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Case TitleVan Der Hout LLP v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security et al
DistrictNorthern District of California
CitySan Francisco
Case Number3:2024cv01095
Date Filed2024-02-23
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge James Donato
PlaintiffVan Der Hout LLP
Case DescriptionVan Der Hout LLP, an immigration law firm, submitted a FOIA request to the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State for records concerning a Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Israel concerning immigration waivers. VDH also requested a fee waiver. The agencies acknowledged receipt of the requests but after hearing nothing further from the agencies, VDH filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Fees, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. Department of Homeland Security
DefendantU.S. Department of State
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Opinion/Order [12]
Opinion/Order [14]
Opinion/Order [17]
Opinion/Order [18]
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2024-02-231COMPLAINT against U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of State ( Filing fee $ 405, receipt number ACANDC-19152050.). Filed by Van Der Hout LLP. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet)(Sinodis, John) (Filed on 2/23/2024) (Entered: 02/23/2024)
2024-02-232Proposed Summons. (Sinodis, John) (Filed on 2/23/2024) (Entered: 02/23/2024)
2024-02-233Certificate of Interested Entities by Van Der Hout LLP (Sinodis, John) (Filed on 2/23/2024) (Entered: 02/23/2024)
2024-02-234Case assigned to Magistrate Judge Lisa J. Cisneros. 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. A scheduling order will be sent by Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) within two business days. Consent/Declination due by 3/8/2024. (kmg, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 2/23/2024) (Entered: 02/23/2024)
2024-02-235Initial Case Management Scheduling Order with ADR Deadlines: Case Management Statement due by 5/16/2024. Initial Case Management Conference set for 5/23/2024 01:30 PM in San Francisco, Courtroom G, 15th Floor. (msr, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 2/23/2024) (Entered: 02/23/2024)
2024-02-236Summons Issued as to U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of State. (msr, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 2/23/2024) (Entered: 02/23/2024)
2024-02-237MOTION for leave to appear in Pro Hac Vice ( Filing fee $ 328, receipt number ACANDC-19153444.) filed by Van Der Hout LLP. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Good Standing)(Shamas, Diala) (Filed on 2/23/2024) (Entered: 02/23/2024)
2024-02-238Order by Magistrate Judge Lisa J. Cisneros granting 7 Motion for Pro Hac Vice for Diala Shamas.(bns, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 2/23/2024) (Entered: 02/23/2024)
2024-02-239SUMMONS Returned Executed by Van Der Hout LLP. U.S. Department of Homeland Security served on 2/23/2024, answer due 4/23/2024; U.S. Department of State served on 2/23/2024, answer due 4/23/2024. (Sinodis, John) (Filed on 2/23/2024) (Entered: 02/23/2024)
2024-02-2310CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Van Der Hout LLP re 1 Complaint, 5 Initial Case Management Scheduling Order with ADR Deadlines, 3 Certificate of Interested Entities, 4 Case Assigned by Intake,, 6 Summons Issued (Sinodis, John) (Filed on 2/23/2024) (Entered: 02/23/2024)
2024-02-2611MOTION for leave to appear in Pro Hac Vice ( Filing fee $ 328, receipt number ACANDC-19157974.) filed by Van Der Hout LLP. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Certificate of Good Standing)(Godshall-Bennett, Christopher) (Filed on 2/26/2024) (Entered: 02/26/2024)
2024-02-2612Order by Magistrate Judge Lisa J. Cisneros granting 11 Motion for Pro Hac Vice for Christopher Godshall-Bennett.(bns, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 2/26/2024) (Entered: 02/26/2024)
