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Case TitleJUDICIAL WATCH, INC. v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2017cv01624
Date Filed2017-08-11
Date Closed2018-08-13
JudgeJudge Ketanji Brown Jackson
PlaintiffJUDICIAL WATCH, INC.
Case DescriptionJudicial Watch submitted a FOIA request to the FBI for records concerning non-disclosure agreements signed by former FBI Director James Comey. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request, but after hearing nothing further from the agency, Judicial Watch filed suit.
Complaint issues: Litigation - Vaughn index, Adequacy - Search, Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2017-08-111COMPLAINT against U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0090-5070865) filed by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons US Attorney, # 3 Summons US Attorney General, # 4 Summons Department of Justice)(Peterson, James) (Entered: 08/11/2017)
2017-08-112LCvR 7.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. (Peterson, James) (Entered: 08/11/2017)
2017-08-11Case Assigned to Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. (md) (Entered: 08/11/2017)
2017-08-113SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice of Consent) (md) (Entered: 08/11/2017)
2017-08-144GENERAL ORDER AND GUIDELINES FOR CIVIL CASES BEFORE JUDGE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON. The Court will hold the parties and counsel responsible for following these directives, and parties and counsel should pay particular attention to the Courts instructions for briefing motions and filing exhibits. Failure to adhere to this Order may, when appropriate, result the imposition of sanctions and/or sua sponte denial of non-conforming motions. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 8/14/2017. (lckbj1) (Entered: 08/14/2017)
2017-08-285RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 8/21/2017. ( Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 9/20/2017.), RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 8/21/2017., RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE served on 8/21/2017 (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Cristina Rotaru)(Peterson, James) (Entered: 08/28/2017)
2017-08-316NOTICE of Appearance by William Mark Nebeker on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Nebeker, William) (Entered: 08/31/2017)
2017-09-207ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.(Nebeker, William) (Entered: 09/20/2017)
2017-09-20MINUTE ORDER. Before the Court in this FOIA case are a complaint and an answer. It is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall promptly confer and file a joint proposed schedule for briefing or disclosure, on or before 10/4/2017. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 09/20/2017. (lckbj1) (Entered: 09/20/2017)
2017-10-048Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Nebeker, William) (Entered: 10/04/2017)
2017-10-04MINUTE ORDER. Based on the representations in the parties' 8 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further status report on or before 11/3/2017. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 10/4/2017. (lckbj1) (Entered: 10/04/2017)
2017-11-039Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Nebeker, William) (Entered: 11/03/2017)
2017-11-08MINUTE ORDER. It is hereby ORDERED that Defendant shall produce responsive records to Plaintiff on or before 12/18/2017, and that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before 1/8/2018, which shall contain a proposed schedule for further proceedings if litigation is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 11/8/2017. (lckbj1) (Entered: 11/08/2017)
2017-12-1510MOTION for Extension of Time to Complete Production of Documents by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Nebeker, William) (Entered: 12/15/2017)
2017-12-19MINUTE ORDER granting, for good cause shown, 10 Motion for Enlargement of Time. It is hereby ORDERED that Defendant shall complete its production of documents in this case on or before 1/17/2018, and that the parties shall file a status report, which shall include a proposed schedule for further proceedings if litigation is going to be necessary, on or before 2/7/2018. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 12/19/2017. (lckbj1) (Entered: 12/19/2017)
2018-02-0711Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Joint Status Report by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Nebeker, William) (Entered: 02/07/2018)
2018-02-12MINUTE ORDER granting, for good cause shown, 11 Consent Motion for Extension of Time to File Status Report, nunc pro tunc. It is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file their joint status report and proposed schedule for further proceedings on or before 2/21/2018. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 2/12/2018. (lckbj1) (Entered: 02/12/2018)
2018-02-2112Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Nebeker, William) (Entered: 02/21/2018)
2018-02-22MINUTE ORDER. Based on the representations in the parties' 12 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before 3/8/2018, which shall contain a proposed schedule for further proceedings if litigation is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 2/22/2018. (lckbj1) (Entered: 02/22/2018)
2018-03-0813Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Nebeker, William) (Entered: 03/08/2018)
