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Case TitleNATIONAL STUDENT LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2020cv01258
Date Filed2020-05-13
Date Closed2020-08-27
JudgeJudge Emmet G. Sullivan
PlaintiffNATIONAL STUDENT LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK
Case DescriptionThe National Student Legal Defense Network submitted a FOIA request to the Department of Education for records concerning communications with non-governmental parties pertaining to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking title Program Integrity: Gainful Employment. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request and told NSLDN that the request had been sent to multiple offices for processing. After hearing nothing further from the agency, NSLDN filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Vaughn index, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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

2020-05-131COMPLAINT against U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number ADCDC-7121639) filed by NATIONAL STUDENT LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons)(Lewis, Emma) Modified on 5/14/2020 to correct docket text (zsb). (Entered: 05/13/2020)
2020-05-132LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by NATIONAL STUDENT LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK (Lewis, Emma) Modified on 5/14/2020 to correct docket text (zsb). (Entered: 05/13/2020)
2020-05-14Case Assigned to Judge Emmet G. Sullivan. (adh, ) (Entered: 05/14/2020)
2020-05-143SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(adh, ) (Entered: 05/14/2020)
2020-05-144STANDING ORDER: The parties are directed to read the attached Standing Order Governing Civil Cases Before Judge Emmet G. Sullivan in its entirety upon receipt. The parties are hereby ORDERED to comply with the directives in the attached Standing Order. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 05/14/20. (Attachment: Exhibit 1) (mac) (Entered: 05/14/2020)
2020-05-155NOTICE of Appearance by Robyn K. Bitner on behalf of NATIONAL STUDENT LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK (Bitner, Robyn) (Entered: 05/15/2020)
2020-06-226ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.(Truong, John) (Entered: 06/22/2020)
2020-06-23MINUTE ORDER. Plaintiff brings this action pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act ("FOIA"), 5 U.S.C. § 552. The parties are directed to meet and confer and propose a joint scheduling order for further proceedings in this case by no later than July 14, 2020. The parties' joint proposed scheduling order shall address the following: (1) The status of Plaintiff's FOIA request; (2) The anticipated number of documents responsive to Plaintiff's FOIA request; (3) The anticipated date(s) for release of documents responsive to Plaintiff's FOIA request; (4) Whether a motion for an Open America stay is likely in this case; (5) Whether a Vaughn index will be required in this case; (6) Whether this case would benefit from referral to a magistrate judge or the District Court Mediation Program for purposes of settlement; and (7) A proposed briefing schedule for dispositive motions, if applicable. If the parties are unable to agree on a joint recommendation, the joint proposed scheduling order shall include each party's individual recommendations. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 6/23/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 06/23/2020)
2020-06-24Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Proposed Scheduling Order due by 7/14/2020. (mac) (Entered: 06/24/2020)
2020-07-147Joint STATUS REPORT by NATIONAL STUDENT LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK. (Lewis, Emma) (Entered: 07/14/2020)
2020-07-15MINUTE ORDER. In view of 7 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than August 28, 2020. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 7/15/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 07/15/2020)
2020-07-16Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/28/2020 (mac) (Entered: 07/16/2020)
2020-08-268STIPULATION of Dismissal by NATIONAL STUDENT LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK. (Lewis, Emma) (Entered: 08/26/2020)
2020-08-26MINUTE ORDER. In view of 8 STIPULATION of Dismissal, this action is dismissed without prejudice pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a)(1)(A)(ii). Each party shall bear its own fees and costs. The Clerk of Court is directed to close this case. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 8/26/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 08/26/2020)
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