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Case TitleSPARACINO PLLC v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2019cv03136
Date Filed2019-10-18
Date Closed2021-08-04
JudgeJudge Amit P. Mehta
PlaintiffSPARACINO PLLC
Case DescriptionThe law firm of Sparacino PLLC, which represents individuals and families of individuals who had been killed or injured by terrorist attacks in Iraq, submitted four FOIA requests to the Department of Defense for records concerning the Iraqi Ministry of Health. The agency acknowledged receipt of the requests. After hearing nothing further from the agency, Sparacino PLLC filed suit.
Complaint issues: Litigation - Attorney's fees, Adequacy - Search, Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation - Vaughn index

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

2019-10-181COMPLAINT FOR VIOLATION OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT against U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number ADCDC-6462883) filed by SPARACINO PLLC. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons)(Cormier, Christopher) (Entered: 10/18/2019)
2019-10-21Case assigned to Judge Amit P. Mehta. (zmc) (Entered: 10/21/2019)
2019-10-212SUMMONS (1) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zmc) (Entered: 10/21/2019)
2019-10-253RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE served on 10/24/2019 (Cormier, Christopher) (Entered: 10/25/2019)
2019-10-254REQUEST FOR SUMMONS TO ISSUE to U.S. Attorney General and U.S. Attorney for District of Columbia filed by SPARACINO PLLC. (Attachments: # 1 Summons)(Cormier, Christopher) (Entered: 10/25/2019)
2019-10-295SUMMONS (2) Issued Electronically as to U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (jf) (Entered: 10/29/2019)
2019-12-056NOTICE of Appearance by Daniel Patrick Schaefer on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (Schaefer, Daniel) (Entered: 12/05/2019)
2019-12-057ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4)(Schaefer, Daniel) (Entered: 12/05/2019)
2019-12-068ORDER. Both a Complaint and an Answer are now before the court in this FOIA case. It is hereby ordered that the parties shall meet and confer and file a Joint Status Report on or before December 20, 2019. See attached Order for additional details. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 12/06/2019. (lcapm3) (Entered: 12/06/2019)
2019-12-06Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 12/20/2019. (zjd) (Entered: 12/06/2019)
2019-12-109RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 11/4/19. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Cormier, Christopher) (Entered: 12/10/2019)
2019-12-1010RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 11/5/2019. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 12/5/2019. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Cormier, Christopher) (Entered: 12/10/2019)
2019-12-1611MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Russell Herman, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-6649657. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by SPARACINO PLLC (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Russell Herman, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Cormier, Christopher) (Entered: 12/16/2019)
2019-12-17MINUTE ORDER granting 11 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Russell Herman is hereby admitted pro hac vice to appear in this matter. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 12/17/19. (lcapm3) (Entered: 12/17/2019)
2019-12-1912NOTICE of Appearance by Russell Guy Herman on behalf of SPARACINO PLLC (Herman, Russell) (Entered: 12/19/2019)
2019-12-2013Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Cormier, Christopher) (Entered: 12/20/2019)
2019-12-20MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by February 3, 2020, that updates the court on Defendant's search and production efforts. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 12/20/2019. (lcapm1) (Entered: 12/20/2019)
2020-02-0314Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Herman, Russell) (Entered: 02/03/2020)
2020-02-04MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by March 9, 2020, that updates the court on Defendant's search and production efforts. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 02/04/2020. (lcapm3) (Entered: 02/04/2020)
2020-02-04Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/9/2020 (zjch) (Entered: 02/04/2020)
2020-03-0615NOTICE of Appearance by LeElle Bruerea Slifer on behalf of SPARACINO PLLC (Slifer, LeElle) (Entered: 03/06/2020)
2020-03-0616NOTICE of Appearance by Daniel H. Charest on behalf of SPARACINO PLLC (Charest, Daniel) (Entered: 03/06/2020)
2020-03-0917Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Slifer, LeElle) (Entered: 03/09/2020)
2020-03-11MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by April 20, 2020, that updates the court on Defendant's search and production efforts. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 03/11/2020. (lcapm3) (Entered: 03/11/2020)
2020-03-11Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/20/2020. (zjd) (Entered: 03/17/2020)
2020-04-2018Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Slifer, LeElle) (Entered: 04/20/2020)
2020-04-20MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by May 20, 2020, that updates the court on Defendant's search and production efforts. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 04/20/2020. (lcapm3) (Entered: 04/20/2020)
2020-04-20Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 5/20/2020. (zjd) (Entered: 04/21/2020)
2020-05-2019Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Schaefer, Daniel) (Entered: 05/20/2020)
2020-05-21MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by June 19, 2020, that updates the court on Defendant's search and production efforts. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 05/21/2020. (lcapm3) (Entered: 05/21/2020)
2020-05-21Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/19/2020. (zjd) (Entered: 05/21/2020)
2020-06-1920Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Schaefer, Daniel) (Entered: 06/19/2020)
2020-06-19MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by August 14, 2020, that updates the court on Defendant's search and production efforts. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 06/19/2020. (lcapm3) (Entered: 06/19/2020)
2020-06-19Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/14/2020. (zjd) (Entered: 06/23/2020)
2020-07-0121NOTICE of Change of Address by Christopher J. Cormier (Cormier, Christopher) (Entered: 07/01/2020)
2020-08-1422Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Slifer, LeElle) (Entered: 08/14/2020)
