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Case TitleNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2020cv02217
Date Filed2020-08-12
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Trevor N. McFadden
PlaintiffNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION
Case DescriptionThe National Council for Adoption submitted ten FOIA requests to the Department of State for records concerning the agency's relationship with the Intercountry Adoption Accreditation and Maintenance Entity and its selection as the accrediting entity for adoption providers. NCA also requested expedited processing and a fee waiver. The agency denied NCA's request for expedited processing and deferred a decision of NCA's fee waiver request. NCA filed an administrative appeal of the agency's denial of its expedited processing request. The agency upheld its original denial. After hearing nothing further from the agency pertaining to any of its requests, NCA filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
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

2020-08-121COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number ADCDC-7454905) filed by NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons)(Wolverton, Caroline) (Entered: 08/12/2020)
2020-08-12Case Assigned to Judge Trevor N. McFadden. (zsb) (Entered: 08/12/2020)
2020-08-122SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zsb) (Entered: 08/12/2020)
2020-08-123STANDING ORDER Establishing Procedures for Cases Before Judge Trevor N. McFadden. The parties are hereby ORDERED to read and comply with the directives in the attached standing order. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 8/12/2020. (lctnm3) (Entered: 08/12/2020)
2020-08-244NOTICE of Appearance by April Denise Seabrook on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE (Seabrook, April) (Entered: 08/24/2020)
2020-08-315RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 8/13/2020. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 9/12/2020. (Wolverton, Caroline) (Entered: 08/31/2020)
2020-08-316RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 8/18/2020. (Wolverton, Caroline) (Entered: 08/31/2020)
2020-08-317RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE served on 8/31/2020 (Wolverton, Caroline) (Entered: 08/31/2020)
2020-09-148ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE.(Seabrook, April) (Entered: 09/14/2020)
2020-09-14MINUTE ORDER. Before the Court are a complaint and an answer in this FOIA case. It is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall meet and confer and file a Joint Status Report proposing a schedule for proceeding in this matter. The schedule should address, among other things, the status of Plaintiff's FOIA request, the anticipated number of documents responsive to Plaintiff's FOIA request, the anticipated date(s) for release of the documents requested by Plaintiff, whether a motion for an Open America stay is likely in this case, whether a Vaughn index will be required in this case, and a briefing schedule for dispositive motions, if required. The parties shall file the schedule on or before October 5, 2020. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 9/14/2020. (lctnm3) (Entered: 09/14/2020)
2020-09-15Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/5/2020. (hmc) (Entered: 09/15/2020)
2020-10-059Joint STATUS REPORT by NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Gangwer, Jason) (Entered: 10/05/2020)
2020-10-06MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 9 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file another Joint Status Report on or before November 5, 2020. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 10/6/2020. (lctnm3) (Entered: 10/06/2020)
2020-10-06Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/5/2020. (hmc) (Entered: 10/06/2020)
2020-11-0510Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Seabrook, April) (Entered: 11/05/2020)
2020-11-05MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 10 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file another Joint Status Report on or before December 8, 2020. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 11/5/2020. (lctnm3) (Entered: 11/05/2020)
2020-11-06Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 12/8/2020. (hmc) (Entered: 11/06/2020)
2020-12-0811Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Seabrook, April) (Entered: 12/08/2020)
2020-12-09MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 11 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file another Joint Status Report on or before January 12, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 12/9/2020. (lctnm3) (Entered: 12/09/2020)
2020-12-09Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/12/2021. (hmc) (Entered: 12/09/2020)
2021-01-1212Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Seabrook, April) (Entered: 01/12/2021)
2021-01-13MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 12 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file another Joint Status Report on or before February 11, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 1/13/2021. (lctnm3) (Entered: 01/13/2021)
2021-01-13Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 2/11/2021. (hmc) (Entered: 01/13/2021)
2021-02-1113Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Seabrook, April) (Entered: 02/11/2021)
2021-02-12MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 13 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file another Joint Status Report on or before March 30, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 2/12/2021. (lctnm3) (Entered: 02/12/2021)
2021-02-12Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/30/2021. (hmc) (Entered: 02/12/2021)
2021-03-0514NOTICE of Appearance by Jason Gangwer on behalf of NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION (Gangwer, Jason) (Main Document 14 replaced on 3/5/2021) (zeg). (Entered: 03/05/2021)
2021-03-0515Unopposed MOTION to Amend/Correct 1 Complaint, by NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Proposed First Amended Complaint, # 2 Exhibit Redline of First Amended Complaint, # 3 Text of Proposed Order)(Gangwer, Jason) (Entered: 03/05/2021)