2018-03-09MINUTE ORDER. This Court's practice is not to permit or require briefing in FOIA cases until the completion of negotiations regarding the scope of searches and the production of any documents. Accordingly, and in light of the representations in the parties' 13 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further status report on or before 4/9/2018, which shall contain a proposed schedule for further proceedings if litigation is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 03/09/2018. (lckbj1) (Entered: 03/09/2018)
2018-04-0914Joint STATUS REPORT by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Peterson, James) (Entered: 04/09/2018)
2018-04-13MINUTE ORDER adopting the parties proposed schedule. It is hereby ORDERED that the following deadlines are set in this matter: Defendant's motion for summary judgment is due on or before 05/16/2018; Plaintiff's consolidated opposition and cross-motion for summary judgment is due on or before 6/18/2018; Defendant's consolidated reply and cross-motion opposition is due on or before 7/18/2018; and Plaintiff's cross-motion reply is due on or before 8/13/2018. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 04/13/2018. (lckbj1) (Entered: 04/13/2018)
2018-05-1415MOTION for Extension of Time to File Vaughn Index and Dispositive Motion by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Nebeker, William) (Entered: 05/14/2018)
2018-05-1516SUPPLEMENTAL MEMORANDUM to re 15 MOTION for Extension of Time to File Vaughn Index and Dispositive Motion filed by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Nebeker, William) (Entered: 05/15/2018)
2018-05-17MINUTE ORDER granting, for good cause shown, 15 Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to File Vaughn Index and Dispositive Motion. It is hereby ORDERED that the briefing schedule in this matter is modified as follows: Defendant's Vaughn Index and motion for summary judgment are due on or before 5/24/2018; Plaintiff's consolidated opposition and cross-motion for summary judgment is due on or before 6/26/2018; Defendant's consolidated reply and cross-motion opposition is due on or before 7/26/2018; and Plaintiff's cross-motion reply is due on or before 8/21/2018. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 05/17/2018. (lckbj1) (Entered: 05/17/2018)
2018-05-2417MOTION to Dismiss , MOTION for Summary Judgment by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Attachments: # 1 Declaration David M. Hardy, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Nebeker, William) (Entered: 05/24/2018)
2018-05-2918ERRATA by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 17 MOTION to Dismiss MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration David M. Hardy (with attachments))(Nebeker, William) (Entered: 05/29/2018)
2018-06-2519Unopposed MOTION to Modify Briefing Schedule by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Peterson, James) (Entered: 06/25/2018)
2018-06-2920Memorandum in opposition to re 17 MOTION to Dismiss MOTION for Summary Judgment with Response to Statement of Material Facts filed by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Peterson, James) (Entered: 06/29/2018)
2018-06-2921Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment with Statement of Material Facts by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Peterson, James) (Entered: 06/29/2018)
2018-07-02MINUTE ORDER granting, for good cause shown, 19 Unopposed Motion to Modify Briefing Schedule, nunc pro tunc. It is hereby ORDERED that Plaintiff's Opposition to Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment and any Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment is accepted as timely, that Defendants' Consolidated Reply in Support of their Motion for Summary Judgment and Opposition to Plaintiff's Cross-Motion is due on or before 7/24/2018, and that Plaintiff's Reply in Support of its Cross Motion is due on or before 8/7/2018. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 07/02/2018. (lckbj1) (Entered: 07/02/2018)
2018-07-02Set/Reset Deadlines: Reply to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 7/24/2018. (gdf) (Entered: 07/02/2018)
2018-07-2322Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 17 MOTION to Dismiss MOTION for Summary Judgment , 21 Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment with Statement of Material Facts by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Nebeker, William) (Entered: 07/23/2018)
2018-07-31MINUTE ORDER granting, for good cause shown, 22 Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time. It is hereby ORDERED that Defendants' Consolidated Reply in Support of their Motion for Summary Judgment and Opposition to Plaintiff's Cross-Motion is due on or before 7/31/2018, and that Plaintiff's Reply in Support of its Cross Motion is due on or before 8/14/2018. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 07/31/2018. (lckbj1) (Entered: 07/31/2018)
2018-07-3123Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 17 MOTION to Dismiss MOTION for Summary Judgment , 21 Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment with Statement of Material Facts by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Nebeker, William) (Entered: 07/31/2018)
2018-08-03MINUTE ORDER granting, for good cause shown, 23 Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time, nunc pro tunc. It is hereby ORDERED that Defendants' Consolidated Reply in Support of their Motion for Summary Judgment and Opposition to Plaintiff's Cross-Motion is due on or before 8/14/2018, and that Plaintiff's Reply in Support of its Cross Motion is due on or before 8/28/2018. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 08/03/2018. (lckbj1) (Entered: 08/03/2018)
2018-08-1324STIPULATION of Dismissal by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Peterson, James) (Entered: 08/13/2018)
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