2020-08-14MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by September 14, 2020, which identifies the scope of any remaining disputes and proposes a schedule for further proceedings, if necessary. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 08/14/2020. (lcapm3) (Entered: 08/14/2020)
2020-08-14Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/14/2020. (zjd) (Entered: 08/14/2020)
2020-09-1423Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Slifer, LeElle) (Entered: 09/14/2020)
2020-09-15MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by October 14, 2020, which identifies the scope of any remaining disputes and proposes a schedule for further proceedings, if necessary. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 09/15/2020. (lcapm3) (Entered: 09/15/2020)
2020-09-15Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/14/2020. (zjd) (Entered: 09/16/2020)
2020-10-1424Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Slifer, LeElle) (Entered: 10/14/2020)
2020-10-15MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by November 13, 2020, which identifies the scope of any remaining disputes and proposes a schedule for further proceedings, if necessary. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 10/15/2020. (lcapm3) (Entered: 10/15/2020)
2020-10-15Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/13/2020. (zjd) (Entered: 10/16/2020)
2020-11-1325Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Slifer, LeElle) (Entered: 11/13/2020)
2020-11-14MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by December 14, 2020, which identifies the scope of any remaining disputes and proposes a schedule for further proceedings, if necessary. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 11/14/2020. (lcapm3) (Entered: 11/14/2020)
2020-11-14Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 12/14/2020. (zjd) (Entered: 11/17/2020)
2020-12-1426Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Slifer, LeElle) (Entered: 12/14/2020)
2020-12-15MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by January 16, 2021, which identifies the scope of any remaining disputes and proposes a schedule for further proceedings, if necessary. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 12/15/2020. (lcapm3) (Entered: 12/15/2020)
2020-12-15Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/16/2021. (zjd) (Entered: 12/15/2020)
2021-01-1927Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Slifer, LeElle) (Entered: 01/19/2021)
2021-01-20MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by March 3, 2021, which identifies the scope of any remaining disputes and proposes a schedule for further proceedings, if necessary. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 1/20/2021. (lcapm3) (Entered: 01/20/2021)
2021-03-0328Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Slifer, LeElle) (Entered: 03/03/2021)
2021-03-04MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by April 2, 2021, which identifies the scope of any remaining disputes and proposes a schedule for further proceedings, if necessary. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 3/4/2021. (lcapm3) (Entered: 03/04/2021)
2021-04-0229Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Schaefer, Daniel) (Entered: 04/02/2021)
2021-04-03MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by May 3, 2021, which identifies the scope of any remaining disputes and proposes a schedule for further proceedings, if necessary. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 4/3/2021. (lcapm3) (Entered: 04/03/2021)
2021-05-0330Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Slifer, LeElle) (Entered: 05/03/2021)
2021-05-04MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by June 3, 2021, which identifies the scope of any remaining disputes and proposes a schedule for further proceedings, if necessary. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 5/4/2021. (lcapm3) (Entered: 05/04/2021)
2021-05-0431MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Dianne Landry, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-8424252. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by SPARACINO PLLC. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Dianne Landry in Further Support of Motion for Admission of Attorney Pro Hac Vice, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Slifer, LeElle) (Entered: 05/04/2021)
2021-05-05MINUTE ORDER. The court denies Plaintiff's 31 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice without prejudice. Ms. Landry's declaration does not address all of the requirements set forth in Local Civil Rule 83.2(d). Upon Ms. Landry's submission of an updated declaration, the court will reconsider the motion. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 5/5/2021. (lcapm3) (Entered: 05/05/2021)
2021-05-0532DECLARATION Revised Declaration of Dianne Landry in Further Support of Motion for Admission of Attorney Pro Hac Vice by SPARACINO PLLC re 31 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Dianne Landry, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-8424252. Fee Status: Fee Paid. filed by SPARACINO PLLC. (Slifer, LeElle) (Entered: 05/05/2021)
2021-05-06MINUTE ORDER granting 31 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Attorney Dianne Landry is hereby admitted pro hac vice to appear in this matter. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 5/6/2021. (lcapm3) (Entered: 05/06/2021)
2021-05-2533NOTICE of Appearance by Dianne Lisa Landry on behalf of SPARACINO PLLC (Landry, Dianne) (Entered: 05/25/2021)
2021-06-0334Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Slifer, LeElle) (Entered: 06/03/2021)
2021-06-03MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by July 6, 2021, which advises whether any disputes remain and, if so, proposes a schedule for further proceedings. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 6/3/2021. (lcapm3) (Entered: 06/03/2021)
2021-06-0435NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to SPARACINO PLLC. Attorney Russell Guy Herman terminated. (Charest, Daniel) (Entered: 06/04/2021)
2021-07-0636Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Slifer, LeElle) (Entered: 07/06/2021)
2021-07-07MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by August 6, 2021, which advises whether any disputes remain and, if so, proposes a schedule for further proceedings. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 7/7/2021. (lcapm3) (Entered: 07/07/2021)
2021-07-3037NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to SPARACINO PLLC. Attorney Dianne Lisa Landry terminated. (Charest, Daniel) (Entered: 07/30/2021)
2021-08-0438STIPULATION of Dismissal by SPARACINO PLLC. (Charest, Daniel) (Entered: 08/04/2021)
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