2021-03-05MINUTE ORDER granting Plaintiff's 15 Unopposed Motion to Amend/Correct 1 Complaint. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a)(2), (d). The Clerk of Court shall docket ECF No. 15-1 as Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint. It is further ORDERED that Defendant shall respond to Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint by April 5, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 3/5/2021. (lctnm3) (Entered: 03/05/2021)
2021-03-0516AMENDED COMPLAINT against U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE filed by NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION.(eg) (Entered: 03/08/2021)
2021-03-08Set/Reset Deadlines: Defendant's response to the First Amended Complaint due by 4/5/2021. (hmc) (Entered: 03/08/2021)
2021-03-3017Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Seabrook, April) (Entered: 03/30/2021)
2021-03-31MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 17 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file another Joint Status Report on or before May 13, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 3/31/2021. (lctnm3) (Entered: 03/31/2021)
2021-03-31Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 5/13/2021. (hmc) (Entered: 03/31/2021)
2021-04-0518ANSWER to 16 Amended Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE.(Seabrook, April) (Entered: 04/05/2021)
2021-04-0619NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Stephen DeGenaro on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Substituting for attorney April Seabrook (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 04/06/2021)
2021-05-1320Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 05/13/2021)
2021-05-13MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 20 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file another Joint Status Report on or before June 28, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 5/13/2021. (lctnm3) (Entered: 05/13/2021)
2021-05-13Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/28/2021. (hmc) (Entered: 05/13/2021)
2021-06-2821Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 06/28/2021)
2021-06-29MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 21 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file another Joint Status Report on or before August 12, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 6/29/2021. (lctnm3) (Entered: 06/29/2021)
2021-06-29Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/12/2021. (zhmc) (Entered: 06/29/2021)
2021-08-1222Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 08/12/2021)
2021-08-13MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 22 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file another Joint Status Report on or before September 27, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 8/13/2021. (lctnm3) (Entered: 08/13/2021)
2021-08-13Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/27/2021. (ztg) (Entered: 08/13/2021)
2021-09-2723Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 09/27/2021)
2021-09-28MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 23 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file another Joint Status Report on or before November 15, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 9/28/2021. (lctnm3) (Entered: 09/28/2021)
2021-09-28Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/15/2021. (hmc) (Entered: 09/28/2021)
2021-11-1524Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 11/15/2021)
2021-11-16MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the Parties' 24 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file another Joint Status Report on or before January 11, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 11/16/2021. (lctnm3) Modified on 11/16/2021 to edit year (hmc). (Entered: 11/16/2021)
2021-11-16Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/11/2022. (hmc) (Entered: 11/16/2021)
2022-01-1125Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 01/11/2022)
2022-01-12MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the Parties' 25 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall submit another Joint Status Report on or before March 14, 2022, and every 60 days thereafter until production is complete. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 1/12/2022. (lctnm3) (Entered: 01/12/2022)
2022-01-13Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/14/2022. (hmc) (Entered: 01/13/2022)
2022-03-1426Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 03/14/2022)
2022-05-1327Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 05/13/2022)
2022-07-1228Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 07/12/2022)
2022-09-0929Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 09/09/2022)
2022-10-0430MOTION for Order for Status Conference by NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Wolverton, Caroline) (Entered: 10/04/2022)
2022-10-0431Memorandum in opposition to re 30 Motion for Order for Status Conference filed by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 10/04/2022)
2022-10-04MINUTE ORDER denying 30 Motion for Order for Status Conference. Addressing the propriety of Defendant's redactions at this time would be premature and therefore no status conference is warranted. The parties shall continue to file Joint Status Reports every 60 days until production is complete, per this Courts January 12, 2022 Minute Order. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 10/4/2022. (lctnm3) (Entered: 10/04/2022)
2022-11-0832Joint STATUS REPORT by NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION. (Wolverton, Caroline) (Entered: 11/08/2022)
2023-01-0933Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 01/09/2023)
2023-03-1034Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 03/10/2023)
2023-05-0935Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Walker, Anna) (Entered: 05/09/2023)
2023-07-1036Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 07/10/2023)
2023-09-0837Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 09/08/2023)
2023-11-0838Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 11/08/2023)
2024-01-0839Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 01/08/2024)
2024-03-0840Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 03/08/2024)
2024-05-0741Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 05/07/2024)
2024-07-0242Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 07/02/2024)
2024-08-3043Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 08/30/2024)
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