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Case TitleLEOPOLD et al v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2021cv00786
Date Filed2021-03-24
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Christopher R. Cooper
PlaintiffJASON LEOPOLD
PlaintiffBUZZFEED INC.
Case DescriptionBuzzFeed reporter Jason Leopold submitted a FOIA request to the Department of Justice for records concerning communications between then President Donald Trump and then Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen pertaining to the results of the presidential election. Leopold also requested expedited processing. The agency components acknowledged receipt of the request. Some components granted expedited processing while others did not respond to Leopold's request for expedited processing. After hearing nothing further from the agency components, Leopold filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Attorney's fees

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

2021-03-241COMPLAINT against U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ( Filing fee $ 402 receipt number ADCDC-8326607) filed by JASON LEOPOLD, BUZZFEED INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1-7, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet, # 3 Summons)(Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 03/24/2021)
2021-03-24Case Assigned to Judge Christopher R. Cooper. (adh, ) (Entered: 03/24/2021)
2021-03-242NOTICE of Appearance by Matthew Topic on behalf of BUZZFEED INC., JASON LEOPOLD (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 03/24/2021)
2021-03-243SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(adh, ) (Entered: 03/24/2021)
2021-03-244LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by BUZZFEED INC. (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 03/24/2021)
2021-04-305RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE served on 4/5/2021 (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 04/30/2021)
2021-04-306RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 4/2/2021. (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 04/30/2021)
2021-04-307RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 4/2/2021. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 5/2/2021. (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 04/30/2021)
2021-05-038ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.(von Bokern, Jordan) (Entered: 05/03/2021)
2021-05-05MINUTE 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 shall file a joint proposed schedule for briefing or disclosure by May 19, 2021. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 05/05/2021. (lccrc3) (Entered: 05/05/2021)
2021-05-199Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (von Bokern, Jordan) (Entered: 05/19/2021)
2021-05-21MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 9 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file a further Joint Status Report on or before June 30, 2021. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 05/21/2021. (lccrc3) (Entered: 05/21/2021)
2021-06-3010Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (von Bokern, Jordan) (Entered: 06/30/2021)
2021-07-06MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 10 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file a further Joint Status Report on or before August 16, 2021. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 07/06/2021. (lccrc3) (Entered: 07/06/2021)
2021-08-1611Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (von Bokern, Jordan) (Entered: 08/16/2021)
2021-08-18In light of the 11 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file a further Joint Status Report on or before September 30, 2021. The Court will expect the next status report to provide more specific details on the production efforts of the various Department of Justice components at issue. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 08/18/2021. (lccrc3) (Entered: 08/18/2021)
2021-08-18Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/30/2021 (lsj) (Entered: 08/18/2021)
2021-09-3012Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (von Bokern, Jordan) (Entered: 09/30/2021)
2021-09-30MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 12 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file a further Joint Status Report on or before November 15, 2021. The Court encourages the parties to continue working together to narrow the requests, as reflected in this Joint Status Report. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 9/30/2021. (lccrc3) (Entered: 09/30/2021)
2021-11-1513Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Von Bokern, Jordan) (Entered: 11/15/2021)
2021-11-17MINUTE ORDER. In light of the 13 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file a further Joint Status Report on or before December 30, 2021. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 11/17/2021. (lccrc3) Modified to add event title on 12/7/2021 (znmw). (Entered: 11/17/2021)
2021-12-3014Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Von Bokern, Jordan) (Entered: 12/30/2021)
2022-01-04MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 14 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file a further Joint Status Report on or before February 14, 2022. The Court will expect the next status report to provide more specific details on the production efforts of the various Department of Justice components at issue. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 1/4/2022. (lccrc3) (Entered: 01/04/2022)
2022-02-1415Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Von Bokern, Jordan) (Entered: 02/14/2022)
2022-02-2216NOTICE of Appearance by Julie Straus Harris on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Straus Harris, Julie) (Entered: 02/22/2022)
2022-02-23MINUTE ORDER: The parties are directed to appear by video for a status conference on March 1, 2022, at 2 PM, before before Judge Christopher R. Cooper. Video connection information will be provided to the parties separately. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 2/23/2022. (lccrc3) (Entered: 02/23/2022)
2022-02-2817MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Josh Loevy, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-9070248. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by BUZZFEED INC., JASON LEOPOLD. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 02/28/2022)
2022-03-01Minute Entry for video Status Hearing held before Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 3/1/2022. Forthcoming Order. (Court Reporter: Lisa Moreira) (lsj) (Entered: 03/01/2022)
2022-03-01MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 15 Joint Status Report and the updates provided by the parties at today's status conference, the parties are hereby directed to file a further Joint Status Report on or before April 15, 2022. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 3/1/2022. (lccrc3) (Entered: 03/01/2022)
