.S. Right to Know.. (Doughty, Rachel) (Filed on 11/3/2021) (Entered: 11/03/2021)
2021-11-0913STIPULATION WITH PROPOSED ORDER Continuing Responsive Pleading Deadline filed by U.S. Agency for International Aid. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Savith Iyengar)(Iyengar, Savith) (Filed on 11/9/2021) (Entered: 11/09/2021)
2021-11-0914ORDER by Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim granting 13 Stipulation to Continue Responsive Pleading Deadline. (mkl, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 11/9/2021) (Entered: 11/09/2021)
2021-11-0915CLERK'S NOTICE Re: Consent or Declination: Defendant shall file a consent or declination to proceed before a magistrate judge by 11/23/2021 . Note that any party is free to withhold consent to proceed before a magistrate judge without adverse substantive consequences. The forms are available at: http://cand.uscourts.gov/civilforms. Consent/Declination due by 11/23/2021. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (mkl, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 11/9/2021) (Entered: 11/09/2021)
2021-11-1616Erroneous Entry Motion for leave to appear in Pro Hac Vice ( Filing fee $ 317, receipt number ACANDC-16632328.) filed by U.S. Right to Know. (Doughty, Rachel) (Filed on 11/16/2021) Modified on 11/16/2021 (hdj, COURT STAFF). Modified on 11/17/2021 (msr, COURT STAFF). Modified on 11/17/2021 (msr, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 11/16/2021)
2021-11-1617Erroneous Entry MOTION for leave to appear in Pro Hac Vice ( Filing fee $ 317, receipt number ACANDC-16632328.) Filing fee previously paid on November 16, 2021 filed by U.S. Right to Know. (Snyder, Daniel) (Filed on 11/16/2021) Modified on 11/17/2021 (msr, COURT STAFF). Modified on 11/17/2021 (msr, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 11/16/2021)
2021-11-1618Amended MOTION for leave to appear in Pro Hac Vice ( Filing fee $ 317, receipt number ACANDC-16632328.) Filing fee previously paid on November 16, 2021 filed by U.S. Right to Know. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Certificate of Good Standing)(Snyder, Daniel) (Filed on 11/16/2021) (Entered: 11/16/2021)
2021-11-1819ORDER by Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim granting 18 Motion for Pro Hac Vice as to Daniel Snyder. (mkl, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 11/18/2021) (Entered: 11/18/2021)
2021-11-2320CONSENT/DECLINATION to Proceed Before a US Magistrate Judge by U.S. Agency for International Aid.. (Iyengar, Savith) (Filed on 11/23/2021) (Entered: 11/23/2021)
2021-11-2321CONSENT/DECLINATION to Proceed Before a US Magistrate Judge by U.S. Right to Know.. (Doughty, Rachel) (Filed on 11/23/2021) (Entered: 11/23/2021)
2021-12-1422CLERK'S NOTICE CONTINUING CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE AND SETTING HEARING BY ZOOM: The Initial Case Management Scheduling Order at docket no. 5 mistakenly set the Initial Case Management Conference for 1/17/2022 which is a Court holiday. Accordingly, the Initial Case Management Conference set for 1/17/2022 is continued to 1/31/2022 09:30 AM in San Francisco - Videoconference Only. Case Management Statement due by 1/24/2022. This proceeding will be held via a Zoom webinar. Webinar Access: All counsel, members of the public, and media may access the webinar information at https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/sk General Order 58. Persons granted ac cess to court proceedings held by telephone or videoconference are reminded that photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings, including screenshots or other visual copying of a hearing, is absolutely prohibited. Zoom Guidance and Setup: https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/zoom/ . (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (m kl, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/14/2021) (Entered: 12/14/2021)
2021-12-2023NOTICE of Substitution of Counsel by Douglas Earl Johns (Johns, Douglas) (Filed on 12/20/2021) (Entered: 12/20/2021)
2021-12-2724STIPULATION WITH PROPOSED ORDER TO CONTINUE INITIAL CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE AND CONTINUE RESPONSIVE PLEADING DEADLINE OF DEFENDANT filed by U.S. Agency for International Aid. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration DOUGLAS JOHNS)(Johns, Douglas) (Filed on 12/27/2021) (Entered: 12/27/2021)
2021-12-2725ORDER by Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim granting 24 Stipulation. 1. The Initial Case Management Conference scheduled for January 31, 2022, is continued to February 28, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. via videoconference on the Court's public Zoom channel. 2. Plaintiff, US Right to Know, and Defendant, United States Agency for International Aid, must file a Case Management Statement by February 21, 2022, and complete initial disclosures by that date. 3. Plaintiff and Defendant must meet and confer regarding initial disclosures, early settlement, ADR process selection, and a discovery plan by February 7, 2022. 4. Defendant must respond to Plaintiffs Complaint by January 28, 2022. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (Kim, Sallie) (Filed on 12/27/2021) Modified on 12/28/2021 (mkl, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 12/27/2021)