2024-02-2713MOTION for leave to appear in Pro Hac Vice ( Filing fee $ 328, receipt number ACANDC-19161514.) filed by Van Der Hout LLP. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate/Proof of Service Certificate of Good Standing)(Fakhimi, Golnaz) (Filed on 2/27/2024) (Entered: 02/27/2024)
2024-02-2714Order by Magistrate Judge Lisa J. Cisneros granting 13 Motion for Pro Hac Vice for Golnaz Fakhimi.(bns, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 2/27/2024) (Entered: 02/27/2024)
2024-02-2715MOTION for leave to appear in Pro Hac Vice ( Filing fee $ 328, receipt number ACANDC-19164006.) filed by Van Der Hout LLP. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate/Proof of Service Certificate of Good Standing)(Raymond, Christine) (Filed on 2/27/2024) (Entered: 02/27/2024)
2024-02-2716MOTION for leave to appear in Pro Hac Vice ( Filing fee $ 328, receipt number ACANDC-19164676.) filed by Van Der Hout LLP. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Certificate of Good Standing)(Qureshi, Amber) (Filed on 2/27/2024) (Entered: 02/27/2024)
2024-02-2817Order by Magistrate Judge Lisa J. Cisneros granting 15 Motion for Pro Hac Vice for Christine Raymond.(bns, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 2/28/2024) (Entered: 02/28/2024)
2024-02-2818Order by Magistrate Judge Lisa J. Cisneros granting 16 Motion for Pro Hac Vice for Amber Qureshi.(bns, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 2/28/2024) (Entered: 02/28/2024)
2024-02-2919NOTICE of Appearance by Marc Van Der Hout (Van Der Hout, Marc) (Filed on 2/29/2024) (Entered: 02/29/2024)
2024-03-0820CONSENT/DECLINATION to Proceed Before a US Magistrate Judge by Van Der Hout LLP.. (Sinodis, John) (Filed on 3/8/2024) (Entered: 03/08/2024)
2024-03-0821CLERK'S NOTICE OF IMPENDING REASSIGNMENT TO A U.S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE: The Clerk of this Court will now randomly reassign this case to a District Judge because either (1) a party has not consented to the jurisdiction of a Magistrate Judge, or (2) time is of the essence in deciding a pending judicial action for which the necessary consents to Magistrate Judge jurisdiction have not been secured. You will be informed by separate notice of the district judge to whom this case is reassigned. ALL HEARING DATES PRESENTLY SCHEDULED BEFORE THE CURRENT MAGISTRATE JUDGE ARE VACATED AND SHOULD BE RE-NOTICED FOR HEARING BEFORE THE JUDGE TO WHOM THIS CASE IS REASSIGNED. This is a text only docket entry; there is no document associated with this notice. (bns, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 3/8/2024) (Entered: 03/08/2024)
2024-03-1122ORDER REASSIGNING CASE. Case reassigned using a proportionate, random, and blind system pursuant to General Order No. 44 to Judge Charles R. Breyer for all further proceedings. Magistrate Judge Lisa J. Cisneros no longer assigned to case, Notice: The assigned judge participates in the Cameras in the Courtroom Pilot Project. See General Order No. 65 and http://cand.uscourts.gov/cameras.. Signed by Clerk on 3/11/2024. (Attachments: # 1 Notice of Eligibility for Video Recording)(ark, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 3/11/2024) (Entered: 03/11/2024)
2024-03-1223ORDER OF RECUSAL. Signed by Judge Charles R. Breyer on 3/12/2024. (ls, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 3/12/2024) (Entered: 03/12/2024)
2024-03-1224ORDER REASSIGNING CASE. Case reassigned using a proportionate, random, and blind system pursuant to General Order No. 44 to Judge James Donato for all further proceedings. Judge Charles R. Breyer no longer assigned to case, Notice: The assigned judge participates in the Cameras in the Courtroom Pilot Project. See General Order No. 65 and http://cand.uscourts.gov/cameras. Signed by Clerk on 03/12/2024. (Attachments: # 1 Notice of Eligibility for Video Recording)(mbc, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 3/12/2024) (Entered: 03/12/2024)
