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Case TitleREPORTERS COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS v. OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL et al
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2021cv01294
Date Filed2021-05-11
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Dabney L. Friedrich
PlaintiffREPORTERS COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS
Case DescriptionThe Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press submitted two FOIA requests to the Department of Justice for records concerning the agency's policies for obtaining information from the media. The Reporters Committee also requested a fee waiver. The agency acknowledged receipt of the requests but after hearing nothing further from the agency, the Reporters Committee filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantOFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
DefendantOFFICE OF THE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
DefendantOFFICE OF INFORMATION POLICY
DefendantUNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
Complaint attachment 5
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2021-05-111COMPLAINT against OFFICE OF INFORMATION POLICY, OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ( Filing fee $ 402 receipt number ADCDC-8440631) filed by REPORTERS COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Civil Cover Sheet, # 5 Summons)(Townsend, KatieLynn) (Entered: 05/11/2021)
2021-05-11Case Assigned to Judge Dabney L. Friedrich. (adh, ) (Entered: 05/11/2021)
2021-05-112SUMMONS (6) Issued Electronically as to OFFICE OF INFORMATION POLICY, OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(adh, ) (Entered: 05/11/2021)
2021-05-123STANDARD ORDER for civil cases. See text for details. Signed by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on May 12, 2021. (lcdlf3) (Entered: 05/12/2021)
2021-05-254RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 5/17/2021. ( Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 6/16/2021.), RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 5/17/21., RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. OFFICE OF INFORMATION POLICY served on 5/17/2021; OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL served on 5/17/2021; OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL served on 5/17/2021; UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE served on 5/17/2021 (Attachments: # 1 Combined Affidavits of Mailing)(Townsend, KatieLynn) (Entered: 05/25/2021)
2021-06-165ANSWER to Complaint by OFFICE OF INFORMATION POLICY, OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.(Gaffney, Michael) (Entered: 06/16/2021)
2021-06-166NOTICE of Appearance by Adam Alexander Marshall on behalf of REPORTERS COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS (Marshall, Adam) (Entered: 06/16/2021)
2021-06-16MINUTE ORDER directing the parties to MEET AND CONFER and file a joint status report proposing a schedule for further proceedings. The report should address the status of the plaintiff's FOIA request, including the anticipated number of documents responsive to the request and the anticipated date(s) for release of the requested documents. The parties shall file the joint status report on or before July 7, 2021. So ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on June 16, 2021. (lcdlf3) (Entered: 06/16/2021)
2021-06-16Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 7/7/2021 (zjch) (Entered: 06/17/2021)
2021-06-247NOTICE of Appearance by Gunita Singh on behalf of REPORTERS COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS (Singh, Gunita) (Entered: 06/24/2021)
2021-07-078Joint STATUS REPORT by OFFICE OF INFORMATION POLICY, OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gaffney, Michael) (Entered: 07/07/2021)
2021-07-08MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report on or before August 6, 2021. So ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on July 8, 2021. (lcdlf3) (Entered: 07/08/2021)
2021-07-08Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 8/6/2021 (zjch) (Entered: 07/08/2021)
2021-08-069Joint STATUS REPORT by REPORTERS COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. (Townsend, KatieLynn) (Entered: 08/06/2021)
2021-08-06MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report on or before October 6, 2021. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on August 6, 2021. (lcdlf3) (Entered: 08/06/2021)
2021-08-06Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 10/6/2021 (zjch) (Entered: 08/06/2021)
2021-10-0610Joint STATUS REPORT by OFFICE OF INFORMATION POLICY, OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gaffney, Michael) (Entered: 10/06/2021)