2021-12-28Set Deadlines/Hearings: Case Management Statement due by 2/21/2022. Initial Case Management Conference reset for 2/28/2022 01:30 PM in San Francisco - Videoconference Only. This proceeding will be held via a Zoom webinar. Webinar Access: All counsel, members of the public, and media may access the webinar information at https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/sk General Order 58. Persons granted access to court pr oceedings held by telephone or videoconference are reminded that photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings, including screenshots or other visual copying of a hearing, is absolutely prohibited. Zoom Guidance and Setup: https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/zoom/ . (mkl, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/28/2021) (Entered: 12/28/2021)
2022-01-2826DEFENDANTS ANSWER to Complaint OF PLAINTIFF byU.S. Agency for International Aid. (Johns, Douglas) (Filed on 1/28/2022) (Entered: 01/28/2022)
2022-02-1427ADR Clerks Notice re: Non-Compliance with Court Order. The parties have failed to file an ADR Certification as required by the Initial Case Management Scheduling Order. Counsel shall comply promptly with the requirements of ADR L.R. 3-5(b) and shall file the ADR Certification. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (cmf, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 2/14/2022) (Entered: 02/14/2022)
2022-02-1728ADR Certification (ADR L.R. 3-5 b) of discussion of ADR options (Snyder, Daniel) (Filed on 2/17/2022) (Entered: 02/17/2022)
2022-02-1829ADR Certification (ADR L.R. 3-5 b) of discussion of ADR options (Johns, Douglas) (Filed on 2/18/2022) (Entered: 02/18/2022)
2022-02-1830JOINT CASE MANAGEMENT STATEMENT [PROPOSED] ORDER filed by U.S. Agency for International Aid. (Johns, Douglas) (Filed on 2/18/2022) (Entered: 02/18/2022)
2022-02-2231ORDER AS MODIFIED CONTINUING CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE. Case Management Statement due by 5/27/2022. Initial Case Management Conference reset for 6/6/2022 01:30 PM in San Francisco - Videoconference Only. Signed by Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim on 2/22/2022. (mkl, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 2/22/2022) (Entered: 02/22/2022)
2022-04-0632STIPULATION WITH PROPOSED ORDER REGARDING CASE MANAGEMENT AND FOIA RECORD PRODUCTION filed by U.S. Agency for International Aid. (Johns, Douglas) (Filed on 4/6/2022) (Entered: 04/06/2022)
2022-04-1833ORDER as Modified by Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim granting 32 Stipulation Regarding Case Management and FOIA Record Production. Status Report due by 7/11/2022. Status Conference set for 7/18/2022 01:30 PM in San Francisco - Videoconference Only before Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim. (mkl, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 4/18/2022) (Entered: 04/18/2022)
2022-06-2234JOINT CASE MANAGEMENT STATEMENT [PROPOSED] ORDER filed by U.S. Agency for International Aid. (Johns, Douglas) (Filed on 6/22/2022) (Entered: 06/22/2022)
2022-06-2835ORDER granting 34 Stipulation to Continue Case Management Conference. Case Management Statement due by 10/11/2022. Initial Case Management Conference reset for 10/17/2022 01:30 PM in San Francisco - Videoconference Only. Signed by Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim on 6/28/2022. (mkl, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 6/28/2022) (Entered: 06/28/2022)
2022-09-2736JOINT CASE MANAGEMENT STATEMENT [PROPOSED] ORDER filed by U.S. Agency for International Aid. (Johns, Douglas) (Filed on 9/27/2022) (Entered: 09/27/2022)
2022-09-2837ORDER CONTINUING CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE. Signed by Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim on 9/28/2022. Case Management Statement due by 1/17/2023. Initial Case Management Conference set for 1/23/2023 01:30 PM in San Francisco - Videoconference Only. This proceeding will be held via a Zoom webinar. Webinar Access: All counsel, members of the public, and media may access the webinar information at https://www.cand.uscourts .gov/sk General Order 58. Persons granted access to court proceedings held by telephone or videoconference are reminded that photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings, including screenshots or other visual copying of a hearing, is absolutely prohibited. Zoom Guidance and Setup: https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/zoom/ . (mkl, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 9/28/2022) (Entered: 09/28/2022)
2022-11-2138MOTION to Substitute Attorney filed by U.S. Right to Know. (Snyder, Daniel) (Filed on 11/21/2022) (Entered: 11/21/2022)
2022-11-2239ORDER by Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim granting 38 Motion to Substitute Attorney.. (mkl, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 11/22/2022) (Entered: 11/22/2022)
2023-01-0440FURTHER JOINT CASE MANAGEMENT STATEMENT; [PROPOSED] ORDER filed by U.S. Agency for International Aid. (Johns, Douglas) (Filed on 1/4/2023) Modified on 1/5/2023 (kmg, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 01/04/2023)
2023-01-0641ORDER CONTINUING CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE. Signed by Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim on 1/6/2023. Case Management Statement due by 4/17/2023. Initial Case Management Conference reset for 4/24/2023 01:30 PM in San Francisco - Videoconference Only. This proceeding will be held via a Zoom webinar. Webinar Access: All counsel, members of the public, and media may access the webinar information at https://www.cand.uscour ts.gov/sk General Order 58. Persons granted access to court proceedings held by telephone or videoconference are reminded that photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings, including screenshots or other visual copying of a hearing, is absolutely prohibited. Zoom Guidance and Setup: https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/zoom/ . (mkl, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 1/6/2023) (Entered: 01/06/2023)