2024-03-1325CASE MANAGEMENT SCHEDULING ORDER: Initial Case Management Conference set for 5/30/2024 10:00 AM in San Francisco, Courtroom 11, 19th Floor. Case Management Statement due by 5/24/2024. Signed by Judge James Donato on 3/13/2024. (lrc, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 3/13/2024) (Entered: 03/13/2024)
2024-03-2526NOTICE of Appearance by Shiwon Choe for Defendants (Choe, Shiwon) (Filed on 3/25/2024) (Entered: 03/25/2024)
2024-03-2527STIPULATION to Extend Time to Respond to Complaint filed by U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of State. (Choe, Shiwon) (Filed on 3/25/2024) (Entered: 03/25/2024)
2024-04-0428STIPULATION to Extend Time to Respond to Complaint filed by U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of State. (Choe, Shiwon) (Filed on 4/4/2024) (Entered: 04/04/2024)
2024-04-1729ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of State. (Choe, Shiwon) (Filed on 4/17/2024) (Entered: 04/17/2024)
2024-05-1030ADR 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 5/10/2024) (Entered: 05/10/2024)
2024-05-1031ADR Certification (ADR L.R. 3-5 b) of discussion of ADR options (Sinodis, John) (Filed on 5/10/2024) (Entered: 05/10/2024)
2024-05-1032ADR Certification (ADR L.R. 3-5 b) of discussion of ADR options (Choe, Shiwon) (Filed on 5/10/2024) (Entered: 05/10/2024)
2024-05-1633MOTION for leave to appear in Pro Hac Vice Matthew Vogel ( Filing fee $ 328, receipt number ACANDC-19423816.) Filing fee previously paid on 05/16/2024 filed by Van Der Hout LLP. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A: Louisiana Supreme Court Certificate of Good Standing)(Vogel, Matthew) (Filed on 5/16/2024) (Entered: 05/16/2024)
2024-05-1734ORDER by Judge James Donato granting 33 Motion for Pro Hac Vice as to Matthew Vogel.(lrc, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 5/17/2024) (Entered: 05/17/2024)
2024-05-2335JOINT CASE MANAGEMENT STATEMENT filed by Van Der Hout LLP. (Sinodis, John) (Filed on 5/23/2024) (Entered: 05/23/2024)
2024-05-2836ORDER. The case management conference set for May 30, 2024, is vacated, and the Court will issue a scheduling order. Signed by Judge James Donato on 5/28/2024. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (jdlc1, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 5/28/2024) (Entered: 05/28/2024)
2024-05-3137CASE MANAGEMENT SCHEDULING ORDER: Amended Pleadings due by 6/28/2024. Close of Fact Discovery due by 8/30/2024. Dispositive Motion due by 9/19/2024. Signed by Judge James Donato on 5/31/2024. (lrc, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 5/31/2024) Modified on 6/3/2024 (lrc, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 05/31/2024)
2024-08-0838NOTICE of Substitution of Counsel by Benjamin Joseph Wolinsky (Wolinsky, Benjamin) (Filed on 8/8/2024) (Entered: 08/08/2024)
2024-08-1339STIPULATION WITH PROPOSED ORDER Stipulated Request to Set Amended Briefing Schedule and Hearing Date and [Proposed] Order filed by Van Der Hout LLP. (Sinodis, John) (Filed on 8/13/2024) (Entered: 08/13/2024)
2024-08-2140ORDER re 39 Stipulated Request to Set Amended Briefing Schedule and Hearing Date. The request to advance dates is denied. Signed by Judge James Donato on 8/21/2024. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (jdlc2, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 8/21/2024) (Entered: 08/21/2024)
2024-09-1941MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by Van Der Hout LLP. Motion for Summary Judgment Hearing set for 12/5/2024 10:00 AM in San Francisco, Courtroom 11, 19th Floor before Judge James Donato. Responses due by 10/17/2024. Replies due by 11/7/2024. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order, # 2 Declaration, # 3 Exhibit, # 4 Exhibit, # 5 Exhibit, # 6 Exhibit, # 7 Exhibit, # 8 Exhibit, # 9 Exhibit, # 10 Exhibit, # 11 Exhibit, # 12 Exhibit, # 13 Exhibit, # 14 Exhibit, # 15 Exhibit, # 16 Exhibit, # 17 Exhibit, # 18 Exhibit, # 19 Exhibit)(Sinodis, John) (Filed on 9/19/2024) (Entered: 09/19/2024)
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by FOIA Project Staff
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