2021-10-06MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 10 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report on or before December 6, 2021. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on October 6, 2021. (lcdlf3) (Entered: 10/06/2021)
2021-12-0611Joint STATUS REPORT by OFFICE OF INFORMATION POLICY, OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gaffney, Michael) (Entered: 12/06/2021)
2021-12-07MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 11 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report on or before February 4, 2022. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on December 7, 2021. (lcdlf3) (Entered: 12/07/2021)
2022-02-0412Joint STATUS REPORT by REPORTERS COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. (Marshall, Adam) (Entered: 02/04/2022)
2022-02-04MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 12 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report on or before April 5, 2022. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on February 4, 2022. (lcdlf3) (Entered: 02/04/2022)
2022-04-0513Joint STATUS REPORT by OFFICE OF INFORMATION POLICY, OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gaffney, Michael) (Entered: 04/05/2022)
2022-04-05MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 13 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report on or before June 6, 2022. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on April 5, 2022. (lcdlf3) (Entered: 04/05/2022)
2022-06-0614Joint STATUS REPORT by OFFICE OF INFORMATION POLICY, OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gaffney, Michael) (Entered: 06/06/2022)
2022-06-07MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 14 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report on or before August 5, 2022. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on June 7, 2022. (lcdlf3) (Entered: 06/07/2022)
2022-08-0515Joint STATUS REPORT by OFFICE OF INFORMATION POLICY, OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gaffney, Michael) (Entered: 08/05/2022)
2022-08-05MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 15 Joint Status Report, they are directed to file another joint status report on or before September 2, 2022. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on August 5, 2022. (lcdlf3) (Entered: 08/05/2022)
2022-09-0216Joint STATUS REPORT by REPORTERS COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. (Townsend, KatieLynn) (Entered: 09/02/2022)
2022-09-02MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 16 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties complete summary judgment briefing on the following schedule: Defendants' motion shall be filed by October 27, 2022; Plaintiff's opposition and cross-motion shall be filed by December 16, 2022; Defendants' reply and opposition to the cross-motion shall be filed by January 20, 2023; and Plaintiff's reply in support of the cross-motion shall be filed by February 10, 2023. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on September 2, 2022. (lcdlf3) (Entered: 09/02/2022)
2022-09-02Set/Reset Deadlines: Cross Motions due by 12/16/2022. Response to Cross Motions due by 1/20/2023. Reply to Cross Motions due by 2/10/2023. Motions due by 10/27/2022. Responses due by 12/16/2022. Replies due by 1/20/2023. (zjch, ) (Entered: 09/02/2022)
2022-10-2517Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Summary Judgment Motions by OFFICE OF INFORMATION POLICY, OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Gaffney, Michael) (Entered: 10/25/2022)
2022-10-26MINUTE ORDER granting the defendants' 17 Motion for Extension of Time. It is ORDERED that the parties complete summary judgment briefing on the following schedule: Defendants' motion shall be filed by November 4, 2022; Plaintiff's opposition and cross-motion shall be filed by December 23, 2022; Defendants' reply and opposition to the cross-motion shall be filed by January 25, 2023; and Plaintiff's reply in support of the cross-motion shall be filed by February 17, 2023. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on October 26, 2022. (lcdlf2) (Entered: 10/26/2022)
2022-10-26Set/Reset Deadlines: Cross Motions due by 12/23/2022. Response to Cross Motions due by 1/25/2023. Reply to Cross Motions due by 2/17/2023. (zjch, ) (Entered: 10/27/2022)
2022-11-0418MOTION for Summary Judgment by OFFICE OF INFORMATION POLICY, OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Exhibit 1 (Brinkmann Declaration), # 3 Exhibit 2 (Seidel Declaration), # 4 Statement of Facts, # 5 Text of Proposed Order)(Gaffney, Michael) (Entered: 11/04/2022)
2022-12-1919Consent MOTION to Modify Briefing Schedule by REPORTERS COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. (Townsend, KatieLynn) (Entered: 12/19/2022)