2023-03-3142JOINT CASE MANAGEMENT STATEMENT FURTHER JOINT CASE MANAGEMENT STATEMENT; [PROPOSED] ORDER filed by U.S. Agency for International Aid. (Johns, Douglas) (Filed on 3/31/2023) (Entered: 03/31/2023)
2023-04-0443ORDER CONTINUING CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE. Signed by Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim on 4/4/2023. Updated Case Management Statement due by 6/26/2023. Initial Case Management Conference reset for 7/10/2023 01:30 PM in San Francisco - Videoconference Only. This proceeding will be held via a Zoom webinar. Webinar Access: All counsel, members of the public, and media may access the webinar information at https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/sk General Order 58. Persons granted access to court proceedings held by telephone or videoconference are reminded that photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings, including screenshots or other visual copying of a hearing, is absolutely prohibited. Zoom Guidance and Setup: https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/zoom/ . (mkl, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 4/4/2023) (Entered: 04/04/2023)
2023-06-0644JOINT CASE MANAGEMENT STATEMENT Further Joint Case Management Statement; [Proposed] Order filed by U.S. Agency for International Aid. (Johns, Douglas) (Filed on 6/6/2023) (Entered: 06/06/2023)
2023-06-0645ORDER Continuing Case Management Conference. Signed by Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim on June 6, 2023. (Entered: 06/06/2023)
2023-06-07Set Deadlines/Hearings: Initial Case Management Conference reset for 9/25/2023 01:30 PM in San Francisco - Videoconference Only. Updated Case Management Statement due by 9/18/2023. This proceeding will be held via a Zoom webinar. Webinar Access: All counsel, members of the public, and media may access the webinar information at https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/sk General Order 58. Persons granted access to court proceedings held by telephone or videoconference are reminded that photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings, including screenshots or other visual copying of a hearing, is absolutely prohibited. Zoom Guidance and Setup: https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/zoom/ . (mkl, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 6/7/2023) (Entered: 06/07/2023)
2023-07-2446NOTICE by U.S. Right to Know of Unavailability of Counsel (Snyder, Daniel) (Filed on 7/24/2023) (Entered: 07/24/2023)
2023-09-1147JOINT CASE MANAGEMENT STATEMENT FURTHER JOINT CASE MANAGEMENT STATEMENT; [PROPOSED] ORDER filed by U.S. Agency for International Aid. (Johns, Douglas) (Filed on 9/11/2023) (Entered: 09/11/2023)
2023-09-1248ORDER CONTINUING CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE. Signed by Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim on 9/12/2023. Updated Case Management Statement due by 12/11/2023. Further Case Management Conference set for 12/18/2023 01:30 PM in San Francisco - Videoconference Only. This proceeding will be held via a Zoom webinar. Webinar Access: All counsel, members of the public, and media may access the webinar information at https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/sk General Order 58. Persons granted access to court proceedings held by telephone or videoconference are reminded that photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings, including screenshots or other visual copying of a hearing, is absolutely prohibited. Zoom Guidance and Setup: https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/zoom/ . (mkl, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 9/12/2023) (Entered: 09/12/2023)
2023-11-2949JOINT CASE MANAGEMENT STATEMENT FURTHER JOINT CASE MANAGEMENT STATEMENT; [PROPOSED] ORDER filed by U.S. Agency for International Aid. (Johns, Douglas) (Filed on 11/29/2023) (Entered: 11/29/2023)
2023-11-3050ORDER Further Continuing Case Management Conference. Signed by Judge Sallie Kim on November 30, 2023. (sklc1, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 11/30/2023) (Entered: 11/30/2023)
2023-11-30Set Deadlines/Hearings: Updated Case Management Statement due by 2/26/2024. Further Case Management Conference reset for 3/4/2024 01:30 PM in San Francisco - Videoconference Only. This proceeding will be held via a Zoom webinar. Webinar Access: All counsel, members of the public, and media may access the webinar information at https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/sk General Order 58. Persons granted access to court proceedings held by telephone or videoconference are reminded that photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings, including screenshots or other visual copying of a hearing, is absolutely prohibited. Zoom Guidance and Setup: https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/zoom/ . (mkl, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 11/30/2023) (Entered: 11/30/2023)
2024-02-2651STIPULATION STIPULATION OF SETTLEMENT AND DISMISSAL WITH PREJUDICE filed by U.S. Agency for International Aid. (Johns, Douglas) (Filed on 2/26/2024) (Entered: 02/26/2024)
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