2022-03-03MINUTE ORDER granting 17 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice at to Josh Loevy. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to Local Civil Rule 83.6(a). Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 3/3/2022. (lccrc3) (Entered: 03/03/2022)
2022-03-0918NOTICE of Appearance by Joshua Loevy on behalf of BUZZFEED INC., JASON LEOPOLD (Loevy, Joshua) (Entered: 03/09/2022)
2022-04-1519Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Straus Harris, Julie) (Entered: 04/15/2022)
2022-04-18MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 19 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file a further Joint Status Report on or before June 15, 2022. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 4/18/2022. (lccrc3) (Entered: 04/18/2022)
2022-05-0520NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. Attorney Jordan Landrum Von Bokern terminated. (Von Bokern, Jordan) (Entered: 05/05/2022)
2022-06-1521Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Straus Harris, Julie) (Entered: 06/15/2022)
2022-06-17MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 21 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file a further Joint Status Report on or before August 10, 2022. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 6/17/2022. (lccrc3) (Entered: 06/17/2022)
2022-08-1022Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Straus Harris, Julie) (Entered: 08/10/2022)
2022-08-30MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 22 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file another Joint Status Report by October 7, 2022. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 08/30/2022. (lccrc3) (Entered: 08/30/2022)
2022-10-0723Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Straus Harris, Julie) (Entered: 10/07/2022)
2022-10-12MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 23 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file a further Joint Status Report on or before December 1, 2022. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 10/12/2022. (lccrc3) (Entered: 10/12/2022)
2022-12-0124Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Straus Harris, Julie) (Entered: 12/01/2022)
2022-12-01MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 24 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file a further Joint Status Report on or before January 26, 2023. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 12/1/2022. (lccrc3) (Entered: 12/01/2022)
2023-01-2625Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Straus Harris, Julie) (Entered: 01/26/2023)
2023-01-27MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 25 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file a further Joint Status Report on or before March 23, 2023. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 01/27/2023. (lccrc3) (Entered: 01/27/2023)
2023-01-27Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/23/2023. (nbn) (Entered: 01/30/2023)
2023-02-2826NOTICE of Appearance by Merrick Jason Wayne on behalf of BUZZFEED INC., JASON LEOPOLD (Wayne, Merrick) (Entered: 02/28/2023)
2023-03-2327Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Straus Harris, Julie) (Entered: 03/23/2023)
2023-03-23MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 27 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file a further Joint Status Report on or before May 18, 2023. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 03/23/2023. (lccrc3) (Entered: 03/23/2023)
2023-05-1828Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Straus Harris, Julie) (Entered: 05/18/2023)
2023-05-24MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 28 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file a further Joint Status Report on or before July 18, 2023. The parties are also hereby directed to appear for a status conference, via Zoom, on August 10, 2023 at 02:00 PM before Judge Christopher R. Cooper. Video connection information will be provided to the parties separately. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 05/24/2023. (lccrc3) (Entered: 05/24/2023)
2023-07-1729NOTICE of Appearance by James C. McGlinchy on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (McGlinchy, James) (Entered: 07/17/2023)
2023-07-1830Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (McGlinchy, James) (Entered: 07/18/2023)
2023-07-20MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 30 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file a further Joint Status Report on or before September 15, 2023. The parties are encouraged to discuss narrowing the EOUSA's production in light of the value of the information plaintiff has received thus far. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 07/20/2023. (lccrc3) (Entered: 07/20/2023)
2023-08-0431NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. Attorney Julie Straus Harris terminated. (Straus Harris, Julie) (Entered: 08/04/2023)
2023-08-10Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Christopher R. Cooper: Status Conference held on 8/10/2023 via video. (Court Reporter Lisa Moreira) (zglw) (Entered: 08/10/2023)
2023-09-1532Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (McGlinchy, James) (Entered: 09/15/2023)
2023-09-18MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 32 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file a further joint status report on or before November 15, 2023. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 9/18/2023. (lccrc3) (Entered: 09/18/2023)
2023-11-1533Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (McGlinchy, James) (Entered: 11/15/2023)
2023-11-15MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 33 parties' Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file a further joint status report by January 19, 2024. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 11/15/2023. (lccrc3) (Entered: 11/15/2023)
2024-01-1934Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (McGlinchy, James) (Entered: 01/19/2024)
2024-01-22MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 34 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file a further joint status report by April 19, 2024. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 1/22/2024. (lccrc3) (Entered: 01/22/2024)
2024-04-1935Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (McGlinchy, James) (Entered: 04/19/2024)
2024-04-22MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 35 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file a further joint status report by July 19, 2024. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 4/22/2024. (lccrc3) (Entered: 04/22/2024)
2024-07-1936Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (McGlinchy, James) (Entered: 07/19/2024)
2024-07-22MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 36 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file a further joint status report by October 22, 2024. The parties are also directed to confer on whether the scope of the EOUSA Review Population can be further narrowed. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 7/22/2024. (lccrc3) (Entered: 07/22/2024)
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