2022-12-20MINUTE ORDER granting the defendants' 19 Motion for Extension of Time. It is ORDERED that the parties complete the remaining summary judgment briefing on the following schedule: Plaintiff's opposition and cross-motion shall be filed by January 23, 2023; Defendants' reply and opposition to the cross-motion shall be filed by March 2, 2023; and Plaintiff's reply in support of the cross-motion shall be filed by March 23, 2023. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on December 20, 2022. (lcdlf2) (Entered: 12/20/2022)
2022-12-20Set/Reset Deadlines: Cross Motions due by 1/23/2023. Response to Cross Motions due by 3/2/2023. Reply to Cross Motions due by 3/23/2023. (zsmc) (Entered: 12/20/2022)
2023-01-1720Consent MOTION to Modify Briefing Schedule by REPORTERS COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. (Townsend, KatieLynn) (Entered: 01/17/2023)
2023-01-18MINUTE ORDER granting the 20 Consent Motion for Extension of Time. It is ORDERED that the parties complete the remaining summary judgment briefing on the following schedule: Plaintiff's opposition and cross-motion shall be filed by March 6, 2023; Defendants' reply and opposition to the cross-motion shall be filed by April 10, 2023; and Plaintiff's reply in support of the cross-motion shall be filed by May 5, 2023. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on January 18, 2023. (lcdlf2) (Entered: 01/18/2023)
2023-01-18Set/Reset Deadlines: Opposition and Cross Motion due by 3/6/2023. Reply and Opposition to Cross Motion due by 4/10/2023. Reply in Support of the Cross Motion due by 5/5/2023. (smc) (Entered: 01/18/2023)
2023-02-2721Consent MOTION to Modify Briefing Schedule by REPORTERS COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. (Townsend, KatieLynn) (Entered: 02/27/2023)
2023-02-27MINUTE ORDER granting the plaintiff's 21 Consent Motion for Modification of Briefing Schedule. It is ORDERED that the parties complete the remaining summary judgment briefing on the following schedule: Plaintiff's opposition and cross-motion shall be filed by April 7, 2023; Defendants' reply and opposition to the cross-motion shall be filed by May 9, 2023; and Plaintiff's reply in support of the cross-motion shall be filed by June 2, 2023. No further extensions will be granted absent extraordinary circumstances or a motion to stay the case. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on February 27, 2023. (lcdlf2) (Entered: 02/27/2023)
2023-02-27Set/Reset Deadlines: Cross Motions due by 4/7/2023. Response to Cross Motions due by 5/9/2023. Reply to Cross Motions due by 6/2/2023. Response to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 4/7/2023. Reply to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 5/9/2023. (zjch, ) (Entered: 02/27/2023)
2023-03-3122Joint MOTION to Stay Case by REPORTERS COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. (Townsend, KatieLynn) (Entered: 03/31/2023)
2023-03-31MINUTE ORDER granting the parties' 22 Joint Motion to Stay. This case is STAYED. The parties are directed to file a joint status report on or before May 1, 2023 if a stipulation of dismissal is not filed before then. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on March 31, 2023. (lcdlf2) (Entered: 03/31/2023)
2023-05-0123Joint STATUS REPORT by OFFICE OF INFORMATION POLICY, OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gaffney, Michael) (Entered: 05/01/2023)
2023-05-01MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 23 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file a joint status report on or before May 31, 2023 if a stipulation of dismissal is not filed before then. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on May 1, 2023. (lcdlf2) (Entered: 05/01/2023)
2023-05-3124Joint STATUS REPORT by REPORTERS COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. (Townsend, KatieLynn) (Entered: 05/31/2023)
2023-05-31MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 24 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file a joint status report on or before June 30, 2023 if a stipulation of dismissal is not filed before then. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on May 31, 2023. (lcdlf2) (Entered: 05/31/2023)
2023-06-2125STIPULATION of Dismissal by REPORTERS COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. (Townsend, KatieLynn) (Entered: 06/21/2023)
2023-06-26MINUTE ORDER dismissing this case with prejudice in light of the parties' 25 Stipulation of Dismissal. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a). The Clerk of Court is directed to close this case. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on June 26, 2023. (lcdlf2) (Entered: 06/26/2023)
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